OK, need help. Should I start all over?

[cam78]

Heres the deal, I haven't been on here in a while and I'm totally disgusted with my tank. Algae is popping everywhere, I'm getting a brown velvet looking slime on the substrate, my coral is slowly dying off, now one is bleaching and the tank just looks crappy. I am doing nothing different but it has been pretty crappy looking for about 8 months now. Maybe longer.
I am wondering if I should just take all the LR out and bleach it, super clean the tank and let it start over. Its a reef with one maroon clown and numerous coral. I had the water tested and my test kit says its all within normal ranges, and so does LFS. Please help. Love the hobby HATE the way it looks now.
PC's have been changed, water changes approximately every 10 days, fluval filter, 45 gal bow. About 3 years old.

 

[reefkprz]

here are a few things you can to to bring it around without starting over.
starting over is a pain and not usually as effective as you might think.
increase the volume of your water changes. (if your doing 20% do 30% instead)
reduce feeding amounts.
increase skimming if possible.
ad phos ban, or purigen(or similar phosphate reducer)
run fresh carbon, replace at each water change (after the water change)
blow the gunk out of your rock work before each waterchange.

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by CAM78
http:///forum/post/3173815
I am wondering if I should just take all the LR out and bleach it, super clean the tank and let it start over.
all bleaching will do is KILL everything on it then you'll have to re-cure the rock and have 100% die off to deal with. this would be counter productive.

 

[spanko]

Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/3173817
here are a few things you can to to bring it around without starting over.
starting over is a pain and not usually as effective as you might think.
increase the volume of your water changes. (if your doing 20% do 30% instead)
reduce feeding amounts.
increase skimming if possible.
ad phos ban, or purigen(or similar phosphate reducer)
run fresh carbon, replace at each water change (after the water change)
blow the gunk out of your rock work before each waterchange.
+1
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/3173818
all bleaching will do is KILL everything on it then you'll have to re-cure the rock and have 100% die off to deal with. this would be counter productive.
+1 again

 

[cam78]

What do you mean increase skimming? Increase the flow you mean? I do 5 gallons on the 46 each water change. I use a turkey baster with each cleaning. You run carbon all the time? I don't. I will if you say its better. I might have to change my Phos remover. I think I use Chemipure.

 

[cam78]

By the way what is this velvet looking crap? Its like a dark maroon and it has a velvet texture. When I try to suck it up it all pulls together. When I find out what it is maybe this will indicate what is wrong.
Also why the bleaching and dying coral?

 

[calbert0]

What are you using for your water supply?

 

[reefkprz]

the velvety slime is probably cyanobacteria. (generally indicates an excess of organic waste)
skimming = slang for the function of a protien skimmer or foam fractionator.
if you have to ask what it means you probably dont have a skimmer. I would look into getting one they are a good addition to your filtration.
the corals dying and bleaching out are probably from an over abundance of nutrients in your water by the sounds of it.
what are your water parameters? (ammonia nitrite nitrate phosphate alk and calcium)

 

[reefkprz]

I dont run carbon all the time but it can help remove DOC's (dissolved organic compounds) in times of trouble

 

[cam78]

No I have a skimmer but I meant what do you mean by increase skimming? It runs 24 hours a day. I use RO