Filter issues...still

[Yesevil123]

So i use the coralife HOB 20-30 gallon filter with built in skimmer. My filter is hardly producing a flow and of course the skimmer is just not working still. But I read the manual bout the filter and it said to unplug the filter when I take the cup from the skimmer to drain... I haven't been doing that... so is it a me problem? I know I need a new filter/ skimmer because they aren't practical but this is what I go as of right now.

Side note. I did put chaeto in my tank about a week ago. I think it could also be clogged but I have no idea how to unclog it

 

[BeanAnimal]

I have never seen one in person, but assume there is an impeller down under the skimmer or filter basket. You need to make sure that is is clean and free of debris. Do the same for the intake pipe that extends down into the water.

 

[Yesevil123]

I have never seen one in person, but assume there is an impeller down under the skimmer or filter basket. You need to make sure that is is clean and free of debris. Do the same for the intake pipe that extends down into the water.

Okay!! I'll have to take a look at that part. Thank you!!

 

[Yesevil123]

Update on my tank:
Sigh, so my coralife filter with the built in skimmer sh** the bed... of course. As I've been told and read. I'm still having a small green water issue. But I also didn't have a filter in the tank for a few days, because of delayed shipping. It was becoming super loud and not working as well as it was when i first installed it.

I was told by someone already, maybe a few people, on these many threads of mine, that my tank and filtration/skimming set basically "sucks" which i know this. It was kind of a temporary thing i guess. But I want to upgrade again. But to a bigger and better proper saltwater tank, 38 gallon peninsula AIO nano. I'm gonna just bite the bullet and just buy everything all at once. I just need recommendations on lighting and circulation pumps.

I'll be adding corals eventually to the tank and i want the correct lighting. Including built in day/night timer/modes/24hr cycles. I JUST bought a new light for the hexagon 20 gallon i have. Its a 18-24 inch coarlife led light with a 24hr light cycle thing and its hard to figure out how to use the controller and set it up right. Should i use this light still or should I buy a different one and which one should I buy?
I also want the right circulation pump. I have a few different ones but they never work the way I think it should. It's not as strong as I think its suppose to be?? I buy ones for the size tank i have but they don't seem strong enough current wise. My top water barely moves. The filter seems to be stronger than the pump itself.

I want to stop wasting all this money on cheap stuff. Which I should expect because of the quality but also.... the funds. Im not loosing stock, its just not appealing to look at because it's green still.

What should I do about all the newish live sand, rock, and livestock i currently have in my 20 gallon?

Should I even be starting over in a sense? I dont want to give up on this tank but it's just not working the way I wanted it too and hoped for.

 

[Uncle99]

Can see your system?
This would help provide some context to your situation.

Currently, how old is the system?

 

[Tamberav]

So just to be real with you, your tank is maybe a month old and all these issues are pretty normal for a young tank. Usually not green water but not particularly surprising.

Nano tanks don't technically even need filters or skimmers but ofc proper flow and lighting are important. Just saying mechanical filtration and such is completely optional (technically on all tanks, but more so on nano's). People who spend a lot of $, don't necessarily have better tanks.

I am just saying tread lightly, an upgrade will probably be refreshing in that the tank will be easier to work in and such but your lack of skimmer or filter isn't the direct cause for green water.

Many of the AIO's have small compartments and may not fit any sort of great skimmer or such if that is what you want. You should be able to look at what the compartment sizes are and skimmer sizes and see what can work or what the options are before purchasing.

What budget do you have? Lighting and pump prices can vary a lot. The longer the tank is, the more you may spend due to needing better coverage vs a cube style tank but it gives more room for fish to swim.

I get you are frustrated but keep in mind when you restart, there will still probably be uglies for 1st 6 months - year unless you can afford some quality live rock from the ocean.

I guess I am saying make a budget and a plan for every piece before buying anything.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Update on my tank:
Sigh, so my coralife filter with the built in skimmer sh** the bed... of course. As I've been told and read. I'm still having a small green water issue. But I also didn't have a filter in the tank for a few days, because of delayed shipping. It was becoming super loud and not working as well as it was when i first installed it.

I was told by someone already, maybe a few people, on these many threads of mine, that my tank and filtration/skimming set basically "sucks" which i know this. It was kind of a temporary thing i guess. But I want to upgrade again. But to a bigger and better proper saltwater tank, 38 gallon peninsula AIO nano. I'm gonna just bite the bullet and just buy everything all at once. I just need recommendations on lighting and circulation pumps.

I'll be adding corals eventually to the tank and i want the correct lighting. Including built in day/night timer/modes/24hr cycles. I JUST bought a new light for the hexagon 20 gallon i have. Its a 18-24 inch coarlife led light with a 24hr light cycle thing and its hard to figure out how to use the controller and set it up right. Should i use this light still or should I buy a different one and which one should I buy?
I also want the right circulation pump. I have a few different ones but they never work the way I think it should. It's not as strong as I think its suppose to be?? I buy ones for the size tank i have but they don't seem strong enough current wise. My top water barely moves. The filter seems to be stronger than the pump itself.

I want to stop wasting all this money on cheap stuff. Which I should expect because of the quality but also.... the funds. Im not loosing stock, its just not appealing to look at because it's green still.

What should I do about all the newish live sand, rock, and livestock i currently have in my 20 gallon?

Should I even be starting over in a sense? I dont want to give up on this tank but it's just not working the way I wanted it too and hoped for.

