I need help with algae

acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I agree on smaller more frequent water changes over larger spread out water changes........
Meowzer I'm curious about your setup.....You keep talking about adding PH's and such and adjusting flow.....Is the tank drilled or un drilled......
I'm more curious about seeing some pics as far as your returns and such. I've touched and not trying to preach, but we can continually add HP to pumps and more PH's, but the bottom line if your not using them efficiently the problem won't be solved. I would almost bet, that if we took a poll 98% of people couldn't honestly explain or give a logic reason why they have their return lines where they do.....Only for mere fact, because it's convenient. I'd like to take a closer look and explain when the time comes....
Also curious how deep do you have your MP40's mounted......I have my MP60's probably 8"-9" off the bottom of my tank playing, and I guarantee I could go lower in the tank and get excellent flow across the bottom and not disturb a sand bed.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I'm not adding anything (YET).....I am only re-positioning
I will get some pics tomorrow....one MP40 is on right side approx ctr
the otehr is on the left now more towards the back some and a little higher then the other side
I have 2 Koralia evos on the back wall
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
The funny thing is the bottom of the rocks are clearer...............BUT......I also thought you were not supposed to put the MP40's lower??????
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
The rocks might be cleaner, but apparently something is settling in your problem algae area, which in my mind means flow isn't adequate to keep things suspended in the water column to be picked up by the overflow box and then for them to be removed in the sump.
Where have you read or told there was a certain area to mount your Vortech's........
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I am thinking I read it in the online manual
AND YES....I know the flow is an issue......thinking we have that narrowed down :( That is why I am trying to position the powerheads in different spots
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Meowzer I just did a quick google, and even checked Eco's site and I can't see anywhere obvious where it states they are suppose to be mounted at a certain depth.....Curious where this came from. The pump wouldn't be affected if you mounted them at the bottom of the side panel blowing across the bottom directly....Pump would still operate the same. You just have to be careful and avoid sucking sand would be a major concern.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I just went through the media gallery and I see nothing about depth of mounting......Honestly that would be totally ludicrous to have limitations as far as depth they can operate other than preventing them from sucking foreign objects.......
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Have you tried setting your MP40's on the sides and leaving your others on the back and running the Gyre mode.......
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Pump Positioning
Preparation
Once you have chosen the location where you wish to install your VorTech pump, clean away any
algae, calcified or otherwise using an aquarium scraper. Use caution when using an aquarium
scraper.
Notes on Placement
The VorTech pumps create a large amount of low velocity flow within your aquarium. Take care to
place the VorTech in a suitable location where corals are not directly in the line of flow. Place the
pump sufficiently high enough above a fine sand bed so that sand is not blown around by the output or undertow created by the VorTech. For more information on pump placement on your tank,
No where does it state anything about specific depth they can be mounted....It just states what I highlighted......It does go to section 5.2, and talks about more precise placement for different modes though....
Horizontal and vertical positioning of your pump on the glass
With EcoSmart, we take the guess work out of where to place your pumps and how to make the
most use out of our modes. However, the precise position of any one pump on a pane of glass is
still something which must be optimized to your particular aquarium. To accomplish this, follow the
guidelines outlined below.
Vertical Positioning
Vertical positioning refers to where a pump is placed releative to the vertical axis of your aquarium, which basically means how close the pump is to the surface of the water. We recommend that
pumps always be placed about 4 to 8” below the surface of the water. The precise vertical positioning of your pump will depend on the height of
your aquarium and how deep your sand bed is. You
want to position the pump as high in the tank as
possible without creating a vortex for the surface of
the water. In very deep aquariums, it may be necessary to place a pump lower in order to achieve
optimal flow throughout the tank. In this situation,
be careful that the pump does not move the sand bed.
I do understand what you read, but again recommendations......They can be mounted at any depth, as long as your not moving sand......If your using them for surface movement honestly your wasting energy and money IMHO.....I had mentioned about moving water efficiently!!!!!!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I know....LOL...BUT I did read that

I have a large leather on each side of the aquarium on the bottom though.......
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/390054/i-need-help-with-algae/140#post_3455523
WELL.....My MP40's are on the sides......LOL....and I have no clue what gyre is
Lois I'm not laughing at you; but with you.....So much we are sheltered from on this site!!!!!!!
If you go to my thread or remember I briefly touched on this subject......A lot of people don't understand real flow....what naturally occurs and what we should be trying to replicate....That's were I keep stating move water efficiently and smartly....Not just blow it around. The flow inside our systems should be moving for a purpose. I've had extensive conversations with individuals that truly understand efficient water movement, so I won't argue or debate what others might say.
Take my setup for example. I use 4 returns from my return pump. I blow (2) down the side panel from top to bottom forcing fresh (clean) water down to the bottom of the tank and along the bottom.....At the same time I have my MP60's (2) blowing across the bottom........at the same time you want to push water forcefully enough to pick stuff up from the bottom and theoretically bounce it off the opposite wall and upward towards the water surface where in my case; my other (2) returns blow back across the top of the tank towards the overflow box. The reasoning behind this is that what is picked up along the bottom or suspended in the water column is then being forced to the overflow where it can be removed from the DT. This is where I state again most people aren't using what they have efficiently or effectively. They just haphazardly blow water around the DT.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK here are some pictures
the first is from a side view...shows the positions of tthe MP40s

then you can see the outflow from the new Fluval filter....and the overflow is to the right of that

and then the 2 Koralias....left one is the 1400...right is the 1050 I recently moved them apart some....and I am hoping yo ucan see more with this FTS

and then the flow bar on the right that returns from the Cascade......and the return from the sump, which is about one foot in from the flow bar

The Leathers....the left is the very large toadstool that can not be moved...it is attached to a bottom rock....on the right is the leather tree....that may be able to be moved....BUT WHERE? and the bubble coral which I can not see placing a large amount of flow on it
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Lois, I sent you a pretty lengthy PM.....You might want to start by moving the MP40's down......Your flow is in the upper portion of the tank; which is great, but I guarantee with rock work and such the Vortechs aren't reaching the bottom.....Try moving them down about 2"....If you see sand movement, back them up a bit......
What mode are they in......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top