OK, I need help-

[scouncil]

I can just go and get another big trash can. You can never have too many trash cans on a farm. The one I have is about 33-35 gal, so maybe I can find a 25 gallon one that will be easier to move around. My RODI can is on the roller wheel thing, so it's easy to get closer to the tank. Alex didn't have any Chemi stuff, but I think I have some from a couple of months ago when I dosed the tank. The hair algae is disappearing, so the alcohol does work for that.....
Susan

 

[ironman]

I wouldnt worry about the chemi clean susan, it isnt doing anything more for you than what you are already running in the phosban reactor

 

[scouncil]

OK. Thanks.

 

[bkv1997]

Susan:

For the first time ever i actually agree with everythign bryan said so I won't rewrite it all.

Don't spend lots of money on Phosphate removing products because at the levels yours are at it would take a ton of it to completely remove it, do large water changes for now, then use a product once it gets lower. Cut the feedings back to smaller more frequent and you have to get a skimmer that is bigger and works. For your tank and feeding habits get one rated for a 500 gallon tank.

Brandon

Ok Susan, sorry I missed this thread yesterday. And sorrry I havent been able to make it over there.

There are alot of issues here.
1- stop dosing the Dts, or at least only dose alittle once a week. But till the phosphates are down I would stop all together.
2. Stop feeding flake foods for now. Very high ash content is bad right now.
3. feed frozen foods like mysis and brine, but thaw first and do not add the liquid that they are packed in. strain them through a fish net or something similiar to seperate them. that liquid is high in nutrients.
4. You really need to consider a bigger skimmer if you choose to keep the size fish you have and the amount of coral you have. you simply cant skim enough to compensate for all the food and poop that is being produced. However I dont think brandons is the answer, just something bigger.
5. DO NOT take your fish out, and dont do insane water changes. If you can change 50 gallons of water each weekend that would be better. Yes bigger water changes is the answer. but to big will stress everything and cause worse problems than you already have.

bottom line be careful what you are feeding for awhile, fish can live quite well for periods of time with less food. Do large water changes on a regular basis till water stabilizes. start planning a new sump system that will incorperate a bigger skimmer or plan to down grade the amount of bio load in the tank.

 

[scouncil]

Wow! Brandon agreeing with Bryan! And the date is what? April 19, 2009.

OK, 50 gallon water change planned for later today or tomorrow morning. If I'm changing that much water, I need to have it better than room temp, or is room temp ok. My salinity is at 1.028 in the tank, but I want it just a touch lower, right?

I've got about 30 gallons rodi and I'm adding the salt to it now. My RODI I think runs either 35 or 75 gals a day, but I know it fills up at least half overnight, so I suspect that it's 75. I know it's better to have the salt mixed up at least a day in advance, right? Is that just for stability, or to avoid particulate matter, what?

And I need suggestions of a skimmer. Would like to support Donny if possible, if he can match prices, but don't have to use Donny. I'll have to have one that can be plumbed outside the sump since I don't think a bigger one will fit inside. I can't drill my 75 sump. What is the next size down from Brandon's- I need a link please. And I need one that works. I've had nothing but problems with my last two and maybe it's because I'm not the best with mechanical things (like making them work), but I think I can tweak something.

And I guess I'll do whopping big water changes weekly for a while (ok, I've finally read the aquarium chemistry book that I bought and gosh, am I in big trouble.....).

Thanks for everybody's help.
Susan

 

[AlexStinson]

I really like my octopus skimmer susan, and it would work under your tank, theres also one size larger that would probably work to.

 

[ironman]

try and get the salinity down to 1.023 - 1.025 I would do your first water change at 1.023 just to slowly bring the salinity down. are you using a hydrometer, or a refractometer?

 

[bkv1997]

Susan some great articles for you to read.

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) Phosphate Binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm

Skimmers:
My general recommendation would be. A recirculating NW skimmer that you can feed from one of your overflows.

 

[bkv1997]

Oh yea and as far as Vodka dosing..... Be careful. Some people newer to this method are using STUPID amounts. Less is sometimes more. I'll just follow this up with a section from one of the articles I linked and tell you that Tommy and I both use a similiar Carbon source and dose less than 1ml a day.

"""
5. Driving bacterial growth is another option. Not only does it do a good job of reducing phosphate levels, it reduces other nutrients as well (e.g., nitrogen compounds). It is also very inexpensive and may benefit the aquarium in other ways, such as providing a food source for certain organisms. Its drawbacks are that it makes it difficult not to drive the nutrient levels too low, and the fact that it consumes oxygen as the bacteria use the added organics as a carbon source.
"""""

 

[scouncil]

Refractometer. I found the plastic things too variable and they drove me nuts....

I think I have an octopus. It has an octopus on the top....
Susan

 

[ironman]

Ya, Susan its time to stay away from nock offs as far as skimmers go. You are not the person to be the nock off guinee pig. If you are gonna replace the skimmer you will do it right this time or im not giving any more advice! LOL!
I just wanted to make sure you were giving us salinity from a refractometer and not a hydrometer because of how inaccurate they are.

 

[AlexStinson]

it appears your duncans are just letting loose of thier polyps... I just picked up the colony and an entire polyp just floated away

 

[scouncil]

That's what I thought. The others aren't doing that, though they are unhappy and not their usual selves.....

OK, suggestions on skimmers? What kind does Brandon have, or what are the best brands? I SHOULD have bought the one at the show.... UGH!!

 

[ironman]

I will try and do some research tonight and post some things i think will works for you

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Me and Brandon are using an Reeflo ORCA 250 to skim.

 

[scouncil]

I can find your model on the net, but is the brand name Reeflo or ORCA? I knew I was going to be in for a big chunk of money, but $1200 is really painful (especially considering I still think I might need a chiller in the future). Any good sources for a better price? I do want a good skimmer, so I'll pay the money if I have to, but OUCH!!!
Susan

 

[scouncil]

OK, Sequence is the brand. What about the model below it?- http://www.aquacave.com/reeflo-orca-200-protein-brskimmer-by-sequence-1912.html or do you think with my feeding habits and big fish that I need the whopper skimmer?
Susan

 

[ironman]

I think that would be a good skimmer for you Susan, I dont have experience with them, but the people who have them say they are great skimmers. I think the model 200 would be perfect for you, I will leave it to brandon to say whether he thinks you should go overkill with the 250.

 

[scouncil]

I think Brandon goes for overkill on everything, doesn't he? I mean that in a GOOD way, you know....

 

[FaviaFreak]

you can also add a ton of hermits and let them go to town, hermits work wonders on nusiance algae, they should also help you get an upper hand on the problem so you can fix it by mowing it down for you