CorallineAlgae said:That may be overstocked. Algae and water quality can be hard to control in hex tanks. Most light fixtures can't properly reach the bottom and it takes a lot of flow to oxygenate them as well.
One issue you're likely to run into with a HOB refugium is fit. You might not have enough length to fit any but the smallest HOB refugiums. How long is the back panel and is there already a filter on the back?
Honestly, with a 30 hex tank you'll be better off investing in a skimmer. It would go a long way to oxygenate a tall tank with a small surface. It'll also help pull out excess organics that feed the algae. I know a refugium would help with both issues, too. I'm just not sure you could hang a large enough refugium to be of help. Those glass panels are narrow.
Gvillboy said:I don't think being over stocked or the possibility of being over stocked is the issue...my algae problem was worse when I only had 3 fish, lol believe it or not! I've made some changes in food and how I feed and it seems to have slowed growth down tremendously. The problem is I want algae gone!
Flow is not problem I have two power heads the give my tank plenty of flow!
Yes, there is a filter already on the back that I plan to replace with some sort of canister. The length across the back is a foot long so would have to find a very small one! Any ideas?
I think what I'll do is invest in a protein skimmer and see how that goes!
CorallineAlgae said:That's good to hear. Plenty of flow and careful feeding were good steps.
I don't know of a refugium that'll fit though I'm willing to bet you could find one online that'll be about a foot long.
Just to make certain.. about how old are the lamps in your light fixture. I'm willing to bet that a skimmer would help control your algae, but I want to factor out every possible cause from your system that I can.
Gvillboy said:I've been looking, the smallest one I can find is 14 inches. I bought my lights about 3 months ago. So I think I'll bye a small skimmer for a 30-55 gallon tank. If you know of any, feel free to offer.
And to make things worse I found two fish with ich... I can't win with my salt water tank!
CorallineAlgae said:Ouch! To be fair, column and tall hex tanks can be hard for many of us to keep going well without a sump and a skimmer. Don't be to hard on yourself.
About ich, you should make a post in the sick fish boards. It'll be hard to combat without a quarantine tank but not impossible. Just don't medicate your main tank if you can help it. Try making a post and get some ideas from the experts here. I always use a separate tank to treat saltwater fish.
I'll take a look into it because my tank has hair algae growing everywhere and I need to find a method to stop it????
melosu58 said: