frustrated with filtration!

Thorndunes · 02/20/2006, 07:32 AM

I am currently on my second salt water tank. My first one was a 35g. fish only with a hang on bio-wheel filter. I had no problems with this tank (other than my poor choice of tankmates) and the sand always looks great!
My current tank is a 75g with a 30g fuge/sump. I run a skimmer and am having a HUGE battle with algae! I have a scwd and two powersweeps for circulation. I try to syphon as much as I can but it KEEPS COMING! AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I should also mention I was on city water before and am now on a well out in the country. Would a biowheel help? What would be the downside to it? Please help a newbie!

Shooter7 · 02/20/2006, 07:39 AM

Do you have an RO/DI or are you just putting well water directly into the tank? If you don't have an RO/DI, that's probably your problem.

TekCat · 02/20/2006, 08:50 AM

Use RO/DI or distilled water !!!! Your algea problem is fueled by the water you put in your tank. And adding biowheel will only worsen the problem.

Agu · 02/20/2006, 09:01 AM

Well water in your area is very high in minerals and is probably the cause of your problems.

bheron · 02/20/2006, 09:10 AM

Algae is caused by high nutrients in your water. LIke above, it could be your source water. The safest bet is to get water thats been purified. Even better is to buy an RO/DI maker so that you always have pure water. Its one of the key factors in a successful reef.

If its not your water, the nutrients could be comeing from overfeeding, too much bioload in your tank, not enough water changes, or a combination of all the above.

Finally, if this is a new tank, it could be an algae bloom as part of the startup process.

Thorndunes · 02/21/2006, 07:19 PM

I do have a RO/DI filter, I've ordered the replacement cart. for it thinking that may be the problem...How much should I feed? I have 3 small green chromis, a four line wrasse, assorted cleaners, an emerald crab, cleaner shrimp.....
I feed a cube of food every other day so I don't think that's too much...is it?

jimbo045 · 02/22/2006, 06:58 PM

Choose Tangs to help in picking at the live rock so less algae. jd

bertoni · 02/22/2006, 07:00 PM

I would feed maybe 1/4 cube of frozen Formula 1 per day, maybe a bit more. I think feeding every day helps reduce the "nutrient bomb" effect of feeding.

02/20/2006, 07:32 AM	#1
Thorndunes Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Eau Claire ,Wisconsin Posts: 202	frustrated with filtration! I am currently on my second salt water tank. My first one was a 35g. fish only with a hang on bio-wheel filter. I had no problems with this tank (other than my poor choice of tankmates) and the sand always looks great! My current tank is a 75g with a 30g fuge/sump. I run a skimmer and am having a HUGE battle with algae! I have a scwd and two powersweeps for circulation. I try to syphon as much as I can but it KEEPS COMING! AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I should also mention I was on city water before and am now on a well out in the country. Would a biowheel help? What would be the downside to it? Please help a newbie! __________________ " Moderatio Est Figmentum" Current Tank Info: 75 g reef tank with 55g fuge/sump

02/20/2006, 07:39 AM	#2
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Do you have an RO/DI or are you just putting well water directly into the tank? If you don't have an RO/DI, that's probably your problem. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

02/20/2006, 09:01 AM	#4
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Well water in your area is very high in minerals and is probably the cause of your problems. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

02/20/2006, 09:10 AM	#5
bheron Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Valley Forge, PA Posts: 2,655	Algae is caused by high nutrients in your water. LIke above, it could be your source water. The safest bet is to get water thats been purified. Even better is to buy an RO/DI maker so that you always have pure water. Its one of the key factors in a successful reef. If its not your water, the nutrients could be comeing from overfeeding, too much bioload in your tank, not enough water changes, or a combination of all the above. Finally, if this is a new tank, it could be an algae bloom as part of the startup process. __________________ Bryan Current Tank Info: 220 since Nov 2005

02/21/2006, 07:19 PM	#6
Thorndunes Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Eau Claire ,Wisconsin Posts: 202	I do have a RO/DI filter, I've ordered the replacement cart. for it thinking that may be the problem...How much should I feed? I have 3 small green chromis, a four line wrasse, assorted cleaners, an emerald crab, cleaner shrimp..... I feed a cube of food every other day so I don't think that's too much...is it? __________________ " Moderatio Est Figmentum" Current Tank Info: 75 g reef tank with 55g fuge/sump

02/20/2006, 08:50 AM	#3
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	Use RO/DI or distilled water !!!! Your algea problem is fueled by the water you put in your tank. And adding biowheel will only worsen the problem.

02/22/2006, 06:58 PM	#7
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	Choose Tangs to help in picking at the live rock so less algae. jd

02/22/2006, 07:00 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would feed maybe 1/4 cube of frozen Formula 1 per day, maybe a bit more. I think feeding every day helps reduce the "nutrient bomb" effect of feeding. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni