docB

I have a 55g planted tank 2 months old.
It has always seemed to be not what I would call cloudy/hazy/algae bloom but just consistently has a lot of sediment or smaller than a pinhead particles throughout the tank so it never appears "clear" (This is hard to explain - I'll try a picture later)
I use an AquaClear70 filter with just the biomass and sponge (carbon removed)
The plant leaves have a fair amount of sediment layered on them every day - seems more than normal. Is that size filter inadequate- specs say its adequate.
I do water changes/vacuum about twice a week

Chemistry a few days ago:
ammonia .8
nitrite .25
nitrate 10ppm
pH 7.8
temp 80

Fish:
3 cory cats
2 oto cats
7 whiteclouds

alicem

You are probably aware that your tank is still cycling. When the cycle is complete your ammonia will be 0, nitrItes 0 and showing nitrAtes.
When the cycle is complete, try to keep nitrAtes under 20ppm with water changes.
I'm not trying to lecture you or anything, I just wanted to be sure you understood.

With a "new" tank, things are a little dicey at first.
Things can go wrong fast because the tank's bio system is delicate and easily sent off balance.

If your water has small particles in it, you can try a couple of things:

Put some filter floss in the filter to "polish" the water and get the small stuff out.
I use quilt batting sold in bagged rolled sheets. You'll find it in the sewing department in places like Walmart, etc.
Cut to fit and place a layer or two under the ceramic bio thinges in your AC.

Also, be sure the water level is up high enough to the filter. It may be mico bubbles that you are seeing.
The filter will be quieter with the water level high, too.

If you could swing it, add another AC70. Set one up all the way to the left and the second on the right of the center brace (against it).
I have 2 ACs this size, set up like this, running on my 40G aquarium and they do a great job.
I like the redundancy of running 2 filters, mainly because I can alternate filter cleanings (one every other week, after your tank is cycled).
There's less chance of accidently disrupting all the good bacteria alternating them like that.

Be sure to vac the substrate when you do partial water changes.
With your planted tank you may not want to deep gravel clean too near the rooted plants.
You can "hoover" the end of the syphon hose 1/2 - 1 inch above the substrate to lift the small bits and poo up and out of the tank.
I've also used a turkey baister to "poof" at the poo from around decor being sure to suction it up and out during partial water changes.

I hope some of this helps your situation.
alicem