Tank Break in/Alge Problems

[Big_Pun]

no need for 2 skimmers, there is nothing you can do to make the cycle go faster system will adjust itself, go buy some chemipure elite, Gabes usually has some in stock

[Kristy]

Hi Luke,
That is really not a lot of live rock. The live rock provides biological filtration for your tank and is important because it reduces nitrates naturally. Having more will very much improve your water conditions. Individual tastes vary a bit, but most recommend around a pound per gallon. I like having a more spaceous look to my rockwork with lots of openings, so I load up on live rock in the sump or fuge to maintain that benefit.

Also, you have to be careful to add live rock that is fully cycled or you will just reintroduce new tank ammonia cycling. You could use the old tank that you are trying to shut down to cycle any new live rock that you aquire (especially if you get it from a LFS) and gradually add it to the display tank after the levels test where they should be: 0 ammonia and 0 nitirite. (Most live rock will have some die off unless you have bought it directly from another reefer's tank, which is incidentally, often the cheapest / safest / most beneficial way to buy it also).

One last thought: any chance that the particles in your water could be microbubbles? It is very common when you set up new plumbing, new sump, or new skimmer to get microbubbles. Then you have to tweak things until you figure out how to reduce them. Our skimmer (also an Octopus) gives us microbubbles like crazy until it is fully "broken in," meaning until it has established a thin layer of skimmate coating the surfaces. We have to be careful not to clean it too thoroughly or we will re-introduce the microbubbles for 2 - 3 days until it breaks in again.

[lrg]

GM Kristy;

I checked the water to see if it was micro bubbles as I used to have that problem when the skimmer was settling in - its actual small particles of sand it looks like. - The sand bed is the usual live sand aragonite type size.

Interesting point re not cleaning too thoroughly- does this include the collection cup and neck?

Because of the original micro bubbles with the skimmer I made a bubble trap to stop them.

I do have live rock in the return area of the sump I'm wondering if this rock is breaking down resulting in the particles getting back to the tank?

- I didn't add my sump rock into the equation - it is the same rock that was once live but dried out - its been in there coming up 4 weeks now. Probably about another 15-20 lbs.

I do need to find some 'less expensive' rock - $7.99 a lb is too much for me!

[Jordan N.]

Try phenomenal aquatics off of eckhert and bandera. I was there earlier today and they had rock for about 2.99 a pound. I don't really recommend their fish --but the rock is cheap.

-Jordan N.

[Big_Pun]

Try phenomenal aquatics off of eckhert and bandera. I was there earlier today and they had rock for about 2.99 a pound. I don't really recommend their fish --but the rock is cheap.

-Jordan N.

don't bash stores, not cool, we r suppose to support or LFS, I have a couple fish I bought a couple weeks ago good prices and they are healthy and doing great

[Europhyllia]

I have shrimp, snails and a coco worm from there and they are doing well too.

[Jordan N.]

don't bash stores, not cool, we r suppose to support or LFS, I have a couple fish I bought a couple weeks ago good prices and they are healthy and doing great

I guess, I'm just giving out my honest opinion --the two times I've been there the fish looked just ok. It's not like I'm slamming the place --they have the best selection of rocks and inverts in town. I've recommended the place to two different people on here. Glad to hear your fish are doing well. *shug*

-Jordan N.

[Salty]

Ed does have an epic rock selection. His setup might not be as elaborate(expensive) as others for display, but the fish are definately healthy. Anthias and fire shrimp were out and about in no time.