Getting up OR Getting out!!!

handysport · Feb 4, 2012

I have been running my tank for a few years now and it has never been quite right!! I would really like for someone that knows the right way that a reef tank is supposed to be setup to come check out my tank and tell me what I need to do to get this thing running the right way!!! What I need to add or what the heck I am doing wrong!! I am fixing to just give up and give everything away (to who ever comes over) or fix it the way it needs to be!! If anyone is interested I live in Decatur. I work second shift so it would probably be best if someone could come over on a weekend!! It is 120 gal tank and I have alot of the grass looking stuff (it must be hard to kill, haha) and some leathers and other stuff that I dont know the names of. A large mushroom rock and brain coral, but cant seem to get the pretty stuff to live. Have a fixture that has 3 250 watt metal halid lights that I dont see the use to keep using if I cant get this thing right. If anyone is interested in helping me out, give me a call 256-616-1580 leave a msg if I dont answer and I will call you back!!

thanks,
Farrell

Tomoko Schum · Feb 5, 2012

I hope someone has gotten in touch with you.

If you'd like to get some help, how about coming out to the NARC meeting on 11th. It will be Saturday afternoon. You can bring some water sample so we can test it.

The grass looking stuff can be eradicated by adding some snails and rabbitfish. Is your 120 the standard 48 x 24 x 24 tank? If so, 3 x 250W metal halide would be too much light. That could be one of the reason why the green grassy stuff is growing well. Another reason may be the bioload and the water quality.

We need to know your water parameters such as nitrate, phosphate levels, pH, kH/alkalinity, and salinity. Are you doing water changes periodically? How many fish do you have?

I don't think it is difficult to whip things into shape with a small amount of change. You don't need much to get rid of the algae and change the appearance of a tank as long as you are not constantly losing fish or corals.