I had the same issue! I had a waterfall fat pumped the water from the bottom up and over some rocks....but now the waters nasty how do I clean it with out dismantling my tank I ended up getting rid of the water fall completely and just going with hydro balls and a layer of moss on top with potted plants....it looks great easy to clean bought an all in one waterfall....but I want a river n stuff uggg...I see all these epic vivariums! I want my cage to look glorious!