Biowheels

[florida joe]

I rather see you vacuum just do a section at a time. Algae growth is predicated on light and nutrients in the water. What is your lighting schedule and what and how often do you feed. IMO you should bring up your salinity a little

 

[slider101]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2897884
I rather see you vacuum just do a section at a time. Algae growth is predicated on light and nutrients in the water. What is your lighting schedule and what and how often do you feed. IMO you should bring up your salinity a little
WHen I vac do I need to really dig into the CC base and stir it up? I have my Actnics on from about 12 noon to 10 pm and my daylights from 1pm to 9 pm. I feed them 1-2 times a day, only the amount they can eat in 5 min. The only vac I have is just a large clear tube with a hose on it and it syphons out, is there a better device to use? I could use a wet dry vac but would take everything in the tank lol.

 

[nordy]

I used to have CC in my 55 and would stir it up regularly, after putting a clean cartridge in my canister filter, to clean up the gunk released from the CC. I changed to sand and it was the best move I have ever made in my tank.
Stirring up the CC can really release a whole bunch of bad stuff and can contribute to the nitrate levels you have reported. I know that some people swear by CC, but IMO it is a nasty substrate and recommend switching to sand.
On feeding, I feed my 55 gal reef tank with 5 fish only a couple of times a week and the fish are doing great. Less feeding can be better when it comes to feeding.

 

[florida joe]

Originally Posted by Nordy
http:///forum/post/2897942
I used to have CC in my 55 and would stir it up regularly, after putting a clean cartridge in my canister filter, to clean up the gunk released from the CC. I changed to sand and it was the best move I have ever made in my tank.
Stirring up the CC can really release a whole bunch of bad stuff and can contribute to the nitrate levels you have reported. I know that some people swear by CC, but IMO it is a nasty substrate and recommend switching to sand.
On feeding, I feed my 55 gal reef tank with 5 fish only a couple of times a week and the fish are doing great. Less feeding can be better when it comes to feeding.
Just curious why would you stir up your CC regularly

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2896495
Start by asking yourself how phosphates and nitrates end up in your thank. Think see if and how your bio-wheel could be a factor and then you will be able to address the problem.
IMO bio-wheels get an unjustified negative reputation
I like this answear.

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by slider101
http:///forum/post/2896502
Well, I am new to this hobby and think that I have tried to address the other problems. I have lowered my feedings because I think I was slightly overfeeding, just liked watching the little guys eat lol. I have tried vacuuming and cleaning my rocks and it comes back within a day. I am staying around 10 on my nitrates and I haven't got a phosphate test kit but am looking everywhere currently locally. I have also tried to slowly lower my lighting times. I was just thinking maybe the biowheels but wanted some advice.
Hi there,
I also have a 55 with 2 of those type of filters. It seems to be working for me, Although now I have come to the conclusion that my niger likes the ten gallon tank, that he was in, more than the 55. It might be the llighting, cause my nitrates are around 20 and I do not seem to have algea problems. I do have a snail in there, not sure if that is why there is no algea.