Water clarity options

trsmith18 · Mar 11, 2022

WVNed said:
The answer was in my post
ozone
Just the overhead lights on in the room? Okay.

The only things my water goes through are 2 skimmers. One skims and the other injects ozone.
My other tank just now. Same system on common sump with the other tank. The LEDs have ramped up some.

looks amazing thats all. Congrats on the success and I love the clown tang

Doctorgori · Mar 11, 2022

I’ve used that Marineland polishing filter followed up with 100, 5, 1 micron socks
Endorse dusty carbon = HLLE
I like rechargeable purigen, not 100% convinced of its polishing capability….more confidence with Chemipure

LPS Bum · Mar 11, 2022

Miami Reef said:
It’s actually scientifically proven. There was a study done about tangs not developing HLLE in carbon free water vs getting lesions within 6 weeks.

The cheap dusty carbon was worse.

Using Rox 0.8 and a skimmer made the effects of HLLE not visible to the naked eye, but under the microscope there were lesions.

Yes I’ve read the study. A single study doesn’t equate to “scientifically proven”. That’s why scientists always point to the need for larger sample sizes when collecting data (as in multiple studies, not just one).

If carbon does in fact cause HLLE, then why do so many people who run it continuously not have HLLE in their tangs?

I’m not saying it’s not possible that carbon can cause HLLE, especially if it has a lot of dusty fines, but I think it’s safe to say it’s not “scientifically proven”.

Doctorgori · Mar 11, 2022

LPS Bum said:
Yes I’ve read the study. A single study doesn’t equate to “scientifically proven”. That’s why scientists always point to the need for larger sample sizes when collecting data (as in multiple studies, not just one).

If carbon does in fact cause HLLE, then why do so many people who run it continuously not have HLLE in their tangs?

I’m not saying it’s not possible that carbon can cause HLLE, especially if it has a lot of dusty fines, but I think it’s safe to say it’s not “scientifically proven”.

“scientifically proven” is probably too strong, and maybe just a lack or word inventory…might be more accurate to say the anecdotal samples point strongly to under rinsed carbon being a strong corollary

Miami Reef · Mar 11, 2022

LPS Bum said:
Yes I’ve read the study. A single study doesn’t equate to “scientifically proven”. That’s why scientists always point to the need for larger sample sizes when collecting data (as in multiple studies, not just one).

If carbon does in fact cause HLLE, then why do so many people who run it continuously not have HLLE in their tangs?

I’m not saying it’s not possible that carbon can cause HLLE, especially if it has a lot of dusty fines, but I think it’s safe to say it’s not “scientifically proven”.

I accept that it’s not scientifically proven, but I do believe there is evidence that geared towards carbon causing HLLE.

As I mentioned above, skimming and using high quality carbon can make the HLLE on a fish asymptomatic to the naked eye, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t microscopic lesions.

Reefvision · Mar 11, 2022

Regarding HLLE ,I think I recall something that also was written that stated dietary deficiency a part of the problem. I believe the best way to go FOR Me anyway was to always include spirulina in feeding rotation along with algea sheets .(Ihave6 tangs in 210 for 4yr now ) all large piggies lol.

Reefvision · Mar 11, 2022

Sean Clark · Mar 11, 2022

M16JXM said:
I second ozone as an alternative but still doesn't beat carbon in my opinion and probably best to run both haha.

I appreciate your perspective. I must agree to disagree though. Carbon and Ozone work in fundamentally different ways. Carbon captures molecules and Ozone brakes them down. Carbon will loose efficiency where Ozone does not. Carbon requires a consumable product to maintain where corona discharge Ozone does not. Carbon is limited by its composition and its porosity where Ozone is not. If you want constant clear water with zero maintenance, Carbon is no match to the benefits that Ozone provides.
I do run both as you suggested plus UV.

WVNed · Mar 11, 2022

I ran 80watts of UV for more than a year. Then I took it down. It didn't make a difference in how my tank looked. I do feel I have a great deal more micro fauna now after several months.

FishOkay · Mar 11, 2022

Sean Clark said:
I appreciate your perspective. I must agree to disagree though. Carbon and Ozone work in fundamentally different ways. Carbon captures molecules and Ozone brakes them down. Carbon will loose efficiency where Ozone does not. Carbon requires a consumable product to maintain where corona discharge Ozone does not. Carbon is limited by its composition and its porosity where Ozone is not. If you want constant clear water with zero maintenance, Carbon is no match to the benefits that Ozone provides.
I do run both as you suggested plus UV.

That's alright each to their own opinion. I also run both, Ozone I run 24/7 and it could be that I have gotten used to the clarity but I can't help but really notice the difference when it comes to replacing the carbon in my reactor each week. The day after I'm like wow that's clear lol.

Calvin · Mar 11, 2022

Wow! I appreciate all of the feedback! I'm not opposed to running ozone, it's just that I honestly only started learning about it days ago. And unfortunately being someone with significant ADHD (if I'm not medicated I really struggle) I picked up on the uv sterilizer. I have been hyper focusing on it for weeks now, and research it for hours a day.

But with that being said, can ozone and uv be run in unison or is that a no-no?

It's still to this day amazes me, after 12 years in the hobby, that you could literally set up 2 tank exactly the same side by side.. And both would act completely different. Absolutely blows my mind!

Sean Clark · Mar 11, 2022

You can run uv and Ozone side by side without issue. They will not interfere with each other. I run them for different reasons. Ozone for water clarity and uv for parasitic organism control.

Pistondog · Mar 11, 2022

I run ozone 90 minutes a day and rox 24/7. As others have said, I think they complement; ozone breaks down larger yellowing organics into sizes the gac can handle.

Calvin · Mar 11, 2022

Sean Clark said:
You can run uv and Ozone side by side without issue. They will not interfere with each other. I run them for different reasons. Ozone for water clarity and uv for parasitic organism control.

Sweet! This might be the route I go then honestly. Because in reality that's the exact reason I want to add a uv sterilizer just as something to drastically slow down parasitic organisms in the event something were to ever happen and my fish get super stressed and immune systems tank.

Calvin · Mar 11, 2022

Pistondog said:
I run ozone 90 minutes a day and rox 24/7. As others have said, I think they complement; ozone breaks down larger yellowing organics into sizes the gac can handle.

For me I honestly don't get the yellowing of the water fast so like I said earlier if need be I'm not opposed to running my rox for a few days to get it looking good again if it yellows, but I feel that personally running it 24/7 isn't something I want to do. And also like I said before every tank is different from another. And if running rox 24/7 works for you then honestly I'm jealous. Lol. But I just don't think it's the right fit for my tank unfortunately.

WVNed · Mar 11, 2022

I ran both but I don't have to clean two 3 foot thin glass tubes periodically anymore. The AquaUV unit is here if I need to put it back in for some reason clean and ready to go.

Calvin · Mar 11, 2022

WVNed said:
I ran both but I don't have to clean two 3 foot thin glass tubes periodically anymore. The AquaUV unit is here if I need to put it back in for some reason clean and ready to go.

How often was the cleaning on the tubes? And BTW your tank is amazingly clear. Maybe one day. Or maybe not for me. Lol I stock my tanks heavy with fish. I like the movement of them.