ok so this summer i really want to upgrade my 20 gal saltwater tank. its not a big upgrade (only to 55) but its something. I have the tank, and the salt . now what i need help with is the filtration/cuc. Im sick and tired of the sand in my tank looking like S**t with algea mixed in and what not. I want this tank to be crystal clear, no algea at all. How do i acieve my goal without dropping over 500$ in filtration/cuc's?
upgrade help!
- Thread starter SpJc11
- Start date
Are you using ro/di water? A UV steralizer will help also (a little). You can also setup an algae screen to remove a good amount of the algae.
Link to the build of an algae scrubber:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=algae+scrubber
Link to the build of an algae scrubber:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180385&highlight=algae+scrubber
maybe try thishttp://www.fishtanksdirect.com/380canisterfilterbyoceanclear.aspx
i was thinking of using one like it for mine.
i was thinking of using one like it for mine.
I would still reccommend using the algae scrubber. It should cost you much in the way of material, and isnt difficult to assemble.
Algae scrubber will keep your nitrates/phosphates waaaay down.
You don't have an RO/DI unit, but are you atleast using RO/DI water?
Are you using a protein skimmer?
a UV Sterilizer will not do anything for algae.
I would avoid using mechanical filtration for salt water, best option is a sump set up, have the water flowing into some bio balls/live rock, then into where your protein skimmer is. you can even throw a small lamp on the sump with a ball of chaeto macro algae to help with your nitrate/phosphate problems.
The biggest reason for algae growth in a tank is your nitrate's and phosphates being too high.
You can also buy a lettuce nudibranch, they will eat the hair algae.
Also if its a reef tank you're going to want a clean up crew. Get some peppermint shrimp, 10-20 blue legged hermits, and an assortment of 10-20 sails for the 55g. you can also get a brittle/serpent starfish they help a lot with left over food.
You don't have an RO/DI unit, but are you atleast using RO/DI water?
Are you using a protein skimmer?
a UV Sterilizer will not do anything for algae.
I would avoid using mechanical filtration for salt water, best option is a sump set up, have the water flowing into some bio balls/live rock, then into where your protein skimmer is. you can even throw a small lamp on the sump with a ball of chaeto macro algae to help with your nitrate/phosphate problems.
The biggest reason for algae growth in a tank is your nitrate's and phosphates being too high.
You can also buy a lettuce nudibranch, they will eat the hair algae.
Also if its a reef tank you're going to want a clean up crew. Get some peppermint shrimp, 10-20 blue legged hermits, and an assortment of 10-20 sails for the 55g. you can also get a brittle/serpent starfish they help a lot with left over food.