Does this chaetomorpha/refugium look ok?

[Matthew Morrison]

i was just wondering if my chaetomorpha looks healthy/ok? Should I throw it out and clean up the refugium section and start fresh?

Is the stuff on the rock in the next picture coralline algae?

Does my return pump section look ok? Should I clean it up?

Thanks for your help.

 

[CC13]

i was just wondering if my chaetomorpha looks healthy/ok? Should I throw it out and clean up the refugium section and start fresh?

Is the stuff on the rock in the next picture coralline algae?

Picture #1 - Chaeto looks to be pretty green, which means its not dead (a good thing). The middle of it appears to be somewhat sludgy. It could be that the chaeto is so dense the middle isn't getting any water circulation. You don't need a massive amount of chaeto, and it should be used as a nutrient export. Cut that massive chaeto down to 1/4'th the size (toss the other stuff out, or sell it), and repeat this process as it gets large like it is now.

Picture #2 - Definitely not Coraline. That's cyano. Nothing to worry about, but get at removing it now. Increase your water flow, perform a series of water changes (10-15%) over the next several days, and possibly cut back on feeding amount.

When I get ANY unwanted algae, I can almost always attribute it to my RO/DI sediment, carbon or DI resin needing to be changed out. Check the conditions of those are well. I change sediment and carbon blocks monthly, DI resin 4-6 months depending on use and RO membranes every year because I maintain them and flush them after each use.

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

 

[Captain Quint]

+1 with CC13

I don't have to change my sediment and carbon blocks that often but more so on the DI resign.

You could use a turkey baster and blow the cyano off until flow and whatever else needs correction.

 

[Matthew Morrison]

Ok I’ll Black my mp40

 

[Matthew Morrison]

Blast*

 

[CC13]

You could use a turkey baster and blow the cyano off until flow and whatever else needs correction.

I agree, and I would do this also.

Make sure you try and scoop up whatever you can blow off the rock and get it out of your tank.

Also, getting rid of cyano naturally with a good water change and maintenance schedule alone takes 3-4 weeks. If you want to 'cheat' you can use Chemiclean. It is reef safe. Note however, if you don't fix the root of the problem it will come back, and this is only a temporary remedies. You can choose which course of action you would like to implement. If you use Chemiclean make sure you TURN OFF your skimmer because it will start to go nuts. When it calms back down, you can turn it back on.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/boyds-chemiclean-6-gram-size-red-box-767148.html

 

[CC13]

Ok I’ll Black my mp40

Are you able to post a picture of your entire tank so we can see pump placements?

 

[Matthew Morrison]

125 gallon 1 mp40 at left end of tank . 2 returns too left and right corner of back

 

[Captain Quint]

I agree, and I would do this also.

Make sure you try and scoop up whatever you can blow off the rock and get it out of your tank.

Also, getting rid of cyano naturally with a good water change and maintenance schedule alone takes 3-4 weeks. If you want to 'cheat' you can use Chemiclean. It is reef safe. Note however, if you don't fix the root of the problem it will come back, and this is only a temporary remedies. You can choose which course of action you would like to implement. If you use Chemiclean make sure you TURN OFF your skimmer because it will start to go nuts. When it calms back down, you can turn it back on.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/boyds-chemiclean-6-gram-size-red-box-767148.html

+1 with you on all written.

I catch mine with filter floss. My Trigger sump has sock area which can be removed and a tray placed in it to catch crud when floss sets atop it.

 

[Matthew Morrison]

I moved my mp40 closer to the front and top of the tank

 

[CC13]

I moved my mp40 closer to the front and top of the tank

1 MP40 just might not be enough for that tank. You might need at least 2 (1 on both sides), as moving the one unit higher just may create low flow areas near the bottom and on the sand. If anything, you want higher flow on the bottom to keep detritus, food and waste from settling on the sand bed before its had a chance to be eaten, or get skimmed out of your tank.

See what happens with the new placement, you may need to add a few more pumps.

 

[Matthew Morrison]

Ya I wasn’t sure where the best place for the one is until I get another

 

[CC13]

Ya I wasn’t sure where the best place for the one is until I get another

I would keep it at the bottom then.

Far easier to clean the tops of rocks than having to clean sand.

Just my .02 cents