Filtration Question

[Zebodog]

Hi

Perhaps I can solicit some opinions regarding my 65g SW with 70lbs LR and 20lbs Live sand. I'm also running a CSS 125 HOB, Koralia 4 PH and Eheim 2026 canister filter with stock media and carbon pad.

Okay, I realize a sump is the best way to go, but that simply isn't an option at the moment. Probably in about 6 months, I'll go that route though.

From the bottem up, the 2026 has Ehfimech, a coarse blue filter pad, Ehfisubstrat, a fine white filter pad and I run a carbon pad on top of the whole works for a week each month.

All water params are stable, and readings are zero however I suspect that the hair algae I'm currently at war with is feeding off of my nitrates so they don't register. Water test kits used are verified accurate. The same nitrate test shows plenty of nitrates in my FW.

Would you recommend removing any of the filter media in the Eheim?

[Amphiprion]

I would get rid of the mechanical filtration unless you clean/replace it very regularly. There isn't an issue in using it per se (as it does help polish the water), but you need to keep it clean. If you can't do that, then toss it. You have plenty of live rock, so toss the Ehfisubstrat. I would also recommend granular/pelletized/loose activated carbon in a fine mesh filter bag in place of the carbon pad. You may want to do the same with a small amount of granular ferric oxide hydroxide-based phosphate remover.

[Grins]

Hi, your image won't work because RC doesn't allow remote linking. Frankly if the LR is full of life you can get by without running the Eheim. I keep my multistage canister just for running carbon when needed.

[Zebodog]

Thanks for the opinions and feedback.

[Grins]

Reading this again it sounds like the source of your problem is mainly with the water source. Have you considered an RO/DI or buying water from your LFS?

[Zebodog]

...Water test kits used are verified accurate. The same nitrate test shows plenty of nitrates in my FW.


I should have clarified that I was refering to my FW tank and not source FW. My source FW readings for NO3 are zero, and PO4 are less than 0.25mg/L.

I've dumped the Ehfimech and am running a bag of Phosban (yeah, works better in a reactor but the wife is already barely tolerating the skimmer hanging off the back...of course, it could be a great tool to sell her on a sump! :D) I'm contemplating <i>slowly</i> removing the Ehfisubstrat as well, taking a little at each weekly water change.

On a related note, I have 5 Turbo's, 10 hermits, and an emerald crab on janitorial duty and am contemplating hiring some additional help: Another 5 snails, another emerald and a couple of Sally Lightfoot's. Any thoughts?

Regards

[andy1130]

The snails will be the most helpful for fighting algae problems. Turbos are great but if you plan on keeping corals they can get big and clunky, knocking things over as they plow along. An alternative would be trochus or astrea snails who will stay a bit smaller.

[Dustin83]

Hmmm... whenever someone has algae problem, first thing I question is the water source, like Grins says. Not sure what kind of water you're using, but using Ro/Di may help (I apologize if you are using it already).

Other than that, only other suggestion would be to do frequent water change, preferably about 15-20% a week in this case (which is little bit more than normal) to bring that nitrate to near 0.

[Zebodog]

After two weeks and two water changes with RO/DI, I can safely say that I am driving the hair algae back, slowly but surely.

I always knew since day one, that water treatment and tap water wouldn't take me to the dance, but there was always that glimmer of hope that my tap water was special. :)

Oh well, chalk that up to lesson #3,471 in marine aquariums. :D

Thanks for the input everyone!

[Grins]

Great news, hope you continue to come back and share your tank with us.