Algae

Hi, Im going to dis agree a bit on the filtration. Yes you can and maybe should yes, but looking at that algae Im guessing bad water (is it really that green?), and poor maintenence(it happens to us all life happens). I ran my first several tanks for several years on That style of HOB filter and was highly disappointed by my first in tank skimmer and hOB skimmer and they caused me immediate probs(tunze 9001 and Remora fwiw) as the overrated aqua clear took out much more detrius. You have to clean the detritus out of the filter regularly, same with using a canister. (see the latest canister filter thread for the science I can link it if you want.)

One of the reasons to use rodi is tap water even with conditioners tap water can contain elements that directly feed the algae AND chemicals that kill bacteria in your plumbing. This also kills the bacteria in your tank(the cycle). with a weak bacterial cycle there is more food for algae, and usually higher nitrite levels and no Nitrate and phosphate as the bad alge is actually eating it.(ie algae probs w normal parameters). In the tanks I have seen using poor water, you see very odd algae growth, no or little corraline growth and weird parameters.
 
Use caution when cleaning the filters esp now as you have a comprimised system, theres a lot of bacteria in there you want, (esp id the sand and rock is half dead). Add the GFO sparingly as you dont want over strip the water of the Po too fast.

So short answer. I think you have a broken cycle and need to re-establish a healthy biofilter.
 
Well when I do water changes I get lots of the algae off of the glass and some rock. I want to take out all the rocks and scrub them all good and then rearrange everything. Is this a good idea?
 
Use caution when cleaning the filters esp now as you have a comprimised system, theres a lot of bacteria in there you want, (esp id the sand and rock is half dead). Add the GFO sparingly as you dont want over strip the water of the Po too fast.

So short answer. I think you have a broken cycle and need to re-establish a healthy biofilter.

Thank you for jumping in here, Salty!
 
Well when I do water changes I get lots of the algae off of the glass and some rock. I want to take out all the rocks and scrub them all good and then rearrange everything. Is this a good idea?
yea thats fine its a little bit of instant gratification and you deserve that too. .But go slow. Stirring up the sand can stir up the poop and food that is not being processed by the (cycle) good bacteria.
But fix the water source IMO.
BTW a "conditioner" is a bacterial additive generally, you may want to look into a slightly stronger one to boost the natural filter. Depending where you are and you LFS or if you an internet guy, look into the DR T Products. The instant ocean Bio spira additive seems good as it has a large variety of bacteria. I use prime and stability. I have only read proof that Dr Tims is a bit more potent.
 
Thanks for the info and I also use Prime. I also added a clean up crew today and they went straight to work lol. Do you think they might help a bit or not at all?
 
Thanks for the info and I also use Prime. I also added a clean up crew today and they went straight to work lol. Do you think they might help a bit or not at all?
oh yea, esp if thier hungry!

Do you have a local fish store near you? Or a place that makes ice dry ice and stuff? I found some places here that sell good filtered water pretty cheap that way. Some LFS are cool on the $$ some you might as well be buying Evian$$$:eek:$$$

Once you get stable with only a few fish and not over feeding you should only need like 10 gal a month.
 
I have a local fish store that is located about 30 minutes from me.
 

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