GreenAlgae Problem - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

CluelessInNY · 05-04-2008, 11:24 PM

Thanks guys.

Kurt, is a submersible powerhead a good idea?
I'll turn off the bubbles....it seemed like my damselfish liked to play in them

I'll also try keeping the lights off. And I'll add some snails once my NitrItes and ammonia tail back down to zero.

I might also invest in some more rock. Looks kinda scant in there. Oh, also, I did a 25% water change yesterday.

Kurt_Nelson · 05-04-2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CluelessInNY

Thanks guys.

Kurt, is a submersible powerhead a good idea?

Not sure what you mean... as I mentioned, you're most likely going to want more flow in there. Most folks shoot for between 10x and 20x their tank size in circulation turnover per hour. For example, if you have a 30 gallon tank, you should plan for a combined powerhead and filter pump capacity of 300 to 600 gallons/hour. You'll find the gallons/hour rating on either the powerhead itself, or somewhere in the literature that came with it.

CluelessInNY · 05-04-2008, 11:39 PM

I was looking at a "submersible" powerhead today. Apparently, you can stick it in the substrate and circulate the water entirely below the surface.
No idea what that means either, but apparently it exists.

Kurt_Nelson · 05-05-2008, 02:03 AM

All powerheads are submersible. You either suction cup them to your side glass, or use magnetic mounts. I highly recommend magnetic mounts.

**roka64** · 05-05-2008, 12:26 PM

That submersible may be part of an undergravel filter, which you don't want. Look at the Hydor Korelias, I love mine.

CluelessInNY · 05-07-2008, 10:55 AM

Update: killing the lights has helped! two days after blacking out the tank, I have much less algae!!!
My tanks is humming along at normal alk, nitrA 2.5, nitrI .05, pH 8.0, and ammonia .25
I can hear my clownfish calling in a couple of weeks

**Ziggy953** · 05-07-2008, 11:12 AM

I agree with Kurt. Also you will probably want to add much more LR to your tank. For good filtration you will want 1.5 to 2lbs per gallon. The top you have on your tank is going to give you issues with your PH down the road. Also the power head you have you can take the air inlet off you don't need it in a SW tank. It will turn your tank into a giant skimmer not to mention add to the salt creep on your hood.

From the numbers you posted it looks like your tank never fully cycled but you are on your way. Add some more LR and or base rock to your tank add more flow and siphon out the cyano.

CluelessInNY · 05-07-2008, 11:37 AM

The hood is a pH problem waiting to happen? How so? UGH!
I thought I recorded a nitrAte spike on 4/17 of 10. I've had the tank for almost two months and had a Damsel in there until this past weekend. The LFS guy said it's okay to take her out and add some rock if I wished. I'll defintiely add some more LR this weekend. sounds like I need 40 lbs of the stuff, but at $9/lbs., I will only add maybe 10 more lbs as budget allows.

**roka64** · 05-07-2008, 12:28 PM

The hood will reduce the O2 exchange, thus lowering your pH. I had a lid on and couldn't keep a higher pH and I got tired of using a pH buffer (I like to do things the natural way, as much as possible).
Check out dry base rock or lace rock, it's a lot more cheaper.

CluelessInNY · 05-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Alright, we are week into my tiny LR collection of 8 lbs. and I've heard the advice here about upping htat amount and maybe adding something called "base rock", which might run a bit cheaper. Sooooo, the questions at hand are...
1) what is base rock?
2) am I upsetting bioload with the added rock?
3) do accesories like plastic plants, plastic ornaments, etc add to the bioload or affect chemical balance?
4) is it okay to add a clean-up crew yet, or is that for after I add the clownfish?

05-05-2008, 12:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,380 Images: 12	That submersible may be part of an undergravel filter, which you don't want. Look at the Hydor Korelias, I love mine. __________________ Uh-oh, I just overloaded my Bioload! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

05-07-2008, 10:55 AM	#16 (permalink)
CluelessInNY Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 20 minutes northwest of NYC Posts: 116	Update: killing the lights has helped! two days after blacking out the tank, I have much less algae!!! My tanks is humming along at normal alk, nitrA 2.5, nitrI .05, pH 8.0, and ammonia .25 I can hear my clownfish calling in a couple of weeks Last edited by CluelessInNY; 05-07-2008 at 11:05 AM.

05-07-2008, 11:12 AM	#17 (permalink)
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 2,881 Images: 5	I agree with Kurt. Also you will probably want to add much more LR to your tank. For good filtration you will want 1.5 to 2lbs per gallon. The top you have on your tank is going to give you issues with your PH down the road. Also the power head you have you can take the air inlet off you don't need it in a SW tank. It will turn your tank into a giant skimmer not to mention add to the salt creep on your hood. From the numbers you posted it looks like your tank never fully cycled but you are on your way. Add some more LR and or base rock to your tank add more flow and siphon out the cyano. __________________ Happy Reefing! *NEW 150G Pick up 6/29/08 Build will be 4th of July weekend* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

05-07-2008, 12:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,380 Images: 12	The hood will reduce the O2 exchange, thus lowering your pH. I had a lid on and couldn't keep a higher pH and I got tired of using a pH buffer (I like to do things the natural way, as much as possible). Check out dry base rock or lace rock, it's a lot more cheaper. __________________ Uh-oh, I just overloaded my Bioload! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

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05-04-2008, 11:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
CluelessInNY Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 20 minutes northwest of NYC Posts: 116	Thanks guys. Kurt, is a submersible powerhead a good idea? I'll turn off the bubbles....it seemed like my damselfish liked to play in them I'll also try keeping the lights off. And I'll add some snails once my NitrItes and ammonia tail back down to zero. I might also invest in some more rock. Looks kinda scant in there. Oh, also, I did a 25% water change yesterday.

05-04-2008, 11:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
CluelessInNY Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 20 minutes northwest of NYC Posts: 116	I was looking at a "submersible" powerhead today. Apparently, you can stick it in the substrate and circulate the water entirely below the surface. No idea what that means either, but apparently it exists.

05-05-2008, 02:03 AM	#14 (permalink)
Kurt_Nelson Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: WA Posts: 1,918 Images: 28	All powerheads are submersible. You either suction cup them to your side glass, or use magnetic mounts. I highly recommend magnetic mounts.

05-07-2008, 11:37 AM	#18 (permalink)
CluelessInNY Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 20 minutes northwest of NYC Posts: 116	The hood is a pH problem waiting to happen? How so? UGH! I thought I recorded a nitrAte spike on 4/17 of 10. I've had the tank for almost two months and had a Damsel in there until this past weekend. The LFS guy said it's okay to take her out and add some rock if I wished. I'll defintiely add some more LR this weekend. sounds like I need 40 lbs of the stuff, but at $9/lbs., I will only add maybe 10 more lbs as budget allows.

05-09-2008, 12:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
CluelessInNY Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 20 minutes northwest of NYC Posts: 116	Alright, we are week into my tiny LR collection of 8 lbs. and I've heard the advice here about upping htat amount and maybe adding something called "base rock", which might run a bit cheaper. Sooooo, the questions at hand are... 1) what is base rock? 2) am I upsetting bioload with the added rock? 3) do accesories like plastic plants, plastic ornaments, etc add to the bioload or affect chemical balance? 4) is it okay to add a clean-up crew yet, or is that for after I add the clownfish?