Chemiclean without a skimmer?

[noyowo]

I’ve been battling a brutal cyano outbreak for >2 months now and I finally gave in last night and got some chemiclean. I’ve heard great reviews of it but as I’m perpetually nervous about introducing chemicals into the tank, I wanted to see if anyone had any advise on how to go about it in an AIO. I don’t currently have a protein skimmer (honestly on a tight budget so it isn’t accessible for a while) and all the advice i’ve read and the instructions pretty specifically mention one. Is it still useable if I can find a powerful airstone? It’s a 29g for what it’s worth, pretty low stocked with just two clowns, a goby, and a handful of snails atm

 

[HuduVudu]

I’ve been battling a brutal cyano outbreak for >2 months now and I finally gave in last night and got some chemiclean. I’ve heard great reviews of it but as I’m perpetually nervous about introducing chemicals into the tank, I wanted to see if anyone had any advise on how to go about it in an AIO. I don’t currently have a protein skimmer (honestly on a tight budget so it isn’t accessible for a while) and all the advice i’ve read and the instructions pretty specifically mention one. Is it still useable if I can find a powerful airstone? It’s a 29g for what it’s worth, pretty low stocked with just two clowns, a goby, and a handful of snails atm

All you will do is free up a bunch of nutrients. This will spike the nutrients and create fuel for the next outbreak. Even with a skimmer you run this risk. Not a very good solution, nor will it be very long term.

LUL I am watching this from ReefAPoolaza ... Might really be helpful for what you are doing. I am really impressed with how deep Ryan went with this.

 

[taricha]

I don’t currently have a protein skimmer (honestly on a tight budget so it isn’t accessible for a while) and all the advice i’ve read and the instructions pretty specifically mention one. Is it still useable if I can find a powerful airstone? It’s a 29g for what it’s worth, pretty low stocked with just two clowns, a goby, and a handful of snails atm

chemiclean really depletes O2. You might be able to overcome that issue in a small tank with a good airstone and circulation, but that's the risk.

 

[McPuff]

Chemiclean works really well in my experience but you may want to try the sunnyx coral snow method instead. You can see it here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/e...no-eradication-made-easy.916381/post-10321324

 

[JumboShrimp]

Whether you have 1 or 2 return nozzles in your AIO, point it/them to vigorously break the water’s surface. Then use one or even two good air stones (not old clogged ones, or with underpowered pumps), and for good measure add another wave maker also pointed to the surface. If you do all of that in a 29-gallon, even without a skimmer you should be able to avoid suffocating your fish if you dose Chemiclean per the directions. Best wishes!

 

[Andresnyc93]

Just feed your tank with pods and phytoplankton. Throwing chemicals at a system that’s low in O2 could be dangerous for your residents and also would have to add some sort of aeration to the tank.

 

[areefer01]

chemiclean really depletes O2. You might be able to overcome that issue in a small tank with a good airstone and circulation, but that's the risk.

I agree. Personally speaking at that size of a display without a skimmer or a way to reliably increasing aeration I wouldn't use the product. In fact since it is of small size correcting the problem manually by siphon and water changes would be safer.

Directions:

1. Aquarium oxygen levels must be increased using heavy aeration or a large air stone.
2. Turn off any UV sterilizers and ozonizers and remove any Chemi-pure or carbon during treatment.
3. Continue using a protein skimmer, although skimmer may require adjustment or removal of collection cup to prevent excessive overflow.
4. Maintain normal water flow using pumps and powerheads.