My BTA might be dying

[Corey Shelk]

One cup a week? Do you have a hood?
I get about 3/4-1 gallon a day with my 40b (with 40b sump tho). Would be interesting if someone did a poll on evaporation.

I would go with a water parameter issue as the cause/ some sort of instability. Although I would like to see a pic of the nem from a couple weeks ago or when you believe it was doing well, along with a current pic.

What do you have as far as flow?

Yep, I have a good. Flow is the output of a standard HOB filter and a wave maker. I don’t remember the brands, I’ll check them when I get home. I always fill the tank back up to just underneath the top trim, but I have been thinking it might be some instability. I’ll look for some pictures of it

The HOB filter is a Fluval Aquaclear 50 (200 GPH) and the wave maker is a Hydor with flowrare 425 GPH. I guess I should also include the small amount of output from my in tank skimmer. It’s an EHEIM skin350 with a flow rate of 300 liters per hour. So overall flow rate of around 700 GPH in my 20 gallon tank.

 

[Lance M.]

Personally I like a little more flow. When I use to have a 20h, I had two of the hydor 425s? and an aquaclear 110. Not sure what it was rated at or if the one they sell now is even the same thing. It was at least 10 years ago iirc, when the hydors were still new.
Adding wouldn't hurt, but probably not the issue. Although from that second pic, it does need to be cleaned.

If you haven't, I would vinegar soak the hydor and clean the hob, along with the heater. Just be sure with the heater to unplug it while its in the tank. When you put it back in the tank after cleaning, wait ~10-15 min then plug it back in. Since your flow is on the lower side I would regularly clean the powerhead.

Aside from cleaning, I would get the better test kits (I like Red Sea). Maybe not so much Calcium and Mag, but check KH, NO3, PO4. Also get a refractometer if you don't have one. Focus on stability and routine.

Then if you can I recommend upgrading the light. Maybe search the classifieds and find a deal.
On mine, I ran a two bulb T5 Icecap retro with individual reflectors (no longer made) but I didn't have an issue with lps/softies and seemed to be ok at the time for bta. It was hung low. If you could find a good deal with a 4 bulb t5 or do a retrokit, or maybe find a deal on a 150 mh fixture, you should be set.

Another option, or in addition, you could redo your aquascape, add some rocks, and build it higher so that the bta can be closer to the upper half of the tank.

All those things should bring good results for the long term.

 

[Corey Shelk]

Personally I like a little more flow. When I use to have a 20h, I had two of the hydor 425s? and an aquaclear 110. Not sure what it was rated at or if the one they sell now is even the same thing. It was at least 10 years ago iirc, when the hydors were still new.
Adding wouldn't hurt, but probably not the issue. Although from that second pic, it does need to be cleaned.

If you haven't, I would vinegar soak the hydor and clean the hob, along with the heater. Just be sure with the heater to unplug it while its in the tank. When you put it back in the tank after cleaning, wait ~10-15 min then plug it back in. Since your flow is on the lower side I would regularly clean the powerhead.

Aside from cleaning, I would get the better test kits (I like Red Sea). Maybe not so much Calcium and Mag, but check KH, NO3, PO4. Also get a refractometer if you don't have one. Focus on stability and routine.

Then if you can I recommend upgrading the light. Maybe search the classifieds and find a deal.
On mine, I ran a two bulb T5 Icecap retro with individual reflectors (no longer made) but I didn't have an issue with lps/softies and seemed to be ok at the time for bta. It was hung low. If you could find a good deal with a 4 bulb t5 or do a retrokit, or maybe find a deal on a 150 mh fixture, you should be set.

Another option, or in addition, you could redo your aquascape, add some rocks, and build it higher so that the bta can be closer to the upper half of the tank.

All those things should bring good results for the long term.

Thank you! I have noticed I need to clean it, I tried scrubbing with a toothbrush but the results weren’t all that great (as you can tell.) I’ll try the vinegar soak.
I’ll also look into getting a better test kit, I have heard great things about the Red Sea kit that you mentioned. And I’ll look into getting another wave maker, it’ll just take a while to save up the money
With the light I am looking at getting a second light so I’ll keep an eye out for good deals on that too and in the mean time I’ll try and pile up some rocks so I can raise the BTA. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Corey Shelk]

I did a 25% water change yesterday (5 gallons) and when I checked on everything this morning, I noticed the BTA has now started its trek. Looks like it’s going higher for better light, fingers crossed! Here’s a pic