Unknown buildup in refugium/chamber

[skoh]

Hi, thanks for looking. I have a 5 Gallon from CADLIGHTS and I love it. However, in the refugium or chambers in the back, i'm getting some buildup and I just want to make sure that its' ok to have in there. I'm having a nitrate problem where I can't seem to get the nitrates down and I just wanted someone with more experience than me see if there is anything that im not doing correctly. I did three 20% water changes last week and it helped but I can't seem to rid the disease. I just ordered some cheato and hopefully that will help. I plan on putting the cheato in the second chamber where the pump is. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ef3s]

What kind of build up is it? Algae, Salt, Crud???

 

[Anonymous]

If you are talking about the white stuff on the rocks/bioballs/floor, that is simply detrious (decaying crud from the tank) that should be siphoned out. If you have issues with nitrates, you would be better off taking out the rock and bioballs I see there as they do nothing BUT make nitrate and go with the macro algae that you ordered to export nutrients. The green ooze is algae and can be scraped out without a problem.

Nitrate issues are due to there being too many nutrients in the tank that are being broken to ammonia to nitrite ending up as nitrate. This can be from overfeeding, initial water quality, lack of skimming, etc. so looking for any problems in those areas might help you solve your issue.

 

[skoh]

thanks you guys are awesome, glad I joined