SICK & TIRED OF

meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/388264/sick-tired-of#post_3423406
I thought you had an 18. I remember using you as a reason to get my husband to upgrade our return to a Mag 18, with the "This is what Meowzer is running," excuse, lol.
What percentage are you running the MP 40s at? I think you have good flow, but with my 155 being deep, it was like I never had enough/the right amount/the right positioning.
I run the MP40's at the random (yellow) mode....I have them directly across the tank from each other and they run opposite ,...and I let them go all the way to full
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Can you post a picture of how you have all your flow positioned? I really feel like you're having the same annoying issues with the 155. Also how many inches from the surface are each of the MP's? I'm telling you, the depth sucks, no one warns about that.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK...these are the 2 Koralias in the center of the tank

LOL....The 2 circles on the sides are where the MP40's are
The one all the way on the right is where the flow bar is....it goes across the whole side
The yellow one top center is about where the return comes out
The
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
You have enough flow, it just depends on where your powerheads are positioned at. When I set up a tank, 55g and up, I put a maxijet 1200 powerhead positioned on the back right of the glass, hidden behind some rocks that blow water behind and through the rocks throughout the rest of the tank. It's turned upside down to keep it from sucking in sand and I also put a simple plastic pre-filter on it to keep the snails out of it. I also put one powerhead on the right top corner, positioned blowing ACROSS the top of the water, not pointing down or up at the water, but across it. This helps gas exchange and aerobic bacteria greatly!!! The powerhead on the left corner I put at the top, blowing water across the sand bed and around the corals and front glass. Usually this set up covers most of the dead spots, depending on your aquascape.
On my 240g, I had two mag drive 12s (or was it one mag24? Anyways... same difference) running on my sump, one for each side and I had a closed loop system with a Reeflo Dart on it at 3800gph. So... that's 1200+1200 - 25% head loss +3800 +295 = 5895gph, which is... 24.5x turnover for a 240g tank. I have no idea what MP40s put out, because I don't have that kind of money to work with. lol!!!
Add up all your estimated gph from returns, powerheads, etc. and do the same formula. We'll see. In larger water volumes, a powerhead just doesn't have the kick to it and the ability to push water long distances. The flow rate decreases to almost nothing and becomes useless in certain areas of the tank. I bet that if you had a flow meter and you put it in your tank in the areas that have cyanobacteria, you will find that it is actually a low flow rate in those spots. Large tanks have their own set of problems and solutions. :D
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
So your return isn't split and you have one overflow?
May I suggest a second return pump and another overflow, or split your return. Splitting my return on the 180 helped a lot, yes it cuts down gph pressure, etc, but it helped.
Also, try moving one of the MP40's up further. I run mine slightly off from directly across from each other, one is closer to the surface and further back than the other is. Technically they're not supposed to be directly across from each other.
It looks as if your Korallias are angled downward, try aiming the stronger one right across the tank at the glass. Once I added my MP 10 on the back to work against the two 40's on the sides, it kicked up a lot more. I know you have an MP10, you might want to try that on the back, it's made a big difference for me. The "Nutrient Export Mode" that you can run if you have the MP10 added to the two 40's kicks up a lot of extra stuff in my tank.
I think you have the right amount of flow, just not the right direction of flow. That was always the issue for me in the 155. I'm telling you, the taller tank is a PITA. Even though my 180 is wider, it's not as tall, and it's made a huge difference in how things run.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
The koralias are angled out to the sides more then down....The mp10's are on other tanks...LOL
What do you mean "split" the return? Use 2 pumps or 2 flow return tubes? Why would I do that....I have the cascade for added flow too?????
 
A

abeandlulu

Guest
I was having the same problem I started a couple months ago. Act. several months ago. I use tropic marin pro reef salt. Ad since you suggested the pheonix MH bulbs I have been using them. Back in FEB. I bought new pheonix bulbs. but when I bought them they looked different. (they looked used). After that my tank started to go down hill. lots of algea growth. So I doubled up on phos lock, did lots of water changes, did everything I was supposed to do and things go a little better even upgraded to 3 tunze. Butnnothing really worked. I even swithced salts. I saw this awsesome video for red sea pro coral salt. They made it out to be the best thing since sliced bread. Well it was shit (sorry) It left a nasty residue in the vat i was mixig it in and skrewed up my alk and messed with my phos. so I swithced back to trpoic marin. things got better but still had some cayno growing. So i decided that the bulbs that had looked bad in the beginingmight be the problem. So I bought new I went back the hamiltons 20k 250watt. and 4 days later thing are already look up. my elegance has doubled in size and the montis have new growth. Im still not sure if it was the salt or the lights. Or if it was both. I hope you figure out what is wrong with yours. good luck.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/388264/sick-tired-of/20#post_3423498
The koralias are angled out to the sides more then down....The mp10's are on other tanks...LOL
What do you mean "split" the return? Use 2 pumps or 2 flow return tubes? Why would I do that....I have the cascade for added flow too?????
You could do either.
I had a singe return with a FLuval FX5 on the 155, splitting the return, for whatever reason, helped.
I know the MP10s are on other tanks, but I would just try it for a day. I noticed immediate cr@p being kicked up once I added the MP10 and ran the Nutrient Export Mode. It's worth a try since you have them already.
What I would try first:
Move your return over away from the flow bar, or move the flow bar, so that they're not as close. I'd move one to the middle, or even to the other side and angel ONE of the Korallias up more (more straight towards the front glass but with a little angel up). If you're up to it, try the MP10
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I couldn't agree more with BTLD, Well said.
Occasionally go in your tank with a turkey baster and blast off all the rocks and let the filter catch it, then change the filter. That should also help quite a bit. Kind of like the "nutrient export mode on the MP. I guess I'm just old school. HAHAHA
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK...Maybe I'll try the MP10 this weekend....I need to do it when Danny is home....my arms aren't long enough to reach the back of the tank...LOL...Not sure I have enough hose to move the return any further....and the canister has to stay where it is....I just added the 2nd Koralia and had to make A LOT of adjustments to get them where they are...LOL....I will
Seth....I use the turkey baster all the time....before w/c's.....and I clean daily
I just placed an order for a LMB and a few different types of snails....I should get them Thursday...
I also just soaked my Brute to get rid of the residue...and will be making up a batch of AQUA VITRO SW to do a w/c on Friday
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...the pencil urchin has only moved an inch...BUT the spot it moved from is clean....HAHAHAHA
I also turned the MH part of my lights back 2 hours.....NOT really wanting to do more then that right now....after I add my new cuc and LMB Thursday, and do the w/c Friday...I will re-assess the situation
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/388264/sick-tired-of/20#post_3423506
I couldn't agree more with BTLD, Well said.
Occasionally go in your tank with a turkey baster and blast off all the rocks and let the filter catch it, then change the filter. That should also help quite a bit. Kind of like the "nutrient export mode on the MP. I guess I'm just old school. HAHAHA
Hey, that's part of my "nutrient export" method also! Gotta love the turkey baster. So versatile.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...The new LMB is so small....I guess mine had grown a lot...BUT here is a pic of it, a TEENY emerald crab and some of the snails and a conch


 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Close ups of my FUZZ
Here is a pic of the back wall...
You can see where the snails travel thru it Some fuzzy rocks

Some of the red on the sand
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
VERY NICE.
Anyway when are you starting the chemical warfare? IMO at this stage that’s where you need to start.
Quote:
Close ups of my FUZZ
 
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