how much is too much filtration

[notchsleeper80]

Ok, very new and have had my 55 set up for 3 months now and all is well so far. I run a penguin 350 biowheel with two sponge carbon filters, a topfin 60 unit with round tube stones in it, and another marineland canister filter with an extended discharge for low level current. 2-3 inches of sand, and 10 gallons of live rock. I have a clown gobie, 3 chromis, 1 anthias, a peppermint shrimp, a tiger pistol, a sand sifting star fish, 10 hermits, a couple turgid and an emerald crab. I do have some recent concerns since I added a few corals. A red mushroom, green mushroom, and a 2.5" Kenya tree. I was told by lfs to add liquid plankton and at since then I have a hair algae problem. I'm hearing mixed review on biowheels bit I have plenty of filters running. Is this too much for this type of setup, and will plankton create an algae problem. Thanks again

 

[mike007]

Cannister, biowheels, fiter pads will cause you problems in the long run. For a reef you need a protein skimmer, live rock and good circulation and mother nature will take care of the rest. As far as algae is concerned it is caused by excess nutrients or phosphates. Have you tested water? Most nutrient problems are caused by overfeeding wheter thats fish food or coral foods.

 

[ritter6788]

Cannister, biowheels, fiter pads will cause you problems in the long run. For a reef you need a protein skimmer, live rock and good circulation and mother nature will take care of the rest. As far as algae is concerned it is caused by excess nutrients or phosphates. Have you tested water? Most nutrient problems are caused by overfeeding wheter thats fish food or coral foods.

+1. Skimmers work wonders in salt water. If you aren't skimming you are collecting waste. I don't recommend liquid plankton either (whatever that may be).

 

[notchsleeper80]

All tests are perfect, I have stopped the liquid plankton regement. They sold me a white bottle with liquid that was greenish in color and said it was plankton for corals. I think it's the root of my algae. Just wanted second opinions on that.

 

[ritter6788]

Sounds like they sold you a bottle of phytoplankton. Not necessary and can really fuel other algae problems. Especially if you aren't skimming heavily to remove it after feeding.

 

[DaveMorris]

All tests are perfect,

Can you be more specific? What are you testing for and what are your results?

 

[notchsleeper80]

Ph 8.2
Nitrate 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Ammonia 0ppm
Salinity 1.024