Phosphate Question

[Mystical Lady]

My name is Jan .....and I overfeed...... there I said it lol

 

so therefore I have a cyano problem.... I cut back the lights, which are new bulbs, to 6hrs and still having problems..... I am trying to cut back on the feeding but I don't want to starve my tank inhabitants....I just dont' quite know HOW MUCH to feed at one sitting and still make sure everyone gets their bellies full.... I put in 1-mysis cube, 1- cyclops cube.... twice a day....for a 30G tank.... anyway, my question is.....

 

what kind of Phosphate media should I use?? (I have a Hang-on the tank filter)also what is the best testing kit for Phosphates??

/http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/NavResults.cfm?Ntt=phosphate&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=2004&Nty=1&va=1

 

any suggestions would be VERY appreciated!!! this red stuff is driving me NUTSO!!

Edited June 27, 2007 by Mystical Lady

[Sugar Magnolia]

Wow, that is ALOT of food for that size tank. I have a 30 gallon and only feed a pinch of Formula One Flake a day, or a pinch of pellets.

 

So far you're doing the right thing by cutting back lighting, but you can do a few more things. First, stop feeding completely for about three or four days and leave the lights completely off. Fish and corals will be fine. Syphon off as much as the cyano that you can, on a daily basis, and add some Phosban to your hang on filter. It comes with a micron bag, so just add some to the bag and pop it in the HOB.

 

Test kit? Nomallyh I would suggest Salifert, but apparently they are having some issues right now. I have a Seachem phosphate kit that seems to work well.

[Guest Undercoverdork]

I would buy and use RowaPhos and cut back on the lights for a whole day

this should do the trick...

 

 

 

How i feed in my 20g

 

i feed 10-15 pellets (rotate 3 kinds) per day

1/2 cube of frozen food (rotate 4 kinds) per day

 

i have 2 oc clowns, midas blenny, and a yashi hashi goby

[yauger]

feeding your tank seems to be a personal choice, that is to the amount of bio-load your skimmer and live rocks can handle. I feed 1 cube every 2 days to feed my 2 purple headed darts, and blenny. Whatever they don't eat the hermits and shrimps take care of it for me.

 

BTW you fish should be fine with 1 cube of food a day (not 4) even at that I think it is over kill. IMHO of course...

[yauger]

As for the Cyano, you need to do a couple of things...

1. Reduce lighting (sounds like you've done this already)

2. Increase flow (add a powerhead)

3. Reduce amount of food your feeding (note message above)

4. Water change (at least 25% volume)

5. Optional - Add fuge

6. Optional - Add PhosBan reactor and run carbon with Phosban.

 

hope this helps!

[jason the filter freak]

I would increase flow and avoid dead spots, I had sheets of the stuff in my tank (cyano) at one point. Added a few power heads and with in a week or so my hermits took care of the rest.

[treesprite]

I am trying to cut back on the feeding but I don't want to starve my tank inhabitants

 

That's exactly my problem. The tank size has something to do with it, because the food being small particles spread out makes it appear that there isn't enough food there, and the fish have to dart all over the place so some of it goes to the bottom without being eaten.

[yauger]

That's exactly my problem. The tank size has something to do with it, because the food being small particles spread out makes it appear that there isn't enough food there, and the fish have to dart all over the place so some of it goes to the bottom without being eaten.

 

your fish graze all day long on your live rock and they should have a supplement feeding via frozen or live food. you fish will look literally starved to death if they are not getting enough food. if you can't seem to not over feed then you can buy a automatic fish feeder and measure pre set amounts of food for your little fishy friends.

[Mystical Lady]

if you can't seem to not over feed

 

 

*holds up 3 fingers* Scouts honor.... I am seriously trying NOT to overfeed now......... now that I understand that what I am feeding is a 'supplement' ..... Once I read what everyone is feeding I can adjust my food schedlue and amount........ I just always heard "I feed 3 times a day" so I just figured the fish NEED food at least 3 times a day........ now I see they don't neccessarily need all that food.........

 

Thanks!!

[lanman]

*holds up 3 fingers* Scouts honor.... I am seriously trying NOT to overfeed now......... now that I understand that what I am feeding is a 'supplement' ..... Once I read what everyone is feeding I can adjust my food schedlue and amount........ I just always heard "I feed 3 times a day" so I just figured the fish NEED food at least 3 times a day........ now I see they don't neccessarily need all that food.........

 

Thanks!!

My Anthia's are supposed to be fed 3 times a day... but most fish don't need it. I feed them twice a day, usually; a few pellets when I get home from work, and assorted frozen stuff just before bed.

 

bob

[treesprite]

i also have been trying not to overfeed them anymore, but i dont know... is the big clown just greedy or actually hungry?

[yauger]

i also have been trying not to overfeed them anymore, but i dont know... is the big clown just greedy or actually hungry?

 

Greedy... clowns always like attention.... they will constantly act hungry, pay them no mind for they are just "clowning around"

[treesprite]

Greedy... clowns always like attention.... they will constantly act hungry, pay them no mind for they are just "clowning around"

 

LOL