howaboutme June 13, 2013 June 13, 2013 I dont want to over skim, is that possible? depleting the goods out of the tank to fast, I think I read that somewhere?? If you have algae/cyano, you have excess nutrients and those need to be taken out. That equals skimming or wc's (amongst other things that most will say "no" to, especially for a new tank). You should also cut your light schedule and feed less (or check out my "is this cyano" thread for other suggestions). I think you're a few months behind in terms of life of the tank. I started to get cyano about 2 weeks ago, looks like you're getting your uglies sooner. For new tanks like us, we are still developing the bacteria needed to keep our tanks stable. Just keep at it and be patient. That's what I tell myself, it's easier said than done I know.
XxTech MoneyxX June 13, 2013 Author June 13, 2013 If you have algae/cyano, you have excess nutrients and those need to be taken out. That equals skimming or wc's (amongst other things that most will say "no" to, especially for a new tank). You should also cut your light schedule and feed less (or check out my "is this cyano" thread for other suggestions). I think you're a few months behind in terms of life of the tank. I started to get cyano about 2 weeks ago, looks like you're getting your uglies sooner. For new tanks like us, we are still developing the bacteria needed to keep our tanks stable. Just keep at it and be patient. That's what I tell myself, it's easier said than done I know. As far as feeding, the clown gets fed a pinch of shrimp pellets, so not a long and I give the trumpet coral a baby piece of shrimp twice a week. yeah, I know eventually it will go away Here are couple pictures of the skimmer, its producing bubbles fine but got home today with about a quarter full of clear water in the collection cup turned the skimmer down a smid...literally just cleaned the thing last night
howaboutme June 14, 2013 June 14, 2013 Looks like you're feeding just fine. The skimmer cup looks like it has foam in it, which is good. The 2nd picture also shows good white water. Have you adjusted the water level adjustment dial? It looks like from the instructions, that's how you wet/dry skim. I'm not sure what it means to only have clear water in your collection cup. It should be a green tea color. http://www.coralifeproducts.com/Files/Product/coralife-skimmerinstructions-new-style-revise.pdf
XxTech MoneyxX June 14, 2013 Author June 14, 2013 Yup that's what I keep having to adjust to get the skimate to over flow in the cup, but hear lately I just haven't been getting that tea look? ahh, I will just give it another good clean with vinegar water soak
Jason Rhoads June 14, 2013 June 14, 2013 (edited) Your skimmer does not need to be, and won’t be, overflowing skimmate into the cup all the time. Set it according to the instructions and let it run. Over time, the bubbles and gunk will build up and overflow into the collection cup. There is no need to constantly fiddle with it. I don’t think you have enough bio-load to be producing much skimmate at this point. Edited June 14, 2013 by Jason Rhoads
XxTech MoneyxX June 14, 2013 Author June 14, 2013 Your skimmer does not need to be, and won’t be, overflowing skimmate into the cup all the time. Set it according to the instructions and let it run. Over time, the bubbles and gunk will build up and overflow into the collection cup. There is no need to constantly fiddle with it. I don’t think you have enough bio-load to be producing much skimmate at this point. Hey Jason, thanks for your post. So as me and "Howaboutme" (sorry, I don't know your name) were discusing about the Cyano taking over, does that cause more skimmate? I have gone 2 weeks and didnt see anything happen in the collection cup, that's what prompted me to give Mr. skimmer a cleaning... Well, its not all a bad thing that I'm not producing a lot of skimmate then right... :-) Thanks!
howaboutme June 14, 2013 June 14, 2013 (edited) In my own current experience and from what I've read, the skimmer is suppose to be pulling out a lot of stuff when you have cyano. I think that's the concern right now. Generally, I agree w/ Jason that you should just set the cup and let it go. But if that's all you're getting (from your earlier picture) while having a cyano outbreak, I'd be questioning your skimmer as well. Clean it and report back after a day. Oh..My name is Jack Edited June 14, 2013 by howaboutme
Jason Rhoads June 14, 2013 June 14, 2013 I do agree that the cyno is feeding off of organic matter in the tank, admittedly I do not know much about how cyno operates. Skimming may be very effective in ridding your tank of the nutrient source, or it could do nothing. If the bacteria is feeding off of settled detritus, which would be a flow problem and not organic matter in the water column, then any amount of skimming will be ineffective at removing the cyno until flow is corrected. Cyno is a bit of a mystery to me. I have had one cyno outbreak that was corrected completely through proper flow. During this outbreak I had one of the world's worst performing skimmers that would barely produce 1/4" of skimmate in a month. Another outbreak flourished with a power head blasting directly at it, and a very effective skimmer pulling out a lot of skimmate. Only turning out the lights eventually got it under control. I would try some of the methods mentioned in Jack's cyno thread. It looks like he has some good knowledge to share on this, so go with that. Ultimately you will beat this, just give it time, take it slow and eventually it will work itself out.
