Quote:
Originally Posted by
PEZenfuego http:///t/392957/my-plants-wont-open-up-help#post_3493460
Coral is a marine creature, yes. It is also an animal.
You most likely have diatoms. How old is your setup?
If I were you, I want to raise your salinity, but A) it isn't a big deal and B)do so gradually. Gradual is the key here. Doing a larger water change may be in order. Mix your saltwater before adding it. Mix some saltwater in a separate container and heat it so that it doesn't shock the tank. Test the water too. I would get the SG to a level of about 1.023. That way it will raise the salinity in the tank, but only a little. The best way to raise salinity is to top off the tank with saltwater and continually test. If you aren't familiar with what topping off is, it goes like this: Water evaporates from the tank which raises the salinity (because salt does not evaporate, see). To remedy this, you should mark where the water level is and add freshwater to the tank when the water level dips below that mark (does that make sense?) But if you use saltwater to top off (for a short while), the salinity will increase rather than remain constant.
You want 0 nitrates and 0 phosphates. With a good salt mix (what do you use), proper feedings, and good filtration, this can be achieved (well, I guess 0 is technically impossible, but you catch my drift). This can be achieved through a variety of methods. Water changes and filtration are usually the key to this. You can also use chemical filtration to reduce your nitrates and phosphates. If that's a route you want to take, hit up the search bar and learn more about it. It isn't a quick fix (but nothing in this hobby that works is a quick fix).
You probably want to add more filtration. I know that what you have is rated for 60 gallons, but you can never have water that is too filtered (because even if you have filter-feeders, you can spot feed them). A protein skimmer is not a bad idea either (I didn't see you mention having one). Can you figure out/describe the filter? I am going to assume that it is carbon filtration.
Also, try to get tests to evaluate all of the above levels. Your lighting system sounds okay, but could you give us more specs for it?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Markimark http:///t/392957/my-plants-wont-open-up-help#post_3493479
Hey I appreciate your reply!
Yeah those diatoms go away with water change you think ? or when the tank matures.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/a/diatom-algae I wrote this a few years ago. I think you might find it helpful. It is doubtful that the diatoms will go away after a water change, but ultimately that is okay. They do not hurt anything. Eventually, your tank will mature, your water quality will stabilize, and your tank will be free of silicates. Then the diatoms go away. In the meantime, appreciate one of nature's most beautiful lifeforms.
You think a ten gallon water change will be enough, if I mix the 5 gal of saltwater and 5 gal ro water? I get my water from my fish store, its the reverse osmosis water! I buy them all ready mixed.
I still don't understand this question. Why would you mix the 5 gallons of saltwater and 5 gallons of freshwater and add it to the tank? If it is bought premixed, then just add it. I would do a larger water change if I were you. You have a 46 gallon tank. Factor out the rocks and that is what? 30 gallons roughly? If you do a 15 gallon change, that would replace half the water and cut your bad levels in half. Theoretically, a water change this large should not hurt the tank UNLESS the water that is going in this tank has vastly different levels (ie temperature pH, etc).
You said heat it, how do I do that ? is the water supposed to be warm? And yes I know what topping off is . I was topping off with my saltwater last few times because I knew it was a bit low.
You suggest I keep doing that?
You don't own a submersible heater? Well, I know that when I mix my own saltwater, the RO water that I start with is usually less than 70 degrees. That's bad. If you add water that is this cold to the tank, then you will shock the inhabitants. You want to make sure that it is the same, or close to the same temperature. If this is unmanageable, then add it in portions ensuring that the net temperature remains constant (or close to it). Gradual, everything gradual. Get creative. How do you heat the water you have now? You put a light on it, right? When don't you use your light? Owning a saltwater aquarium is an exercise of the mind.
If you get your water premixed and you plan to continue doing this, then fighting the SG is going to be an uphill battle. You may simply want to give in and keep that SG at 1.021. This is on the low end and out of the recommended range, but not horribly so.
I read about the chemical filteration, where could I buy the good quality carbon from?
And I have another filter which does up to 30 gal , should I add that in?
I use the Whisper 30-60 carbon filtratifon.
Yeah, add another filter. No harm in that. Look up phosban, some people like it. You should look into a skimmer and research HOB refugiums (natural is almost always better). Shop around on craigslist.
I'll give you an idea of the filtration on my tank. I have a sump, so the water flows from the display tank to a hidden tank below. It gets prefiltered (just with a sponge) before entering the sump. Once in the sump it gets picked up by the carbon filter (like you have) My tank is a 29 and I believe this filter is for a 75 gallon. Then it goes through a phosphate reactor (which is the chemical filtration to remove phosphates). Then it goes through a s of acrylic where it is filtered with more sponges and bioballs (I got these for free. I'm not a huge fan, but I own them and there is space for them). Then it goes into the refugium. In the refugium I have chaetomorpha, which is a macroalgae. This helps with phosphates and nitrates. Then the water gets skimmed by my protein skimmer (rated for 100 gallons) and is pushed back out into the display tank. Is all of this necessary? I also do weekly 10 % water changes. Is all of that necessary, no. Is this way the best way, no. You should always try to learn as much as possible before making changes or buying new things. But no matter how good you are, you learn as you go and you do what you can.
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I know this is a lot of questions lol please help me out! Thank you
