Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[Katrina71]

What are your most recent nitrates and phos readings, got a pic of the tank to show the flow please?

It's actually Andrew's tank. Nitrates went from 15 to 7 to 40. Each 2 weeks apart. I can't remember phos numbers. They are in his notebook, but they were way out of balance. Phos numbers were low.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm going to mess with his flow today.

 

[Brew12]

It's actually Andrew's tank. Nitrates went from 15 to 7 to 40. Each 2 weeks apart. I can't remember phos numbers. They are in his notebook, but they were way out of balance.

Does he have macroalgae in his tank?

 

[Katrina71]

Does he have macroalgae in his tank?

No. Haven't been able to get any here. Mine has aiptasia.

 

[Katrina71]

Been on a wait list for 2 months.

 

[Katrina71]

He has been using different foods. Including reef roids and pellets. Trying to understand the impact of things. His flow issue is #1 it's a cube, #2 he has a large rock structure.

 

[Katrina71]

Struggling with his tank a bit.

 

[Katrina71]

He is also at the 9-10 month mark. My tank went through cyano at exactly the same point. Coincidence?

 

[Katrina71]

I understand cyano is just part of it. Scrub. Water change. Wait. Not going to NoPox.

 

[Katrina71]

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

 

[Katrina71]

@Brew12 I wanted to check for sure, but I was right no3 15,7,20- po4 0 every time. I think I put 40 before. Typo

 

[Katrina71]

I'm trying to get to the spot where his numbers run pretty consistent.

 

[Brew12]

@Brew12 I wanted to check for sure, but I was right no3 15,7,20- po4 0 every time. I think I put 40 before. Typo

Still, those are good numbers.

I never scrub for cyano. I use a small powerhead and blow it off. Much less work and more effective imo. I have a small acrylic rod left over from aquascaping I use to stir gravel in its location.

I'd send you guys some of my rock/algae but I have aptasia and vermitids. I doubt you want either of those in his tank. Does he have much in the way of copepods and amphipods?

 

[Katrina71]

Still, those are good numbers.

I never scrub for cyano. I use a small powerhead and blow it off. Much less work and more effective imo. I have a small acrylic rod left over from aquascaping I use to stir gravel in its location.

I'd send you guys some of my rock/algae but I have aptasia and vermitids. I doubt you want either of those in his tank. Does he have much in the way of copepods and amphipods?

Yes actually he does.

 

[Katrina71]

Mind if I borrow your powerhead idea?

 

[Brew12]

Mind if I borrow your powerhead idea?

Imitation is the best form of flattery!
I use a cobalt MJ1200 and it works very well. I think you saw my cyano came back while I was working crazy hours. Tank is back to cyano free after just a little maintenance.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm going to drop an Ice cap 1K in his mounted vertical on the back wall. Ya think 40% random to start?

 

[Brew12]

I'm going to drop an Ice cap 1K in his mounted vertical on the back wall. Ya think 40% random to start?

It's easier to start too slow and ramp up than it is to get sand and water back in the tank.

I would start with it in laminar flow at 20% and ramp it up gradually to where you think it has the most flow you would want. Then use that number as your max with the random setting.

 

[Katrina71]

Btw, your mention of macro is on par with what I was thinking too.

 

[Katrina71]