No filter, no skimmer...water changes w/RODI the only way?

[Anonymous]

Waiting for funds to arrive so I can purchase my new Turboflotor, and currently I'm running no skimmer and no filter with no water changes. I've got some cyano, but it's mostly on certain parts of the sand. I know phosphates are up there. What's the best way to proceed from here? Would top off/water changes with RO/DI pretty much kill the cyano even when keeping the feedings constant (2 cubes of mysis every day for the whole tank)?

I'm living on the edge for as long as possible, but will listen to everything said here. Here are some other parameters : ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate <30, pH 8.2, temp 77, SG 1.024.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I run skimmerless and filterless all the time. What kind of circulation do you have?

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

I run skimmerless and filterless all the time. What kind of circulation do you have?

Regards,
David Mohr

Return pump is a Mag18, 1800gph, which comes out of a regular Locline on the left straight across the back of the tank, and a Y-split Locline on the right with each split having 3" fan ends and blowing from the back right corner toward the front left corner. Then I have a Maxijet 300gph on the right side glass pointed behind the reef (it's open all the way around) and one on the back glass on the left pointed left so the current wraps around the front of the reef on the left.

Follow all that?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Chip

It sounds like you need more flow. You are only getting 1000-1200 gph from the mag18 once losses are figured in. The 2 MJ add 600 gph so you are barly at 10x turnover. IMO you need to get the circulation up to at least 20x.

 

[Anonymous]

If you have thriving plant life you will find filterless,skimmerless, no water changes can substain a tank indefinately.

I recommend a refugium with plant life to insure the plant life is protected and thriving.

Cyano will be there with our without ro/di. Phosphates come from the bioload (food) as well as the input water.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, that's not a problem. It's an all-stony reef, with about 75% LPS and 25% SPS right now. The reef has space all around, front and back, with one rock obstructing some of the back of the reef. I'll grab two more Maxijets today at the shop, then two more in about a week.

Thanks for the help, y'all.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

If you have thriving plant life you will find filterless,skimmerless, no water changes can substain a tank indefinately.
.

Actually, this reminds me...I need to get some halimeda growing in back of the reef. My tangs don't really eat it down...it can always outpace them. Right now I have no macros, but will grab some by the weekend.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Mouse]

Post Pic

 

[Anonymous]

The other powerhead is on the left behind the reef...you can see the cord feeding down next to that green montipora digitata on the top left.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!

I think some halimeda will help reduce that very small amount of cyano on the sand and the green on the back glass.

But even with that absolutely awesome.


Bob

 

[Anonymous]

awesome!!!!!!!!!!
I think some halimeda will help reduce that very small amount of cyano on the sand and the green on the back glass.
But even with that absolutely awesome.
Bob

Thanks, Bob! I can get about 10 different algaes on any given week, so I'll just populate the back with anything the tangs can't keep up with. I think we have halimeda, red feather, red branching, and green sea grass in the shop, so I'll start with those.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

Be careful Chip. Some of the species not favored by your tangs are very invasive. Don't put grape caulerpa in there for instance.
You should do water changes though, and once again I must disagree with Bob's assertion that a tank can exist without them "indefinitely" But hey, you know what you're doing. :wink:
Very nice tank my friend.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with Jim. Water changes should be done. Their are many chemical that the plants will not use that will build up over time.

 

[Anonymous]

Be careful Chip. Some of the species not favored by your tangs are very invasive. Don't put grape caulerpa in there for instance.
You should do water changes though, and once again I must disagree with Bob's assertion that a tank can exist without them "indefinitely" But hey, you know what you're doing. :wink:
Very nice tank my friend.

Jim

Yeah, I had grape caulerpa take over my 75 gallon about 4 years ago, so I know that one's a pain...cup caulerpa, as well.

I was going to go with halimeda, red feather, and the red branching. That should be enough...the halimeda is a fast grower, but easily harvested.

Wazz...how much each month? I'm thinking 5-10% should be sufficient?

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I did 5% every other week on my 110. When things were bad I did 5% every week. If you keep the load on it small 5-10% should be ok. Beware the halimeda it such up a lot of calcium and when it crashes it crashes bad. Mine was stable foe a long time then one day my lights came on and the tank was black. The halimedia went sexual and flooded tha tank with spoores. I did not loose any thing, but it was hit or miss for a while.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm not Wazzel, but I'd say in the 20% range, especially considering you're not running a skimimer. I change out 30 gallons on my 150 each month (in theory, some months I flake). I have a pretty good fish load though. Maybe I overdo it.


Jim

 

[Unarce]

Same as davidmohr, I don't run a skimmer or filter, just tons of flow and chaeto. Then a 10% water change every 1st of the month.

I feel the same way Wazzel does about the Halimeda. Especially since my tank is SPS/clam only, I wouldn't want it sucking up all that calcium. The only algae I'd feel safe about putting in the main display would be gracilaria.

 

[Anonymous]

Hamedia always crashes on me, but a tank at Tropica Paradise has a HUGE one that seems to just keep growing.

Jim

 

[Unarce]

About 12 years ago, I started off with a batch and it completely covered the sand bed. At that time, I couldn't figure out why my 3 clams never grew and died. :evil:

 

[Anonymous]

If you have thriving plant life you will find filterless,skimmerless, no water changes can substain a tank indefinately.

I recommend a refugium with plant life to insure the plant life is protected and thriving.

Cyano will be there with our without ro/di. Phosphates come from the bioload (food) as well as the input water.

that's a fairly bold assertion, and one which is impossible to prove :wink:

have you kept a tank indefinitely ?