Pics of my Tank

[Tackett]

Check it out guys here are a few pics of my tank and its setup, I need some advice, I started a thread on Shroom help and posted a pic on that thread, as you can see they look a little weird. So does my Torch Coral. And there is a weird white residue that WILL NOT come off the front glass. However, as you can see, the Maxima clam and fish (I like firefish if you couldnt tell) are doing fine.

 

[Tackett]

another

 

[prafferty]

What are the water parameters? Im thinking they arent good looking at the pictures.

How old is the tank?

 

[Tackett]

another

 

[Tackett]

Water is perfect, Nitrates 0, Nitrites 0, PH 8.4, SG 1.026, Ammonia 0, Phosphates 0. Tank is about a year old..maybe 8 months. Decent amount of algae but cant get rid of it without a UV sterilizer.

 

[Tackett]

last one

 

[MelanieF]

Your shrooms look kinda like mine do when I need to replace some evaporated water and the sg is a little higher than normal...

Don't know if that's the problem or not but it shouldn't cost much to get a different kind of sg meter and compare your results to the one you're using now.

 

[Tackett]

Ok now this is the last one. This is my filter and skimmer setup it should be mega overkill.

 

[Tackett]

You know thats probably not a bad idea. I like to keep the SG a little on the high side, the fish always seem to act and look a little better around 1.026 or 1.027. Maybe ill take it down to about 1.022 or 1.023 whaddya think?

 

[srbayless]

Howdy,

If I am not mistaken, your PH seems a little high as well. I believe 8.2 is right on target, so you may want to bring that down.

Good luck,

Scott.

 

[Tackett]

took down the PH and SG last night but havent been able to check on them this morning on account of work and all, but will update when I get to check them out. BTW a UV sterilizer will take care of that algae will it not? Because for some reason no matter what I do I always have algae. No Phosphates either I use store bought R/O filtered water from wal mart

 

[buoymarker28]

If you still have the problem then i suggest taking out the DSB.

I'm sure some of you are about to jump down my throat!

 

[Ben1]

Id that a suckclone I see in the sump?

 

[tazdevil]

No Phosphates either I use store bought R/O filtered water from wal mart

That may or may not be true. Also, you could get a phosphate reading of "0" and still have high phosphates, all the free phosphate is taken up by the algae, so you get a reading of 0. As far as the water from walmart, it all depends on how up they are on their R/O DI cartridge changes. Unless your buying pre-filled, but I'd still check that water with a TDS meter if you can (there may be a high nitrate level in it, which would support the algae growth, and if all the free nitrate is taken up by the algae, again, you get a reading of 0).

UV sterilizers are not usually recommended. I don't think it would solve the algae problem, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Ben1]

If the skimmer is a seaclone, replace it ASAP. I also think that taz is right that the p04 and Nitrate is only reading 0 as its used up by the algae as soon as you import it. As the hair algae and cyno die back it will be re-released into the water and cuase more blloms.

What would a UV steralizer do for an algae bloom anyway, not vey much.
To get rid of the algae I would run carbon, get a good skimmer, use a toothbrush and manually clean the rock the best you can. Follow that with good detritus management and good water changes.

As far as the water from wal mart is it RO or deionized? FWIW, it may save you money and buy a RO/DI unit for $118. from buckeye and be done with it. Then the water is always there when you need it.

JMO

 

[Ben1]

One more thing I noticed is that it looks as if you have bio-balls/bio-wheel, or both? Either way nitrate factory and un-nessasary I would yank them and use the sump for carbon, skimmer, heater, and return pumps. A filter sock wouldnt hurt if you clean it regularly. What kind of lighting do you have and what size is the tank.


HTH