Running the tank too clean

[enviroman]

I often see this statement made in the forums in response to various issues such as the lack of corraline algae, etc.

Exactly what does this mean? How is a tank running too clean? Does it mean the nitrates or other constituents that you need are pulled other with by water changes or dosing or through exchange?

 

[Cory]

I often see this statement made in the forums in response to various issues such as the lack of corraline algae, etc.

Exactly what does this mean? How is a tank running too clean? Does it mean the nitrates or other constituents that you need are pulled other with by water changes or dosing or through exchange?

If the goal is corraline algae, t5 lights or any suitable light, low low phosphates and parameters within acceptable rabge will allow it to grow.

 

[recess62]

I think what is meant is that if tank is to clean it becomes nutrient starved. As a result the zooxanthellae which is a dinoflagellate can not thrive. If zooxanthellae can not thrive your corals will not thrive

 

[enviroman]

But how do you control that.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Maintain this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Water changes of 20% per month, weekly or biweekly to total the monthly amount. Good quality salt mix. RO/DI water.

Good light fixture.

Good flow in the tank that oxygenates the water.

Keep No3 around 5ppm and PO4 at trace.

Feed your fish quality foods and don't over feed.

Seed rock or inverts (snails) with coraline algae on them and coraline will, in time, grow on everything.

Some hobbyist feel that good coraline algae growth is a sign of a balanced system, water parameters that are optimal. This includes trace elements.

 

[Flippers4pups]

If the goal is corraline algae, t5 lights or any suitable light, low low phosphates and parameters within acceptable rabge will allow it to grow.

LED's as well. My coraline has exploded since switching to LED's.

 

[enviroman]

I appreciate the info about growing coraline... But my question was more about the meaning of running a tank too clean... What does that mean and what do you to to make to too clean and what should you do to NOT be too clean.

 

[Robink]

Maintain this: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/

Water changes of 20% per month, weekly or biweekly to total the monthly amount. Good quality salt mix. RO/DI water.

Good light fixture.

Good flow in the tank that oxygenates the water.

Keep No3 around 5ppm and PO4 at trace.

Feed your fish quality foods and don't over feed.

Seed rock or inverts (snails) with coraline algae on them and coraline will, in time, grow on everything.

Some hobbyist feel that good coraline algae growth is a sign of a balanced system, water parameters that are optimal. This includes trace elements.

this...

 

[Theo15]

I appreciate the info about growing coraline... But my question was more about the meaning of running a tank too clean... What does that mean and what do you to to make to too clean and what should you do to NOT be too clean.

I was wondering the same thing , I started to vacum out my sand bed and feed my corals less and within a month I lost plenty of corals and there was bleaching on almost every coral , I'm thinking I was being too through with my cleaning because I changed nothing before this, i shut my skimmer off and started to feed more, hopefully things will bounce back...

 

[Flippers4pups]

ULNS's (ultra low nutrient systems) require dosing of elements and amino acids to maintain coral health, even with water changes. This is dependent of water volume and corals kept. With this approach, one can keep higher alkalinity, which boosts coral growth. These systems can be and are at times difficult to maintain. NO3 and PO4 in these systems are kept at zero.

The rest of us with a lot of corals need to feed our corals directly and with higher nutrients if the form of NO3 at 5ppm (no higher if possible) and trace PO4. I also dose AA's and elements in my system.

NO3 needs to be higher than PO4 for this to work. Higher PO4 than NO3 will fuel unwanted algae growth.

Hope this helps

 

[enviroman]

Thank you all

 

[Cory]

LED's as well. My coraline has exploded since switching to LED's.

What kind of led?

 

[Flippers4pups]

What kind of led?

3 Mars aqua 165w units.