Chemi Clean Tips

[mook1178]

Having a n issue with Cyano and decided to give Chemi Clean a try.

I have a 75 gal tank and a 40 gallon sump. I would say about 70 gallons of true water. I plan on having my skimmer run and point an extra wave maker or 2 at the surface.

Should I set the skimmer to actually have a skimmate or just turn it down and use for aeration? Any other tips?

Oh I have water made already for the 20% water change.

 

[Privateye]

IME we just turned the skimmer down, or removed the cup and let it overflow into the sump. The system had a low bioload so a few days with no skimmer would be no issue from a waste collection standpoint. Since you need good aeration while treating though, a skimmer without a cup can be a source of aeration.

I'd run some sort of carbon for at least a few days after your treatment is complete.

 

[mook1178]

I usually run carbon and rowaphos. Was going to remove them and add back after the water change, but thanks for the input.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I left the skimmer running normally with the collection cup removed, optimizing aeration without overflow issues.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The recommended water change does not make sense to me, and I did not do it. Just my regular 1% daily changes.

What does a 20% change really accomplish aside from making you think you did something useful?. If there is something bad in the water, as there may be, such as a toxin from dead cyano, 80% of it is still there,

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Having a n issue with Cyano and decided to give Chemi Clean a try.

I have a 75 gal tank and a 40 gallon sump. I would say about 70 gallons of true water. I plan on having my skimmer run and point an extra wave maker or 2 at the surface.

Should I set the skimmer to actually have a skimmate or just turn it down and use for aeration? Any other tips?

Oh I have water made already for the 20% water change.

The skimmer will go crazy for a week or two after treatment. The 20% water change is not enough to calm it down. Try a couple of 50% at least, along with carbon.

 

[Privateye]

The recommended water change does not make sense to me, and I did not do it. Just my regular 1% daily changes.

What does a 20% change really accomplish aside from making you think you did something useful?. If there is something bad in the water, as there may be, such as a toxin from dead cyano, 80% of it is still there,

I've thought about this too. I also don't imagine it's a good export protocol. I'm almost wondering whether it's about maintaining a residual concentration, boosting dissolved oxygen, or something else.

Edit: probably not about maintaining any concentration because they say you can re-engage various filtration methods.

 

[mook1178]

The recommended water change does not make sense to me, and I did not do it. Just my regular 1% daily changes.

What does a 20% change really accomplish aside from making you think you did something useful?. If there is something bad in the water, as there may be, such as a toxin from dead cyano, 80% of it is still there,

I was thinking about this. I'm going to do it, but I do 20% every one or two weeks anyway. I have no other nutrient export for my tank.

My thought is that the dead organics will breakdown and create higher nutrients. If you have a way to export those nutrients, it probably doesn't matter. If your expert is water change, then it's just getting ahead of the game.

I'm due for a water change, so I decided to try this route first.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was thinking about this. I'm going to do it, but I do 20% every one or two weeks anyway. I have no other nutrient export for my tank.

My thought is that the dead organics will breakdown and create higher nutrients. If you have a way to export those nutrients, it probably doesn't matter. If your expert is water change, then it's just getting ahead of the game.

I'm due for a water change, so I decided to try this route first.

To be clear, I have nothing against water changes and recommend them as a general principle. :)