canister trade for protein skimmer?

[saggese820]

i have a few questions:
first, for my 55 gallon, i was thinking about trading out my canister filter for a protein skimmer, but then realized that maybe the canister is a better choice? can someone please help me decide between the two? the nitrates in my tank are now perfect with just my canister and wet/dry running, i am afraid that if i switch out the canister for a protein skimmer that might change? any input?

second, I have been trying to solve an algae problem that i've been having. I posted a thread about this already, but i dont think the problem has been solved:
I have two different tanks in the same room, they have some major differences in set up, but one grows algae everywhere and one doesnt at all, can anyone help me figure out why?? they both get the same amount of sunlight, and they both get the water from the same source. here are there specs:

tank with algae:
55 gal
wet/dry
uv sterilizer
store bought sand and rocks (both live and dry rock)
canister filter
small powerhead

tank without algae:
125 gal
wet/dry
protein skimmer
uv sterilizer
beach sand
non-porous rocks and feather rock (the ones that float, but very porous)

the solution that came from this thread was that the lack of a protein skimmer caused the algae growth. i realized that the protein skimmer in the big tank wasnt working for a few months over the winter, yet no algae grew, so i think we can rule out that as being the cause. i was thinking maybe the difference in the sand? i really am clueless please help

also, i was wondering if anyone knew what affected ph levels, beacuse one tank is at 6 while the other is at 9, and they both have the same water source when i do water changes.

and lastly, i bought a new sump pump for my 55 gal because the one in it broke. However, the pump that was in it did not have a gal/hour reading on it, so from the research i did i bought a 700 gal/hour pump, but the overflow cant keep up with it...anyone know what size i should have bought just out of curiosity?

any and all input is greatly appreciated, thank you for all the help so far

 

[ZANYMASTER]

What test kit are you using to test for No3 and Ph?Most would recommend using a skimmer for the 55 and I do as well but others will chime in.Also,Keep your tanks away for direct sunlight as much as possible.A Eheim 1262 would do fine or maybe a 1250 pump.

 

[CDANN76]

A skimmer on any system will not hurt ya in the long run..your the tank with the algae might be from the bio balls or canister holding phos of nitrates if not kept clean(if using pre filters or filter pads do you change and clean regularly?..if your test are showing little to no phos or nitrates and you see algae you've got one or both too high..HTH..

 

[masterswimmer]

Before discussing anything with regard to your algae, canister, skimmer problem, you MUST resolve your pH problem.

First, I don't want to offend you, or sound like an idiot either, but I need to ask.....are both tanks saltwater tanks? I ask because if they are, then all life in the tank with a pH of 6 would most likely be dead. As for the tank with a pH of 9, that is extremely high too. The optimum range for the pH of a saltwater tank should be between 8-8.4

Before addressing any other issues with your tanks, you really need to get a handle on the pH. Zany asked a question about which test kit you're using. That question needs to be answered. In addition to which kit, is it a kit designed for the type of tank (salt or fresh) that you're maintaining? Also check the expiration date on it.

Your other questions can be answered after the pH is corrected and stable.

Russ

 

[saggese820]

yes they are both salwater, and i am using api test strips, they are for both salt and fresh water and they are not expired. i am about to do water changes to both tanks, but i was wondering if someone could tell me what causes ph to change in general so i can maybe try and stop this problem from the source. Thanks for all the input

 

[KathyC]

Test strips are FAR from accurate, so before you attempt to fix an issue (that you may not even have) , you need to get some good quality SW test kits.

You don't say which tank is has which pH reading- can you clear that up.

Also how long has each tank been set up and what creatures live in each tank?
What are you feeding and how often?

 

[saggese820]

the 125 gal has a ph of 6 and the 55 has 9. the 125 has about 6 fish that are all between 8 and 12 inches long. the 55 has one fish 5" long because the old pump broke a week ago and the tank crashed.. but i feel 1nce every other day and i feed sinking pellets, jumbo krill, and i throw in some shrimp, killies, snails, and little crabs that i catch in the bay. it sounds like alot but they are always still hungry after. never any food left behind.

 

[saggese820]

can anyone tell me what affects ph levels?