Brown glass question

CyboRob · 08/08/2007, 09:14 PM

Reef is into it's 4th month now and I am wondering about my glass turning brown every 3 to 4 days, so I have to wipe it down. Just kinda of a hazy brown film, nothing to bad.
I've been doing a mini water change, after cleaning the glass.

Sand and rocks are fine.
Gone thru the brown on the sand and my hair alage bloom is almost gone now too.

I've had a pair of clowns for a month and I am thinking maybe I over feed them.

Anyways how long should I be able to go without having to wipe down the glass?

Thanks
Rob

DetectiveTofu · 08/08/2007, 10:38 PM

I think it may depends on what kind of nutrients you have in your water. If you're not using RO/DI water, every time you perform a water change, you are removing waste from the system, however you're probably also adding silicates and phosphates into your tank from your tap. I do not use RO/DI water and in the beginning I had to scrub diatoms every 2-3 days. I added some phosphate removal media, kept up with my water changes, and now I scrub every week and a half or so.

Once coralline algae starts to grow, it will help out-compete the nuisance algaes for nutrients. Also, if you have a little space, you can throw a clump of chaeto in to help with nutrient export.

Also, maybe you can try cutting down on the feeding. Everyone has their own definition of overfeeding, so it is a bit tough to tell if you're overfeeding.

hope this helps.

CyboRob · 08/09/2007, 09:03 AM

Yes it helps, thanks for sharing your experiences.

I am using RO/DI and have a fuge with a nice growing clump of chaeto that I trim every week.

Think I'll try feeding the clowns with a turkey baster rather than letting the food float around the tank.

NitroJunkie · 08/09/2007, 11:01 AM

it also helps to turn off all your pumps/power heads while feeding so the fish can eat in a concentrated spot and eat everything you are giving them rather than it getting blown all over the tank.

CyboRob · 08/09/2007, 09:56 PM

Did that today with using the turkey baster and it seemed to work well. The clowns hide in there hammer coral when they saw the turkey baster coming at them.
After they smelled the food and saw it dribbling out of the baster they came right to it, lol.

Those fish food cubes that the frozen food comes in are way to much food for a couple of small fish.
Could feed my two clowns for a week on one if I could figure out a good way to divy it up.

08/08/2007, 09:14 PM	#1
CyboRob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NW Washington Posts: 127	Brown glass question Reef is into it's 4th month now and I am wondering about my glass turning brown every 3 to 4 days, so I have to wipe it down. Just kinda of a hazy brown film, nothing to bad. I've been doing a mini water change, after cleaning the glass. Sand and rocks are fine. Gone thru the brown on the sand and my hair alage bloom is almost gone now too. I've had a pair of clowns for a month and I am thinking maybe I over feed them. Anyways how long should I be able to go without having to wipe down the glass? Thanks Rob

08/08/2007, 10:38 PM	#2
DetectiveTofu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,150	I think it may depends on what kind of nutrients you have in your water. If you're not using RO/DI water, every time you perform a water change, you are removing waste from the system, however you're probably also adding silicates and phosphates into your tank from your tap. I do not use RO/DI water and in the beginning I had to scrub diatoms every 2-3 days. I added some phosphate removal media, kept up with my water changes, and now I scrub every week and a half or so. Once coralline algae starts to grow, it will help out-compete the nuisance algaes for nutrients. Also, if you have a little space, you can throw a clump of chaeto in to help with nutrient export. Also, maybe you can try cutting down on the feeding. Everyone has their own definition of overfeeding, so it is a bit tough to tell if you're overfeeding. hope this helps.

08/09/2007, 09:03 AM	#3
CyboRob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NW Washington Posts: 127	Yes it helps, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am using RO/DI and have a fuge with a nice growing clump of chaeto that I trim every week. Think I'll try feeding the clowns with a turkey baster rather than letting the food float around the tank.

08/09/2007, 11:01 AM	#4
NitroJunkie Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fredericksburg VA Posts: 21	it also helps to turn off all your pumps/power heads while feeding so the fish can eat in a concentrated spot and eat everything you are giving them rather than it getting blown all over the tank.

08/09/2007, 09:56 PM	#5
CyboRob Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NW Washington Posts: 127	Did that today with using the turkey baster and it seemed to work well. The clowns hide in there hammer coral when they saw the turkey baster coming at them. After they smelled the food and saw it dribbling out of the baster they came right to it, lol. Those fish food cubes that the frozen food comes in are way to much food for a couple of small fish. Could feed my two clowns for a week on one if I could figure out a good way to divy it up.