Couple Questions about my nano

paco83

New Member
I have a 15 gallon nano tank setup thats been running for about 2 months now, 1 month with fish(1 clown, 2 small damsels). All seems well with everything but a couple questions about the algae. After about only a week, the sand i used as a substrate (not live sand) has a brown layer of what i assume is brown algae is this ok as is or should i remove it every week or so? Also i see there are micro bubbles floating around in the water, is this CO2 or O2? Lastly an unrelated question, how do you prevent salt buildup? It's all over my 2 filters glass top and even the top of the light.
Thanx
PS little more info about the tank, 15 gallon, 2 100gph filters with biowheels 50W heater,1/4" of sand substrate, 5lbs live rock.
I'm about to add a 300 gph power sweep power head.
 

007

Active Member
1. Brown algae=diatoms. Due to a poor water source. Are you using tap water?
2. Microbubbles . . . are there are lot of them or just a few? If its a lot then you have a problem with a pump or powerhead. If its only a few then I wouldnt worry about them. They are just o2 bubbles.
3. No . . . salt creep is inevitable in a SW tank. Do you use an airstone in your tank? these increase the creep by a lot.
4. Remove the glass tops, they just trap heat and are one more piece to clean.
 

007

Active Member

Originally posted by paco83
I'm about to add a 300 gph power sweep power head.

Save your money . . . they break in a matter of weeks if not days.
 

marvida

Member
IMO your tank is still pretty young & the diatoms may be due at least partially to that. Also using dead sand extends your cycle time.
For small tanks double your projected time lines. For instance, if you can put fish in a larger tank after 4 weeks cycle time, plan on introducing them into a nano after 2 months. New nanos are incredibly sensitive to any changes. Use the best water available, preferrably RO/DI.
Take it slow & give it time. Good Luck!
Ken
 

black99l

Member
are you doing water changes? i have a 10 gallon nano that has been running for approx. 5 months, i do .75 gallon water changes every weekend.
 

paco83

New Member
I have been using tap water, but treating it before i put it in. And yes i have been doing water changes weekly (usually a gallon).
Is the brown algae a problem though? Something i should remove every week? or is it ok to have in the tank?
 

marvida

Member
On my 10 I do a 1/2 gallon water change per week. The only way to treat tap water is to run it through an RO/DI unit. IMHO there are very few things in this hobby that can't be tweaked or compromised but using anything but RO or RO/DI water (preferred) introduces to many inconsistant variables into the equation. The brown gunk is a problem if it covers anything that can be smothered. More importantly it's an indication that there's a problem that will stand in the way of your tank getting to the next level.
 

black99l

Member
i would stop using the tap water and start using the RO water. I would try that for a couple of weeks to see if the problem starts to go away with the change in water types.
 
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