Help. My tank sucks! - Page 2

Electrobes · 04/03/2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by luv951
Instead of replacing the maxi(s) with a koralia, you could just buy a maxi-stream kit. Marine Depot sells them, and they are like $20 or so if you already have the MJ.

I have read about problems with these guys with certain brands, but the universal issue with these is the way they attach to the tank. What disturbes me is the cure for this problem... the "sure-grip" with adds a bunch to the cost just to mod the maxijet. This is why I suggested the Koralia, as the attachment is great, flow is also great, and from the tally of the posts seem to have less probs (All an opinion of course).

I would try replacing one powerhead with the Koralia first and see how it goes. If you feel your tank needs more flow after that then add the other powerhead, if not great.

frags75 · 04/03/2008, 02:40 PM

I am wondering if that was your total alk or is it dkh? 4.5 alk is ok, 4.5 dkh is low. just wondering.

sk8rreefgeek · 04/03/2008, 02:50 PM

I know we'd all like to wake up everyday and see a ton of growth. I've only had my corals/light for 2 months, but I'd say your tank looks pretty good

I guess 4 years is a lot...

what happened to those nice purple mushrooms?

kar93 · 04/03/2008, 03:56 PM

PBITAWA

jk

blueguy · 04/03/2008, 04:09 PM

maybe you should trying a different lighting setup, if your corals have not been growing then maybe you do not have enough light or perhaps you should try a different kelvin rating.

saltym3 · 04/03/2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by frags75
I am wondering if that was your total alk or is it dkh? 4.5 alk is ok, 4.5 dkh is low. just wondering.

4.5 is the dKH. I know its low and have been having problems for some time. I have been reading up on some fixes for it.

Quote:

Originally posted by sk8rreefgeek
I know we'd all like to wake up everyday and see a ton of growth. I've only had my corals/light for 2 months, but I'd say your tank looks pretty good

I guess 4 years is a lot...

what happened to those nice purple mushrooms?

Mushrooms like I said earlier disappeared for the most part. There are probably around 25-30 nickel or dime sized scattered around. There were more of a nuisance than anything so kind of glad they are gone.

sk8rreefgeek · 04/03/2008, 05:27 PM

dang, I thought they looked pretty nice. Nice avatar btw, I got that logo on my wheels

RyanMKintz · 04/03/2008, 05:48 PM

Daily top offs and WEEKlY water changes with RO water was the key to may sucess

Longchamp · 04/03/2008, 05:57 PM

Whens the last time you changed your bulbs? They should be changed every year if you have an electronic ballast. Every 6-8 months if it's magnetic. You should definitely have a lot more growth. i agree with everyone else with the infrequent water changes and shifting parameters.

Test your Alkalinity more often, along with your calcium. API test kits are only like $5 each.

saltym3 · 04/03/2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longchamp
Whens the last time you changed your bulbs? They should be changed every year if you have an electronic ballast. Every 6-8 months if it's magnetic. You should definitely have a lot more growth. i agree with everyone else with the infrequent water changes and shifting parameters.

Test your Alkalinity more often, along with your calcium. API test kits are only like $5 each.

changed bulbs about 3 months ago since I figured that was my problem at first. I have been using Salifert test kits since I read they were pretty accurate.

I also noticed on the bottom of my RO jug (inside) that there looks like it may be a little green around the bottom edges. I never noticed this before or have a TDS kit but can this be a problem? Should I get a new jug?

Kannin · 04/03/2008, 07:28 PM

A quarter tsp a day of Seachem Reef Builder will bring that dKH in line and stablize your pH at 8.2. I keep a five gallon bucket next to my tank with a plastic measuring cup in it and I top off 4 cups in the morning (with calcium supp in it) & 4 cups at night (with alk supp in it).

10% water changes per week... especially with no skimmer.

ACBlinky · 04/03/2008, 10:35 PM

Your tank doesn't suck, it just needs a little TLC

I would:
- Get an ATO - mine tops off the 90g about four times daily, sometimes more. It's hands-down the best money I ever spent on my tank.
- Look into upgrading your lighting. More light = more growth (to a point, anyway)
- Upgrade the flow
- Replace the HOB filter with a HOB skimmer or HOB skimmer/fuge combo -- removing detritus and excess nutrients will help with NO3 and PO4, which should cut the algae growth and increase coral growth
- Do weekly 10-20% water changes. This will keep parameters in check, and ensure that trace elements aren't being depleted (which might limit growth).

