Advise needed,Question on flow???

[uf_gators]

Hey guys, I am at my witts end with tring to move power heads everywhere for flow adjusting . Ok I have a 40 breeder and I have a voyager 1 , at 615gph, 2 koralia's at 425, and 550gph.

I always have detritus on my sand bed everyday like I didn't clean in a week. This is so aggravating.... So my question is , if I was to bite the bullet and get a vortech mp10 and put it on the end of my tank, like others here swear up and down about these pumps. Will this fix my issue of this problem ? Reason I am asking is I can find better things to spend 235.00 on 1 powerhead , and I don't want to waste my hard earn money . Sorry for the clowns . They like their pic taken.... Lol thx!!!

 

[ChoxRox]

Hmm... interested in an answer for this.

 

[kgross]

It looks to me a lot like you have diatoms growing on your sand bed, more so than detritus building up.

 

[uall8up]

Diatoms is exactly what I was thinking!!!

 

[uf_gators]

Ok, well how do I fix this ? , I have cut back to every other day feeding and at 1 time a day and I still have this issue. I just got new ati bulds 2 months ago. New bigger skimmer. Went to a sump instead of a canister ... I don't know.

 

[uf_gators]

Also I stopped dosing 3 weeks ago. I even went to for the past 2 weeks. Running just a bare sump, big skimmer (seaside aquatics CS1), and a foam filter that I clean out every 4 days .... Omg , this sux!!! Not having a clean tank....

 

[reefer54]

Have you given any thought to either vinegar or vodka dosing?

 

[kgross]

Diatoms, are normally fueled by silicates in your top off water, or from some other source. Are you using RO/DI water for all water for your tank? If not, or if your DI is close to exhausted that is your problem.

Kim

 

[Pappy]

Key question...how long has tank been running and what r u using for clean up crew? I'd recommend a bunch of nassarius snails, goby, and maybe a couple sand sifting stars.

 

[uf_gators]

Have you given any thought to either vinegar or vodka dosing?

Not much, cause I haven't read into this that much...

 

[uf_gators]

Diatoms, are normally fueled by silicates in your top off water, or from some other source. Are you using RO/DI water for all water for your tank? If not, or if your DI is close to exhausted that is your problem.

Kim

Yes , all my water is RODI water... Never ever seen tap water. I also changed lfs stores for RODI water as well. Still have the problem.

 

[uf_gators]

Key question...how long has tank been running and what r u using for clean up crew? I'd recommend a bunch of nassarius snails, goby, and maybe a couple sand sifting stars.

Had a sand sifting star and a yellow head goby. They just recently died, I believe due to depleting the life out of the sand bed. I plan on going to go get another goby, but not sure which one. I loved my yellow head , but he spits the sand everywhere. Lol.

 

[uf_gators]

But I have 2 reflect hermits left and 2 Astra snails left.

 

[uf_gators]

So what you all are saying its not in the powerhead stirring up the sandbed is my issue ? And the vortech mp10 isn't the fix. I should go get some more snails and hermit crabs ?

 

[MBG75]

Start running 100 micron filter socks on the drain into your sump. This will catch all floating debris.

You can use a turkey baster and baste the rock to loosen more up.

The vortechs with NTM mode do loosen and suspend debris, but IMO you really need one at each end for that.

I think you'll be surprised how much the socks clarify the water

 

[uf_gators]

Start running 100 micron filter socks on the drain into your sump. This will catch all floating debris.

You can use a turkey baster and baste the rock to loosen more up.

The vortechs with NTM mode do loosen and suspend debris, but IMO you really need one at each end for that.

I think you'll be surprised how much the socks clarify the water

I did have a eshopps filter sock on and yes it did keep the water clean but I caused fluctuation in my sump with the return pump, and I could never get it balanced out. Now it was a 200 micron sock. Wow 2 mp 10's , holy crap. That's 500.00 bucks. Can my t5' be to close ? It's a aquatic life 4 bulb with 2 blue+, 1 coral +, and 1 purple +??? Look at my clowns nesting together. Now isn't that cute? Lol

 

[uf_gators]

Also I forgot to add my tank is exactly 1 year old..... Other than the new sump , that's 3 weeks added. If that makes a diff. I haven't got the fuge going just yet.

 

[ahtatt]

imo I would try more nasarius snails before throwing down 200 bucks on one pump

 

[kgross]

I would get a reactor and some type of GFO/GFH to remove the silicates from the water, which will stop the diatoms from growing.

 

[uf_gators]

Cool . That's what I rather hear. Cause I could take my 200 I have saved for towards a led fixture.