XxTech MoneyxX June 14, 2013 Author June 14, 2013 In my own current experience and from what I've read, the skimmer is suppose to be pulling out a lot of stuff when you have cyano. I think that's the concern right now. Generally, I agree w/ Jason that you should just set the cup and let it go. But if that's all you're getting (from your earlier picture) while having a cyano outbreak, I'd be questioning your skimmer as well. Clean it and report back after a day. Oh..My name is Jack I do agree that the cyno is feeding off of organic matter in the tank, admittedly I do not know much about how cyno operates. Skimming may be very effective in ridding your tank of the nutrient source, or it could do nothing. If the bacteria is feeding off of settled detritus, which would be a flow problem and not organic matter in the water column, then any amount of skimming will be ineffective at removing the cyno until flow is corrected. Cyno is a bit of a mystery to me. I have had one cyno outbreak that was corrected completely through proper flow. During this outbreak I had one of the world's worst performing skimmers that would barely produce 1/4" of skimmate in a month. Another outbreak flourished with a power head blasting directly at it, and a very effective skimmer pulling out a lot of skimmate. Only turning out the lights eventually got it under control. I would try some of the methods mentioned in Jack's cyno thread. It looks like he has some good knowledge to share on this, so go with that. Ultimately you will beat this, just give it time, take it slow and eventually it will work itself out. Great, info from both... looks like I will be working on trying diffrent methods to get rid of it. I will get anther powerhead, clean the skimmer then go from there... I have 2 Hydor 850's in there now maybe I need three to get the full cerculation going :-)
XxTech MoneyxX June 20, 2013 Author June 20, 2013 Little update for my WAMAS friends: My masterpiece still has the Cyano but hey im use too it now, and i just take it out each weekly WC. Levels: Cal: 520 (did wc on sat) Water Hardness: 11 You know the deal with nitrate and phos. Clown looks like hes gotten a little bigger :-) should be I feed him everyday lol shoot he eats more than me! Xenia is getting bigger and I seen three new staulks growing away from the original colony so thats good. Trumpet Coral well that looks the same swells up when the light is on then deflates when they turn off. Mushrooms are doing swell too seen another grow from nowhere lol zoos look good too although no new ones :-( maybe one day. Snails, oh they justkeep hatching there are baby blobs with little humps on there back all overthe rock. Thanks for looking friends.
XxTech MoneyxX June 20, 2013 Author June 20, 2013 Hey thanks Jason! only question I have is, can I add sand to the tank? live or Regular? The reason I ask is becasue when I'm getting out that Cyano, I always tend to suck of a bunch of sand too... Has me thinking am I sucking out my good bacteria :-(...
Jason Rhoads June 20, 2013 June 20, 2013 (edited) You sure can. I would do it like this: On your next water change, collect some of the old tank water (without Cyno in it) in a tub or bucket Pour your new sand into this to rinse it Discard the cloudy water Turn off all pumps/power heads/skimmer Add the wet sand a little at a time Allow time for any cloudiness to clear Be sure that the total added layer is not too thick (an inch or so is probably fine) as you want the creatures in your sand bed to be able to migrate up into the new sand layer. Adding too much will starve them of oxygen. Edited June 20, 2013 by Jason Rhoads
YHSublime June 20, 2013 June 20, 2013 Hey thanks Jason! only question I have is, can I add sand to the tank? live or Regular? The reason I ask is becasue when I'm getting out that Cyano, I always tend to suck of a bunch of sand too... Has me thinking am I sucking out my good bacteria :-(... How much sand are you really taking out during a water change? I can't imagine that much? Probably not worth the hassle of adding more, IMO.
XxTech MoneyxX June 20, 2013 Author June 20, 2013 You sure can. I would do it like this: On your next water change, collect some of the old tank water (without Cyno in it) in a tub or bucket Pour your new sand into this to rinse it Discard the cloudy water Turn off all pumps/power heads/skimmer Add the wet sand a little at a time Allow time for any cloudiness to clear Be sure that the total added layer is not too thick (an inch or so is probably fine) as you want the creatures in your sand bed to be able to migrate up into the new sand layer. Adding too much will starve them of oxygen. How much sand are you really taking out during a water change? I can't imagine that much? Probably not worth the hassle of adding more, IMO. I think since I have taken out maybe 5 to 6 pounds maybe... Either way I learned something here, how to ass sand :-) thank you very much!!
XxTech MoneyxX July 21, 2013 Author July 21, 2013 (edited) . Looks like he has a new friend Edited July 21, 2013 by XxTech MoneyxX
XxTech MoneyxX July 23, 2013 Author July 23, 2013 Thank you for the reply :-) He comes out of it to eat but goes right back in! only thing is when the GSP turns to a mat when the lights goes out he leaves but comes right back as soon as he see's some of the polps come out lol. I have new pictures that I will post this evening for those that are still following my thread. The tank is almost 4 months old :-) Although its only a 36 gallon, I love the progress of my tank!
XxTech MoneyxX October 2, 2013 Author October 2, 2013 Hello! Wanted to post the updated picture 6 months strong: Other than the phosphates being at .25 everything else seems to be doing pretty good! Standby for the upcoming 120g FOWLR build!!!
smallreef October 2, 2013 October 2, 2013 Yay for big tanks! Looks good...though your phos issue may be lack of biological filtration..not sure how much your feeding...
XxTech MoneyxX October 2, 2013 Author October 2, 2013 Oh yeah and the aphasia have just taken over lol
XxTech MoneyxX October 2, 2013 Author October 2, 2013 Yeah I'm sure it's the biological filtration. I don't have a sump so the skimmer is my buddy. I need a stand for the 120 so once I figure out how to build one or I find a deal on WAMAS I'm on chill mode. It will be an aggressive tank so can anyone help with how many fish I should go with and maybe a good selection of fish I should go with?
smallreef October 2, 2013 October 2, 2013 (edited) Ahhhh that I can help with... My previous 150g was a fowlr with triggers and a few other fun fish, wrasses, foxface, crazy gulf toadfish.. And as far as building a stand..I can send ya pictures of the last big stand I built...turned out well..and as Long as you own a table saw and miter saw you can do it easy..and probably cost less than $200 in lumber... Edited October 2, 2013 by smallreef
XxTech MoneyxX October 2, 2013 Author October 2, 2013 I think I'm going to try my luck and see if any WAMAS members are selling one... I'm not to savy making stuff... When I start it please help me on picking return pump, skimmer etc.
smallreef October 2, 2013 October 2, 2013 Well.... We are all good for input! And as much help as we can be...
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