HTH

cyberpanther · 04/03/2008, 10:51 PM

Based on your pics alone...

It is not about 1-2 water changes a week with your tank.

It is not about an auto top-off system with your tank.

There are no hard to care for corals in this tank. It is about ensuring the water level stays near the same level, and the water params stay nearly stable...period.

Yes, alk, PH, calcium, etc are important, but...based on the pics this is not the problem (more info would provide more data and a more exact result).

No need in investment, just time.

04/03/2008, 02:50 PM	#28
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	I know we'd all like to wake up everyday and see a ton of growth. I've only had my corals/light for 2 months, but I'd say your tank looks pretty good I guess 4 years is a lot... what happened to those nice purple mushrooms? __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

04/03/2008, 03:56 PM	#29
kar93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lincoln Posts: 5,521	Your Tank Sucks? PBITAWA jk

04/03/2008, 05:27 PM	#32
sk8rreefgeek Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lodi, California Posts: 1,352	dang, I thought they looked pretty nice. Nice avatar btw, I got that logo on my wheels __________________ It's time for operation crazy-plan Current Tank Info: Drilled 55g, 14g sump, coralife 125 SS: mated pair of b&w misbar clowns, ywg

04/03/2008, 05:48 PM	#33
RyanMKintz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Akron Posts: 217	Daily top offs and WEEKlY water changes with RO water was the key to may sucess __________________ up up down down left right left right A B A B select start Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront 20 gallon refugium MSX160 Skimmer t5 lighting powered by icecap 660 90 lbs live rock

04/03/2008, 07:28 PM	#36
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	A quarter tsp a day of Seachem Reef Builder will bring that dKH in line and stablize your pH at 8.2. I keep a five gallon bucket next to my tank with a plastic measuring cup in it and I top off 4 cups in the morning (with calcium supp in it) & 4 cups at night (with alk supp in it). 10% water changes per week... especially with no skimmer. __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

04/03/2008, 02:40 PM	#27
frags75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Suburbia Posts: 275	I am wondering if that was your total alk or is it dkh? 4.5 alk is ok, 4.5 dkh is low. just wondering.

04/03/2008, 04:09 PM	#30
blueguy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 29	maybe you should trying a different lighting setup, if your corals have not been growing then maybe you do not have enough light or perhaps you should try a different kelvin rating.

04/03/2008, 05:57 PM	#34
Longchamp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: baltimore Posts: 341	Whens the last time you changed your bulbs? They should be changed every year if you have an electronic ballast. Every 6-8 months if it's magnetic. You should definitely have a lot more growth. i agree with everyone else with the infrequent water changes and shifting parameters. Test your Alkalinity more often, along with your calcium. API test kits are only like $5 each.

04/03/2008, 10:35 PM	#37
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Your tank doesn't suck, it just needs a little TLC I would: - Get an ATO - mine tops off the 90g about four times daily, sometimes more. It's hands-down the best money I ever spent on my tank. - Look into upgrading your lighting. More light = more growth (to a point, anyway) - Upgrade the flow - Replace the HOB filter with a HOB skimmer or HOB skimmer/fuge combo -- removing detritus and excess nutrients will help with NO3 and PO4, which should cut the algae growth and increase coral growth - Do weekly 10-20% water changes. This will keep parameters in check, and ensure that trace elements aren't being depleted (which might limit growth). HTH __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

04/03/2008, 10:51 PM	#38
cyberpanther Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NorthEast Ohio Posts: 578	Based on your pics alone... It is not about 1-2 water changes a week with your tank. It is not about an auto top-off system with your tank. There are no hard to care for corals in this tank. It is about ensuring the water level stays near the same level, and the water params stay nearly stable...period. Yes, alk, PH, calcium, etc are important, but...based on the pics this is not the problem (more info would provide more data and a more exact result). No need in investment, just time.