HELP!

[Clyde]

My 24 gallon aquapod has started to get algae growth on my clove polyps (and are not open) and some other soft corals. Lack of water flow is what I was thinking. My shrooms are not opening like they should either. I just got a maxijet 1200 and I had a splitter for the outflow to redirect water to areas that need it. I put the maxi in the back and I keep getting micro bubbles. Water level is fine, not sucking air. I also put phos sponge in second compartment of back to help decrease algae growth.

 

I am frustrated with my tank at this point. When I had my 10 gallon I never had problems.

 

Venting over. Questions.

1) is the maxi 1200 too much?

2) is algae growth on my clove and leather from no water flow?

3) what else can I do?

p.s. all my levels are right on. s.g. .026. phos was too high to read.

[jamesbuf]

phos was too high to read.

 

 

You answered your own question. Do a bunch of water changes the next few day to get it down. You could also get a nylon bag and fill it with phosphate remover, and put it somewhere in the back compartments.

 

How much do you feed?? Sounds like you're probably overfeeding if your phosphates are that high.

[Origami]

Are you using distilled or RO/DI water to mix up your water, or are you using water from the tap?

[Origami]

Where are you located?

[lhcorals]

My wifes 25 Gal. nano had similar problems. Her Zoo's and Buttons would'nt open. We found that her Nitrates were high (really high). We did 2 Gal water changes every 2 days. After about 5 water changes everything opened back up. We now do a 2 gal. water change every 3 days just to stay on top of it, it only takes about five minutes and it's working out really well. We have learned that with these small tanks you cant get behind on water changes, and have to feed very lightly. I wish it was as easy as my 265 gal. Dont get discouraged with it just get in a routine with water changes.

[zygote2k]

I maintain a 12 gallon aquapod that had similiar problems. Not enough current, heat, and over-feeding were causing nuisance algae and cyano to grow.

First, I pulled the splitter off the return- Voila! Instant increase. Second, I removed the additional Rio 90 which caused a 1-2 degree increase in temp.

Thirdly, I removed all of the filtration media and filled the back chamber with Aragamax to act as a DSB. Fourth, all the lights were put on more appropriate cycles. I also added a large clump of Chaeto and Halymenia ( Dragons Breath ). I don't recommend using any adsorption chemicals like Phosgone. Only carbon. Here's a pic before the modifications:

[Clyde]

Too answer a few of the questions. I know my phos is high and added phos sponge in second compartment. I do 5 gallon water change every week. I work in the medical field so I get RO/DI water from work. My nitrates just above 0. I think 5.

I live in Arlington. I think my daughter is a bit heavy handed with the food. Why no phosban?

Edited November 28, 2008 by Clyde

[Clyde]

zygote2k "I removed all of the filtration media and filled the back chamber with Aragamax to act as a DSB."

 

In the three chamber system, I assume you put the sand in the middle chamber? I have ceramic and live rock. Not a lot though. What do you use in first chamber? I use the stock sponge. Should I use a carbon filter that I can make fit?

 

Thanx

Edited November 28, 2008 by Clyde

[lhcorals]

Too answer a few of the questions. I know my phos is high and added phos sponge in second compartment. I do 5 gallon water change every week. I work in the medical field so I get RO/DI water from work. My nitrates just above 0. I think 5.

I live in Arlington. I think my daughter is a bit heavy handed with the food. Why no phosban?

 

 

IMO I think in the smaller tanks instead of a 20% water change once a week, two 10% water changes a week will benifit the tank better. It does'nt take long for a small amount of water to have its parameters change. I dont see a problem with running Phosban. Another product you can look into is Pura Complete, I run it in my 265 and have started running it in my wifes 25 gal. Its the same as Chemi Pure Elite just does not cost as much.

Edited November 28, 2008 by lhcorals

[zygote2k]

I don't use phosban or chemipure. The macro algae in the tank helps with nitrate and uses whatever phosphate might be there to grow. I like to let the algae do the work that you guys use the chemicals for. The tank gets a 10% water change and about a 1/2 litre of top-off per week. It also gets Purple-up on a weekly basis. I've kept 1/2 of the filter sponge and mesh bag with carbon. I'll take some pics to show what I've done next week.

Edited November 28, 2008 by zygote2k

[Clyde]

I don't use phosban or chemipure. The macro algae in the tank helps with nitrate and uses whatever phosphate might be there to grow. I like to let the algae do the work that you guys use the chemicals for. The tank gets a 10% water change and about a 1/2 litre of top-off per week. It also gets Purple-up on a weekly basis. I've kept 1/2 of the filter sponge and mesh bag with carbon. I'll take some pics to show what I've done next week.

I just did the same thing 20 minutes ago cut my sponge and added a bag with carbon from my fresh water left overs. With chaeto do you need a light in the back? I got a rock that had chaeto growing on it the size of an egg. I got it off and tossed it in the center compartment. Still seems to be about the same size as a week ago.

 

Thanx all for the help. I am sure things will clear up soon.

[zygote2k]

I also have a big clump of chaeto inside the display area cleverly hidden behind a rock, but still receiving enough light to grow.

I believe that the Aquapod and similiar tanks that lack skimmers, you can have a successful reef with the existing hardware and a little algal tweaking.

Edited November 28, 2008 by zygote2k

[davelin315]

I am not familiar with that nano and the room in the back, but I am skeptical of relying solely on algae to remove the impurities. I know that Zygote2K has had a lot of success with his algae filtration, but I don't think you can keep up with the load in a small system like that with the amount of algae that you can place in there. Also, how big is that chamber in the back? I would think that it's too small to effectively support a DSB and being in the back of the tank, I would also think it would turn into a nutrient sink as the water is passing unfiltered into the bed and therefore probably depositing a lot of detritus into the bed. I don't see the harm in carbon and additioanl phosphate removers in your system.

[lhcorals]

We tried the Cheato in the back of my wife's nano, it was a destritus collector. Then again i'm not saying what other people are doing is wrong, it just did not work in our tank. The flow in the back of the nano just seemed like it was'nt enough to stop the destritus from collecting. Ever since we added the Pura Complete the tank has looked great. I'm not an expert on this hobby i just try to pass on what i have learned from other hobbiest.

[dschflier]

I would also recomend a bit of Phosphate remover. You dont need alot for such a small tank it if you use the other recomendations as well as Phosphate remover you should really get the phosphates down quickly. Carbon will not remove Phosphates so it wont really be addressing the problem. I do feel carbon is very usfull but not necessarily to get your phosphates under control. Just my 2 cents. Macro algea is great but you will never be able to remove all your phosphates just using that method in such a small tank.

[jamesbuf]

I thought I remember reading that you don't have a skimmer?? If that is the case, I'm sure getting one would help you out in this situation.

[Clyde]

I thought I remember reading that you don't have a skimmer?? If that is the case, I'm sure getting one would help you out in this situation.

Been surfing to find a small used skimmer.