Just cleaned my tank...(the algae empire has fallen)

garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by teen
all the detritus, fish poop, fish food, anything thats in your water column that settles get stuck in that substrate. you dont want to just cover it up because its not gunna just disapear. it will slowly break down and leech p04s into your water. this is gunna continuosly feed your algae and it will continue to grow.
a 3-4" sand bed will be effective in breaking down any of that junk and will hopefully slow down the algae.
i also suggest investing in a skimmer and a powerhead. i honestly dont think those HOB filters are providing enough circulation in that tank, and that isnt helping the situation either.
If it helps, I added the AquaClear 300 only a week ago, so I may not see circulation problems being fixed for a week or so more. As for a skimmer, I am going to wait on that until I get my sump set up. Do you by chance know what I need for a sump? I already have a 10g tank.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
its not the looks that bother me its the chemical composition of the rock. its leaching stuff that accelerates algae growth into your tank, like Iron, possibly phosphates, its hard to say with a dgree of real accuracy but it is not considered marine safe.

I agree
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
its not the looks that bother me its the chemical composition of the rock. its leaching stuff that accelerates algae growth into your tank, like Iron, possibly phosphates, its hard to say with a dgree of real accuracy but it is not considered marine safe.

oh...*runs to the tank, yanks the rock out, throws it accross the yard....hits the old man accross the streets mailbox....dies*
I really did take it out. lol
 
teen

teen

Active Member
Originally Posted by Garfunkle
If it helps, I added the AquaClear 300 only a week ago, so I may not see circulation problems being fixed for a week or so more. As for a skimmer, I am going to wait on that until I get my sump set up. Do you by chance know what I need for a sump? I already have a 10g tank.
if i was you, this is exactly what i would do.
- buy an overflow and return pump (you need this to start your sump).
- remove the HOB filters.
- remove current substrate and replace with live sand
- add like 15lbs of cured live rock.
- buy one or two powerheads and put them in the tank.
- buy a skimmer, put it on the tank.
- start doing regular water changes with RO/DI water and a high quality salt brand.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by teen
if i was you, this is exactly what i would do.
- buy an overflow and return pump (you need this to start your sump).
- remove the HOB filters.
- remove current substrate and replace with live sand
- add like 15lbs of cured live rock.
- buy one or two powerheads and put them in the tank.
- buy a skimmer, put it on the tank.
- start doing regular water changes with RO/DI water and a high quality salt brand.
This kills all of what we have been discussing for the past hour, but I am thinking about just upsizing to a 55. That way, I can start fresh.
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
good choice in removing that rainbow chunk

where you have listed your choices or the purchases I would go the skimmer route and start gravel siphoning the crushed coral to remove detritus when you do your water changes. when you upgrade I would go with all sand 3" to 5" deep, that way you get the anaerobic benmifit of the deep sand bed.
I would also start buying live rock in advance of up sizing your tank (as you can afford it of course I'm not made of money either) either make sure its precured and transport it home in buckets of water or cure it in a seperate container. LR is the best filtration when coupled with good flow and a good sand bed. when you up grade to a larger tank consider using the smaller tank as a sump/fuge if thats a direction your interested in going. I personally LOVE sumps, (good place to hide equipment like skimmers, heater, and such.) also to grow macros to consume nitrogen, and compete for elements with nuscaince algaes.
sorry it took so long to get back here, got about 50 pets to care for and puppies are demanding.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
good choice in removing that rainbow chunk

where you have listed your choices or the purchases I would go the skimmer route and start gravel siphoning the crushed coral to remove detritus when you do your water changes. when you upgrade I would go with all sand 3" to 5" deep, that way you get the anaerobic benmifit of the deep sand bed.
I would also start buying live rock in advance of up sizing your tank (as you can afford it of course I'm not made of money either) either make sure its precured and transport it home in buckets of water or cure it in a seperate container. LR is the best filtration when coupled with good flow and a good sand bed. when you up grade to a larger tank consider using the smaller tank as a sump/fuge if thats a direction your interested in going. I personally LOVE sumps, (good place to hide equipment like skimmers, heater, and such.) also to grow macros to consume nitrogen, and compete for elements with nuscaince algaes.
sorry it took so long to get back here, got about 50 pets to care for and puppies are demanding.
haha, I have a zoo as well. I am going all out, if you will, on the next aquarium. I plan on making a 10 gallon sump, but I am not sure where to start. I should have the new tank in a week or so. My father builds cabinets for a living, so I can get him to make me a stand/enclosure for the sump. Do you know what I should expect to pay for the tank/lighting? Thanks
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
that totally depends on what you get for a tank and lighting, I'm a wheeler and dealer I almost never pay full price for anything, So I honestly dont know how much youd pay for a tank the lighting depends on what you get and what type (stay away from current powercompaq bulbs) the fixtures are fine but coralife bulbs are almost twice as bright. I really trade and sell a lot of reptiles and corals so I'm lost when it comes to pricing.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
that totally depends on what you get for a tank and lighting, I'm a wheeler and dealer I almost never pay full price for anything, So I honestly dont know how much youd pay for a tank the lighting depends on what you get and what type (stay away from current powercompaq bulbs) the fixtures are fine but coralife bulbs are almost twice as bright. I really trade and sell a lot of reptiles and corals so I'm lost when it comes to pricing.
ok, I'll try to look around some.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by dhughesz28
Ya, Im curious also
I ues it to feed my blenny. I put brine/flakes inthere and it is the only fgish that can rest at the bottom of it. Originally, it was a worm feeder/trap. One day, I realized all the bait was getting eaten, and I caught the culprit. It was the scooter blenny!
 
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