As I mentioned previously, this filter is not sufficient for your tank and most tanks as it is not what coralife claims and reason for low regard with coralife equipment in general. This unit is a mechanical filter and its best advantage is to polish water and trap particles via the cartridge. You want to have mechanical , biological and chemical to manage proper water quality.
Chemical is what traps and breaks down chemical compounds such as feces and uneaten food often accomplished with use of carbon and GFO as examples
Biological is what utilizes the natural process of biological filtration such as use of ceramic nuggets, bio blocks, and microscopic bacteria surfaces as examples. Best it to add or use a hang on refugium such as Reef octopus or AquaMaxx unit and even add a hang on skimmer such as ice cap K1- or K2 100

 

[Reefering1]

Alot of your problems have been related to equipment, unique equipment that many people don't have 1st hand experience with(that can't really help when something is wrong). I do think upgrading will help, but I suggest getting something with a sump. That way you don't find yourself in the same corner again with skimmer and other equipment.
If not overrun with pests, I would transfer the rocks and new sand/ water. Proper circulation/ aeration will do alot. Don't rush into adding corals, let it stabilize and look good for a while. (Unless those corals are already in your tank dying. Then acclimate and move once the dust settles)

 

[Yesevil123]

So just to be real with you, your tank is maybe a month old and all these issues are pretty normal for a young tank. Usually not green water but not particularly surprising.

Nano tanks don't technically even need filters or skimmers but ofc proper flow and lighting are important. Just saying mechanical filtration and such is completely optional (technically on all tanks, but more so on nano's). People who spend a lot of $, don't necessarily have better tanks.

I am just saying tread lightly, an upgrade will probably be refreshing in that the tank will be easier to work in and such but your lack of skimmer or filter isn't the direct cause for green water.

Many of the AIO's have small compartments and may not fit any sort of great skimmer or such if that is what you want. You should be able to look at what the compartment sizes are and skimmer sizes and see what can work or what the options are before purchasing.

What budget do you have? Lighting and pump prices can vary a lot. The longer the tank is, the more you may spend due to needing better coverage vs a cube style tank but it gives more room for fish to swim.

I get you are frustrated but keep in mind when you restart, there will still probably be uglies for 1st 6 months - year unless you can afford some quality live rock from the ocean.

I guess I am saying make a budget and a plan for every piece before buying anything.

Honestly I can't afford to buy EVERYTHING up front. But a 500$ tank with equipment already supplied meaning like a skimmer, filter, media, circularion pump, etc. That works for me until I can get a sump and what not. I also dont have the room for a giant tank. I don't have my own place. I'm also a vet tech so I dont make loads of money. I can't physically drop $1000 on tanks and supplies in one purchase.

I honestly just need someone to guide me on what I can by for a decent price that won't destroy my wallet

 

[vetteguy53081]

Honestly I can't afford to buy EVERYTHING up front. But a 500$ tank with equipment already supplied meaning like a skimmer, filter, media, circularion pump, etc. That works for me until I can get a sump and what not. I also dont have the room for a giant tank. I don't have my own place. I'm also a vet tech so I dont make loads of money. I can't physically drop $1000 on tanks and supplies in one purchase.

I honestly just need someone to guide me on what I can by for a decent price that won't destroy my wallet

giant rank not a necessity. Aim for sufficient and adequate filtration. I understand budgets and a small tank is doable with good filtration/water quality

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Stay away from coralife and fluval. . There are much better ‘low budget’ brands available.

 

[dedragon]

I'm gonna just bite the bullet and just buy everything all at once. I just need recommendations on lighting and circulation pumps.

Just make sure you wait a week or 2 for black friday sales. No point buying right before they slash prices

 

[PharmrJohn]

My Dad taught me from the beginning to buy the best, IF I could afford it. Otherwise, the best that I COULD afford. When I got my first real SW tank, I didn't follow his advice. Lo and Behold, I had to repurchase pretty much everything. In this hobby, tho, the most expensive is not necessarily the best. There are plenty of budget options out there that will do a great job, in skimmers, powerheads, lighting.....You name it. Just do your due diligence in research and go from there. There are tons of recommendation threads on this site, so search them out. R2R is a GREAT resource.

 

[Uncle99]

It doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive.
A simply glass box, HOB filter, HOB skimmer, sand, rock, and a Nicrew or Viparspectra LED will go along way. This is 65g budget tank.

 

[Tamberav]

Honestly I can't afford to buy EVERYTHING up front. But a 500$ tank with equipment already supplied meaning like a skimmer, filter, media, circularion pump, etc. That works for me until I can get a sump and what not. I also dont have the room for a giant tank. I don't have my own place. I'm also a vet tech so I dont make loads of money. I can't physically drop $1000 on tanks and supplies in one purchase.

I honestly just need someone to guide me on what I can by for a decent price that won't destroy my wallet

Petco tank with 50% off, a HOB like Seachem tidal, a Jeabo SOW pump, and a chinese light like a smatfarm is all you need for a successful reef, you don't even need the HOB but it's nice to have in case you want to run carbon occasionally and polish the water with floss.

Also you need to use distilled or RODI water.

I had the same hex tank as you many years ago, I had two powerheads and a Chinese light. No mechanical filtration. I wish I could find a pic of it.

 

[Tamberav]

oo I found it, this was a 20 or maybe 29g hex tank. Big cheap koralia powerheads and a reef breeders value fixture (viperspectra probably similar these days).

The rock was some random large dead coral my mom had sitting outside in her garden, ha! Tank was free. It was very budget college tank.