Dirty Tank

[ZBT3091]

The glass of my 75 continuouslly browns over. I usually have to scrape the glass with a razor or algae cleaner once every two days, and if i wait 3 or 4 it gets to the point where its hard to see through the tank. Based on other people's pics, this seems to only be my problem. Tank is 48" long and 18(?)" deep with a orbit PC 6x54 watt 2 actinic 2 50/50. There are also little pink colonies of bacteria on the sides and the back of the tank, which i usually dont clean. It looks like someone stuck their gum to the sides of the tank. Is this usual?

 

[jackson6745]

Your water quality is poor. There are many ways to fix this problem......from buying expensive skimmers to running special medias and even dosing certain additives. Best thing to do would be to diagnose your problem through testkit results and act accordingly.

Without knowing more info I would run phosban and increase water changes using RODI water.

 

[Mr.First]

How long has the tank been establabished ?
I bet less than 6 months.

 

[wxl14]

Do you have any live rock and how many gallons is your tank what kind of filter system do you have what are your water paramaters. how long do you leave your lights on? Im to lazy to put more then one question mark. lol

 

[ZBT3091]

my tank has been running (marine) for over a year. I have a remora pro skimmer which pulled a cup in about a week, but has crapped out on me and seems to pull minimal skimmate. I have two ehiem hang on back skimmers loaded with filter media, and an eheim classic also loaded with media. I have around 60 lbs or LR. The tank is pretty stocked (see sig), but all fish are small and will be sold before things get out of hand. I feed modestly once a day - once everyother day. The tank is a 75 gal. I run the lights a long time. Usually before i live for school (830 AM until 11 PM). I think this may be the problem. All my fish and anemones always seem fine

 

[ZBT3091]

I usually top off my water by filling it with tap (I live in LI) and add proCalcium and proPH (not sure the exact name - PH is a purple bottle Calcium is yellow) and i also add something by Genesis which removes chlorine. Is there a liquid to remove phosphates? I also have phosphate remover media in the filters. When i do water changes i do the same thing to top off but add salt.

 

[LeslieS]

Is your tank exposed to natural light? In the summer, my tank is hit by sunshine from two sides all day long. The glass turns green every single day. If I didn't clean it, it would be completely opaque by the end of the week.

 

[Killerdrgn]

Yeah the photo period and the phosphates in your tap water are probably the problem.

 

[reefman]

i think jackson sums it up the best. n using tap isnt helping.

 

[jab161]

14 hour light cycle is a bit long in my opinion, and i would say you should have many more snails and some hermit crabs to clean up a bit

 

[ZBT3091]

i guess ill get some more snails and hermits. leslie- the tank receives direct sunlight for about 45 minutes to an hour everyday in the morning and the light only hits certain spots. Are there any liquid phosphate removers because my filter media doesn't seem to be doing it. And how can i fix the top water problem?

 

[JLAudio]

Change to RODI, run a phos reactor and Immediately step up water changes to initially bring down nutrients. I would guarentee your phosphates and/or nitrates are high.

 

[ZBT3091]

RODI seems to be pretty expensive. any good cheap units to recommend?

 

[h20 freak]

Definetely get an RODI and phosban,lower photoperiod and more cleanup crew,dont have the money?save and don't buy any other livestock ,thats what im doing =/

 

[ZBT3091]

is this a good model? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4395+10759&pcatid=10759

 

[Killerdrgn]

for a little more you can get a typhoon 3 from air water ice.

 

[h20 freak]

Just read only 1 cup per week =O.Are you running it super dry?Arent those collection cups quite small?My skimmer will pull 1-2 cups a day.

 

[autoponicz]

what is in your eheim canister ?....
and look for a 5 to 6 stage RODI....search here for a unit or ebay....we have sponsored vendors that can sell you a good unit and a great price....those name brand rodi's(kent,coralife) are overpriced....

 

[rookie07]

I would buy a 5 stage rodi...its more $...but its better...you get what you pay for is more true in this hobby than anything ive done before.

http://www.thefilterguys.biz/ro_di_systems.htm

I really like them, and the customer service is great.....I think certain sponsered vendors sell RO/DI also

 

[wxl14]

RO DI would be the fix. I would also get a timer for your lights so that you dont have to be home to turn your light off and on. That will help also.