A cry for help (pix included)

vblue

vblue

New Member
55 gallon non-drilled
HOB Super Skimmer 125
65watt 10,000K pc
2 ea, 600 watt power heads
This is my first go round with salt water. I set the tank up in June of '07 and it ran great until December. Then everything went wrong. I replaced my light bulb, added the skimmer (had previously been running a Marineland c-360 canister) disconnected the canister, and re-stocked my cleanup crew with 10 blueleg hermits, 15 astreas, and 5 peppermint shrimp. The rock and glass is doing much better, but as the pix show, there is still a ton of algae on the sand. If I pick it all off, it will be back again in two days.
Water parameters:
sg 1.023
calcium -won't register, too high
ammonia - 0.25
nitrite - 0.25
nitrate - 0
This is according to a water test done yesterday by my LFS.
I added an algae blenny, and a golden head sleeper goby 2 weeks ago. They're both dead (found my shrimp eating them)
I feed 1/2 of a frozen cube every other day.
Anyone, everyone, please help. How can I get my tank back? p.s. sorry for the reflection in the pix.
Thanks.




 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
Dumb question: Why did you quit using your canister filter? Did your LFS tell you to? I'd connect the canister filter back on because you need more than just your skimmer to keep the water clean. At least we run a Magnum 350 + skimmer + fluidized sand bed filter in our 55g.
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
What's your source for water, salt and fresh? How often do you do water changes? Do you have your own test kit?? What equipment are you using for filtration besides the skimmer??
 
vblue

vblue

New Member
I disconnected the canister filter after reading the 101 saltwater aquarium tips on this site. It reccommends only using a skimmer and live rock for filtration (as I understood it anyway). I top off with RO water and mix with Instant Ocean as needed. I've never used tap water. So you think I should re-connect the filter then? Any other ideas or input? What kind of algae is this that is growing? Why don't the crabs eat it?
 
coraljunky

coraljunky

Active Member
Originally Posted by vblue
http:///forum/post/2553436
I disconnected the canister filter after reading the 101 saltwater aquarium tips on this site. It reccommends only using a skimmer and live rock for filtration (as I understood it anyway). I top off with RO water and mix with Instant Ocean as needed. I've never used tap water. So you think I should re-connect the filter then? Any other ideas or input? What kind of algae is this that is growing? Why don't the crabs eat it?
It's not algae, it's bacteria. How often/how much do you feed? How often/how much are water changes??
 
mcbdz

mcbdz

Active Member
Looks like cynobacteria.

You also need to check your phosphates.
Don't add anything else until you get your tank back in shape. I would reconnect the canister with all new media, run some carbon and maybe phosban.
Do a 20% water change, but first check you new water and make sure it tests good before adding. I ended up getting lazy and stopped checking my ro water and after I had a crash went and checked new ro water and it had phosphates at 4
I was getting it from a walmart that started out being 0. Don't know how long I was adding phosphates.

Then maybe do 10% water changes weekly until you know it will stay stable again.
 
vblue

vblue

New Member
I've got two 600Watt power heads. One is in the bottom left corner pointed up (you can see it in the pix) The other is in the top right corner pointed down. So it sounds like the game plan to fix my tank is re-connect the canister filter with new media (is ceramic a good choice?) and some fresh carbon. Can I just rinse the existing media? Do I leave the bio-balls alone? I'm only feeding 1/2 cube of frozen shrimp every other day. My peppermint shrimp are going psycho and starting to eat my snails. Do I need to get rid of a few or feed more often? Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to have a nice tank again.
Thanks!
 
scopus tang

scopus tang

Active Member
How about natural light? I see the reflection of several windows in one of those tank shots. Are you getting any natural light shinning into your tank? Natural light will cause a significant increase in algae growth.
 
mcbdz

mcbdz

Active Member
Originally Posted by vblue
http:///forum/post/2554066
I've got two 600Watt power heads. One is in the bottom left corner pointed up (you can see it in the pix) The other is in the top right corner pointed down. So it sounds like the game plan to fix my tank is re-connect the canister filter with new media (is ceramic a good choice?) and some fresh carbon. Can I just rinse the existing media? Do I leave the bio-balls alone? I'm only feeding 1/2 cube of frozen shrimp every other day. My peppermint shrimp are going psycho and starting to eat my snails. Do I need to get rid of a few or feed more often? Sorry for all the questions, but I really want to have a nice tank again.
Thanks!

I'm not real farmiler with the canister, but here goes. I wouls all any sponges, floss, or chemical(carbon, etc) new and go clean your boi ball real good and start over with them. If it hasn't been running then it will be yuk. Make sure you make the canister part of your maintance schedule changing and cleaning different parts each water change.

Also add up the GPH of each of your: skimmer, fliter, and PH. Watts doesn't mean anything here. You want a gallon per hour turn over of 15-20x's your gallons. If you don't have that yet add another PH or so.

Also make sure when you do your W/C you suction up as much of the cyno as possible. It's like cleaning and infection. Try to get it clean.
 
bountyhunter23

bountyhunter23

Member
In one of the pictures, i can see windows reflected on the tank. I a 50gal fresh tank that faces the sliding glass door and algae grows like crazy. I try to keep the blinds closed, it helps. Id say run your carbon, maybe move your power heads, and try getting less natural light into your tank. AND YES check your phos on the RO water you get!!!
 
vblue

vblue

New Member
Can someone recommend a good (but not overly complicated or expensive) water test kit? My LFS recommends API, but says he's out and cannot get it for awhile. He sells Seachem, but says you need a PHD in Chem. to use it. Ideas pls?
 
ibew41

ibew41

Active Member
for now bring them up close to the top and and point them down at the sand and add the canister like you said you are. how long do you leave the lights on for now?
 
vblue

vblue

New Member
Originally Posted by vblue
http:///forum/post/2554448
Can someone recommend a good (but not overly complicated or expensive) water test kit? My LFS recommends API, but says he's out and cannot get it for awhile. He sells Seachem, but says you need a PHD in Chem. to use it. Ideas pls?
anyone?
 
clownfish11

clownfish11

Active Member
api and get a penguin 350 like 3 korlia 3 or 4 and a canister and then just have that all on there for a while and do a bunch of water changes...
 
metweezer

metweezer

Active Member
Order your test kits online. API, Salifert, Instant Ocean & Red Sea. I think they all make test kits. I use the strips too, but only for a lazy man's indication. I always follow up with a test kit from one of the first two brands above.
 
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