At wits end with algae...

[saltyfilmfolks]

Lol I feel like an idiot.

I am an Idiot. its cool.

Also you'll stop and digest it all to.

and budget.

 

[peasout05]

No I dont have ato and Id have to see if I could find somewhere that offered RODI water.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Using a gravel vacuum hose that you can find at any LFS or petsmart, just start the sifon and with one hand, pinch the hose to stop the water flow, and release the hose to vacuum.

both work. this one is once the sand is clean.

 

[reeferfoxx]

both work. this one is once the sand is clean.

Yep yours is turning the sand over with a turkey baster! :D

 

[peasout05]

Yeah I have a vacuum that I always use with water changes but I try not to suck up to much sand. I thought you meant to dig it into the sand and move around. I just want a system thats going to be pretty easy to manage that'll keep my tank as clean as possible for fish/coral and prolong periods of cleaning and having to have my hands all in the tank. I feel like me being all in the water doesnt help.

 

[peasout05]

Oh wow yeah that vacuum video really helps I wasnt doing that. I was just hovering over the sand. Thats really helpful and I need to get a baster too.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

once you get it tuned, I'm not in the tank more than once a week really, unless something gets knocked over.
And it takes awhile to find your style and comfort zone.
ReeferFoxx and I and Brew all have different ways of doing it. you may have noticed.

 

[reeferfoxx]

I just want a system thats going to be pretty easy to manage that'll keep my tank as clean as possible for fish/coral and prolong periods of cleaning and having to have my hands all in the tank.

Sticking to soft coral with an Auto Top Off System and a 6 gallon jug for RODI water will let you go a couple weeks without serious intervention.

 

[peasout05]

Well I REALLY appreciate all you guys help and I'm encouraged to know that it can be fixed. I just need to get to the store and get some stuff and get to cleaning.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yup. and welcome to Reef2reef! Pretty cool folks here.

theres a good used gear section here, lots of old timers and lots of helpful folks, equipment reviews, bashing n such.

 

[peasout05]

Lol thank you and oh I'm gonna have to check out the used gear section.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Lol thank you and oh I'm gonna have to check out the used gear section.

Once you get past the red and green stuff you'll start to feel comfortable about the bubble algae and aiptasia. Those two can be tackled last. In the process of cleaning stuff try not to pop any of those bubbles. They will spread their spores. Cheers and good luck!

 

[Brew12]

How do you vacuum sand without sucking it all up? Lol I feel like an idiot.

I let my snails vacuum the sand.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I let my snails vacuum the sand.

you musta got some BIG snails.

 

[cnseekatz]

Sticking to soft coral with an Auto Top Off System and a 6 gallon jug for RODI water will let you go a couple weeks without serious intervention.

THIS!!

I've purchased thousands and thousands of dollars worth of equipment and livestock, and my single best purchase was my AutoAqua Smart ATO. Go to your LFS and buy a couple jugs of RO/DI water and enjoy. My second best purchase was an RO/DI filtration system... saves me so many trips to buy water!

After that, I would focus on increasing your flow, being vigilant with your maintenance, and figuring out a cleaner feeding routine.

Whatever you do, keep asking questions. As long as you are receptive to the advice you get, no one will judge you! ;)

 

[nursedude]

Peasout05, any update on your tank? Would love to see how things are progressing.