Quarantined in Italy, need advice

[Jeepjockey]

Hello all. Everything has been closed here for weeks and it looks like for weeks longer. I have food but running low on salt. On top of that, I have a new tank and I’m starting to see a bit of algea forming on the rocks which makes doing larger water changes harder with lowering salt. I had to order some online From amazon.it but its not the same brand. I have enough original salt for maybe two more 10%’s. the salt i ordered looks to be similar in the major elements so with 10% changes, would a 80/20, then 50/50...and so on be ok since they seem to be the same in the elements? I’m trying to figure out the best way to do it slowly but i fear i will run out of original salt before i have a chance to ease it in.

Looking for good solution for that and anything else to help get nutrients out. I was thinking of vacuuming sand and water through a stage of filter sponges and then ran back into the tank....similar to what a canister filter will do. I’m thinking that might help continue to remove all the crap out of the tank.

I appreciate any tips you all might have remembering that I’ll have zero acsses to LFS or american amazon to help with supplies.

T

 

[Dom]

First, my prayers are with you and everyone in your country, not to mention the world.

Do you operate a refugium? That is an great way to remove nutrients.

The entire situation is unlike anything most of us has ever had to deal with before. My advice is work with whatever you can get your hands on. Post a lot to keep the rest of us informed so that we all may learn something from your experience.

Good luck and God Bless.

 

[plumkrasea]

Sorry to hear Buddy,
If I where you at this point. I would go into a almost no food mode for live stock, reduce lighting, vacuum gravel through a sock filter to save water and use something like vodka dose or NO3PO4X to reduce PHOS& NITRATES. Only add RODI top off (good source) Don't worry about water changes a this point your main goal is to reduce nutrients that is feed the algae (red,green,ect). Your system will come into balance. I hope this helps . Dave

 

[burnetb1]

I hope you can remain safe in this crazy world right now. I think your plan will work well. I changed salts before in a similar fashion and didn't have noticeable problems. Filtering out the debris with a makeshift filter will help as well. Anything to get the gunk out until the world opens up again.
I wish you the best of luck. Stay safe.

 

[fishface NJ]

How old is the tank? Are there fish or/and corals in the tank? You can vacuum out the fish poop without removing the water. Take your hose and create a siphon. The other end goes to a filter sock that is in your sump. If you don't have a sump then filter it into a bucket

 

[Katrina71]

I certainly wouldn't worry too much about algae. Lots of ways to combat that. You can only do the best you can. Your pod population and cuc may appreciate some greens anyway

 

[homer1475]

Salt is salt. Use what you can, just test a new batch and have it match your current parameters.

We all have to use what we can in this time of need.

 

[Jeepjockey]

Thanks all for the quick reply’s. to answer a few questions, yes i have a refugium and 2 fish, 3 crabs. Fish have been in about a month...maybe lil less. Crabs about 2-3 weeks. I know the algae thing is a normal process but was curious if some had home techniques that seemed to work. They are clamping down more and more on things being open here and i fear that delivery will soon be down too. Hope not but we’ll see. Thanks again for the tips and well wishes.

 

[Katrina71]

Do you have any snails?

 

[Jeepjockey]

Do you have any snails?

No. Stores closed before I can get any.

 

[Slawman]

My thoughts are with your country and people, I hope your fight with this virus is getting on top of it.

Slow down the water changes and reduce nutrient input (food) and any additives. Do you have a skimmer?

 

[Jeepjockey]

My thoughts are with your country and people, I hope your fight with this virus is getting on top of it.

Slow down the water changes and reduce nutrient input (food) and any additives. Do you have a skimmer?

Yes I do. It is a major pain. i have to turn it off to feed or it goes bonkers and then spend about 30 minutes trying to dial it in each night. Some nights it does great, others it wet skims and is basically worthless. when i turn it on and have it turned all the way down, it will still surge and fill the cup 1/3-1/5 full before it settles meaning i have to empty it too often. It sucks but its all i have for now.