Quote:
Originally Posted by
DarrinSimon http:///forum/thread/380614/cloudy-tank-this-morning#post_3314221
Well Flower I did get a new Reef Octopus XP1000S cone skimmer, it was difficult convincing the wife we needed a $325 skimmer, but she finally gave in. It is rated for a 150 and I have a 90, I read that you should get a skimmer rated for a larger tank than you have and that's what I did. Hell it was pulling skimmate out within the first hour of using it because there was so much in there. (who said they need to break in!)
And I just checked for ammonia and it is 0 PPM. If I am reading it wrong then it may be .025 PPM but I doubt it, the color is pretty clear that it's 0. Still can't detect nitrates either, I have read that algae may have the nutrients locked up, but I don't have algae all over the place like I did before. I know there has to be some nitrates in there but neither of my test kits, one older kit and another newer kit show any at all. It's e distinct yellow color that says 0 PPM that shows more orangey when nitrates are detected.
It's my wife's tank per say because she love's fish, but all she does is feed them, I do all maintenance. She is the one who ordered the fish, she researched all of them making sure they were compatible with each other and what we already had. I know you should add them slowly, but I took a chance that they would survive if I stayed on top of the cycle it was going to go through. Even though I couldn't detect ammonia I did the water changes anyway.
I guess I am try to get the tank back in shape too fast. I have had algae problems since we got it and got disgusted to the point of getting rid of the tank. Now I am checking things daily again and try to stay on top of it this time. It is dis-heartning doing water changes, cleaning filters, scraping algae only to have it come back a week or so later. I started using RO water and it helped a little, but never really got it where the algae was maintainable. Now it is maintainable, I know you can't or shouldn't try to get rid of all of it as it is natural. But when you see pictures of other peoples tanks so crystal clear without ANY visible algae it makes me wonder what I am doing wrong.
I think I am just going to let mother nature run it's course, no more Algae Fix, I haven't dosed any in 2 weeks now anyway. I never planned on it being the "fix", just as a little helper for my problem. I read up on it before purchasing any and it is safe, hell they want you to does once a week after you get it under control, no way for me! I am going to continue to skim wet, scrape algae off the glass and weekly water changes along with keeping filters and skim cup clean. While I don't see much algae in there my skimmer cup says differently, is is sucking out something green and slimey.
You may have been a bit harsh on me as you stated, a slap on the wrist from you is well taken here. Thanks for you input Flower, feel free to add more if you feel inclined to.
I was afraid I sounded too harsh, like I said
I really don’t mean it to be. I’m glad you got a good skimmer. It should take care of that organic yuck that is clouding up the tank. How old are your lights? I ask because old bulbs will cause hair algae to grow as well. Do try and get the poly filter, it sounds like it will help and Joe knows his stuff. Keep up on the water changes.
Oh and I found a really easy way to do water changes…I too have a 90g tank …with a canopy I had to take it off…not anymore..I got a 5g jug and run a tube from my skimmer to it. I wet skim and the nasty water is dumped into the jug. I have an Auto Top Off unit and I use a trash can (fish only) to mix my new saltwater for changes. I run a hose to my tank with a pump on it. I switch the pump cords with the RO top off tank, so the new mixed saltwater is replaced as the skimmer pulls out old water. If you have an ATO you might try this…life is allot easier now. I have been battling nitrates and doing
daily water changes, so I know how you feel.
