New tank

[Kyreeflove]

I have a 75 gallon tank I set up at Christmas and I have been fighting it for the last two weeks. I have a reef octopus 2000 protein skimmer, 2 power heads, and a magnum 350 pump. I am using the rite size filters, I put a carbon packet in the protein skimmer and a phosphate packet in the filter. Last Friday I did a 50% water change with distilled water. The tank water is green. I can't seem to get over this hump. All of the parameters are testing ok. I checked nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, and Ph.

What can I do to fix this? I want to get fish but can't until I get this lined out. I started it up with live sand and live rock. I have two 165w led lights.

[Djturna4thakidz]

Originally Posted by Kyreeflove

I have a 75 gallon tank I set up at Christmas and I have been fighting it for the last two weeks. I have a reef octopus 2000 protein skimmer, 2 power heads, and a magnum 350 pump. I am using the rite size filters, I put a carbon packet in the protein skimmer and a phosphate packet in the filter. Last Friday I did a 50% water change with distilled water. The tank water is green. I can't seem to get over this hump. All of the parameters are testing ok. I checked nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, and Ph.



What can I do to fix this? I want to get fish but can't until I get this lined out. I started it up with live sand and live rock. I have two 165w led lights.

Hello, yeah starting up a new tank can be a pain. I just did the same thing and I am just waiting for the algae to die down. Anyway, first, you said you put a carbon packet in your protein skimmer? I have never heard of this. IMO it will not allow the protein skimmer to produce quality skimate and that may be one reason for poor water visibility. I would get the carbon into a high flow area of the sump. You may want to consider a carbon reactor too, which will greatly enhance water clarity.

Your power heads are both on?

Can you give us some more info on your setup?

[chimmike]

if the water is green you have an abundance of algae. I wonder what your phosphate reading is?

When you say magnum 350 pump, do you mean magnum 350 filter?

Distilled water is generally OK if store-bought, but I wonder if your source water has dissolved solids causing the algae issues.

What's your salinity reading?
Photoperiod? (How long are you lights on/what kind of lights)

[Kyreeflove]

Yes it's a magnum 350 filter. My salinity is 1.026 and my lights or on half strength for 12 hours a day.

My distilled water Kane from Kroger