White flag waving?

Wiz · Jul 6, 2016

So glad your comin around :-D. Yeah you should aleast clean them every couple days. As often as possable really. Get all that extra gunk out before it breaks down. Hope it helps. And I know its just threads, but your never alone In reefing with r2r!!!

seastar · Jul 6, 2016

First, awesome news on the socks!

Just sharing a story of frustration: Over the 3 day weekend I had my mom in town and decided I was only going to feed the tank, nothing else. In that time, my filter sock clogged, my ATO 5 gal jug ran empty (and the pump ran dry all weekend), My skimmer filled, my cyano came back, the previously mention issues threw off the perfectly balance water levels and the tank was so loud from gurgling water it sounded like someone was drilling a concrete block in the room where the tank its... To me the amount of time that is required every week while my wife and kids wonder why I'm not given them more attention can be off putting, but I was able to wait till the kids were in bed and my wife was into a show to begin that work. I love looking at the tank all day (I work from home), but I hate the amount of weekly work it requires and how quickly it can all go downhill, but the rewards still far outweigh the work and I will continue to learn and find enjoyment from the tank, as I hope you are able to do as well.

dburkart · Jul 6, 2016

It seems you may well have found the answer to your issue. Keep us informed; it is good you have gotten back to your tank. They are wonderful calming devices when we finally staop and appreciate everything going on in them. Keep at it, it pays off in the end.

dbl · Jul 6, 2016

Very good news on the dirty sock discovery. Sure hope that turns things around for you. You have a beautiful tank and it's certainly worth fighting for. Keep up the good work.

Eienna · Jul 6, 2016

I'm also at a difficult point right now. My skimmer pump broke, and my phosphate and nitrate are too high like yours has been. I was mildly considering going back to freshwater. I'm so close to making my tank really work, though, and I'm stubborn. I also love what's left of my reef. I won't give up either. I read an earlier post you made and realized I haven't been changing my filter socks nearly often enough either.

Thankfully my fiancee has agreed to help me with the water changes, so I'll be able to step up the amount and frequency, as well. Truly, it can be very difficult at times...but I've been rather inspired by you and I believe I can eventually get it right.

corey.nolta · Jul 8, 2016

So I recently upgraded pumps from the standard power head to a wavemaker w/ controller. I thought this upgrade would do wonders in helping me reduce my parameters. More water movement, more suspension time, more opportunities for socks and skimmer to grab all the nasties. Well this is my first afternoon with the RW-8 and I have to say I am very discouraged...again. These new upgraded pumps don't seem to move near the amount of water my two cheapies moved. I even have these new pumps at 100%.
Granted there are tons of features and modes that I am not familiar with, so it could be just a matter of tweaking and playing around. But does anyone have any advice on placement for these two pumps. Or modes. Anything really? If all else fails, I can put one of my old ones back into the tank, but for the money I spent, I'd rather not!
Any advice would be much appreciated!

corey.nolta · Jul 8, 2016

Both of these are located bottom third of the tank. I just feel this isn't enough flow. Maybe I'm wrong?

Alanc425 · Jul 8, 2016

I pack my socks with filter with fiber flos, the socks last me weeks and I replace the floss every few days. Works for me cause it's less work to just replace the floss vs cleaning socks and floss is super cheap compared to new socks. 5 nitrates, 0 p04

Edit: with just an algae scrubber and a skimmer that I hardly run tbh. Don't even think I need it.

Sir Chris · Jul 8, 2016

Depending on ur bio load I use 3 fish 2 clowns and a mandarin. So load is low and no sump 30g and got a 75g starting with dead rock in a tube and all I've only been in this 1.7 yrs and testing water perameters daily isn't needed but I do every 3-4 for cycles. And went through virgin tank syndrom and now I'm so crowded I got the 75g for 75$ so had 2. But weekly sock change is needed and with herbivores more that's y I'm with carnivores as they eat what I give and when done I stop and go 2 corals. So I've cut back feeding a as that starts a chain reaction. Got a small chato bag that spins at surface for mandarins pods till sumped. Don't let it get 2 u. I was depressed for 2 months then realigned tank and have been in love since. I'm a novice tho with corals but I understand that the water is like our food if it's garbage water Theyll have problems just like us.

cmcoker · Jul 8, 2016

Looks like you are using one of the wave settings on the pump, try the random one, "else mode" . Push the pink button until the else led setting lights up. I think if you play with it you will like it. You could also keep one of your cheapie in the tank as well..