Help Selecting a Carbon Filter!

casshoward · 05/26/2006, 12:07 PM

I have a 170gal bow, set-up and cycling since December (140# inital load of LR with lots of life). I have a few softies and 2 clowns (several snails, few crabs (5), and Orange Linkia star). Since running my lights for my softies, the hair algea, red slim, brown stuff --diatom?. I am looking for a carbon filter. Does anyone have a brand or model that they are super pleased with?

Any advice on a good maker and what size for my set-up?

Cass
Still a newbie

Monkeyfish · 05/26/2006, 12:27 PM

I'm not sure that carbon is the answer. Diatoms feed off of silicates and typically die out on their own once the tank has matured a bit. Hair algae is not uncommon in newer systems - it feeds off of phosphate and nitrates in the water (and of course light). Cyanobacteria or Red Slime is usually a sign of too much nutrient in the water and not enough flow.

If you haven't already - test the water for the above. I'd start off by doing a large water change, siphon out the red slime and manually extract the hair algae, put carbon (chemipure or Black Diamond) in a filter sock in your sump and.... be patient.

RobinsonFam1 · 05/26/2006, 05:06 PM

also make sure you are not feeding more than a couple to less times a week too. feeding will help create more nutrients=more algae/problems.

increase flow to the areas that have hair and cyano too. this will help them from coming back.

diatoms will happen everytime you have a nitogen cycle if it is significant enough.

casshoward · 05/27/2006, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the advice. I have been feeding my Clowns every other day (1/2 cube of frozen shrimp). Hopefully, this is not too much, but I do think there is more slim since I got my fish 10 days ago.

05/26/2006, 12:07 PM	#1
casshoward Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 218	Help Selecting a Carbon Filter! I have a 170gal bow, set-up and cycling since December (140# inital load of LR with lots of life). I have a few softies and 2 clowns (several snails, few crabs (5), and Orange Linkia star). Since running my lights for my softies, the hair algea, red slim, brown stuff --diatom?. I am looking for a carbon filter. Does anyone have a brand or model that they are super pleased with? Any advice on a good maker and what size for my set-up? Cass Still a newbie

05/26/2006, 12:27 PM	#2
Monkeyfish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island (NY) Posts: 4,077	I'm not sure that carbon is the answer. Diatoms feed off of silicates and typically die out on their own once the tank has matured a bit. Hair algae is not uncommon in newer systems - it feeds off of phosphate and nitrates in the water (and of course light). Cyanobacteria or Red Slime is usually a sign of too much nutrient in the water and not enough flow. If you haven't already - test the water for the above. I'd start off by doing a large water change, siphon out the red slime and manually extract the hair algae, put carbon (chemipure or Black Diamond) in a filter sock in your sump and.... be patient. __________________ Eric "One thing that humbles me deeply is to see that human genius has its limits while human stupidity does not." Current Tank Info: Taking a break

05/27/2006, 08:00 AM	#4
casshoward Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 218	Thanks for the Info! Thanks for the advice. I have been feeding my Clowns every other day (1/2 cube of frozen shrimp). Hopefully, this is not too much, but I do think there is more slim since I got my fish 10 days ago.

05/26/2006, 05:06 PM	#3
RobinsonFam1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: USA Posts: 616	also make sure you are not feeding more than a couple to less times a week too. feeding will help create more nutrients=more algae/problems. increase flow to the areas that have hair and cyano too. this will help them from coming back. diatoms will happen everytime you have a nitogen cycle if it is significant enough.