Crushed Coral Woes

[freefall582]

this isnt meant to spark any arguement on which substrate is better, I only want to know if people have experience with a CC substrate. In my 75g setup Ive had for 8 months, I bought CC for my substrate and it has given me hassles ever since. I want to know some cleaning techniques that other people have. Right now, the CC usually has a green tint to it from algae, and the best way I have to clean it is with my gravel vacuum, which really only mixes it up a little bit. I am using RO water but am still having some difficulties. I have had to limit my light, and often only keep the actinics on, and not the full daytime light. Anyone have some advice? Is keeping the nitrates as low as possible one of the only solutions to keeping the algae off my CC?

[mrebolton]

IMO keep the nitrates as low as possible will keep your algae down. Also too you may want to invest in some cleaners for your tank, like shrimp or hermit crabs. If I may ask, what is your nitrates at? Also is your skimmer working to the fullest of its ability?

[freefall582]

i tested the water a couple days ago and i believe it was around 5ppm, maybe a little more, i am doing a 10% water change this evening as well. I do have a small cleaning crew (12 blue leg hermits, 10 astrea, 2 turbo snails). My skimmer (unfortunately just a seaclone that I got for cheap, couldnt pass it up at the time) is running and picking up green muck. Tomorrow, when I switch to my wet/dry, I will put the skimmer in the wet/dry tank. Eventually I will upgrade my skimmer, but probably isnt feasible at the moment.

[mrebolton]

Nitrates might be why you are having the algae problems. Also too, upgrading to a better skimmer might help too. Too many disolved organics in the water will definitely cause algae blooms. I had a Seaclone on a 55gl and had to upgrade to a better one because I just wasnt cutting it.

[freefall582]

would it be worth my while to switch over to sand? I would hate to have to scoop out all the CC and switch it with sand, talk about a pain in the butt, but if it would be best in the end i would be willing to try it.

[jessie]

i wish i could keep my nitrates at 5ppm. i have a problem keeping mine under 20ppm. when i had a CC bottom it was much higher.

[tomdkat]

i wish i could keep my nitrates at 5ppm. i have a problem keeping mine under 20ppm. when i had a CC bottom it was much higher.What is your substrate now?

Peace...

[freefall582]

actually i checked it today and it was in the 10-15 range, so thats probably my problem. I would hate to have to switch substrates now after the tank is so established. Getting rid of all the living organisms in my substrate would be a problem most likely.

[ragc]

Sand is no better...had same issue with sand. Concentrate on phosphates and nitrates and it will go away.

[FloridaBoy]

Time for a serious skimmer.

[jessie]

i have about a 4-5 inch deep sand bed.

[tomdkat]

So, did you keep the CC or did you switch to sand?

Peace...

[Debisbooked]

i have about a 4-5 inch deep sand bed.
I'm curious, why so much sand?

[freefall582]

I think im switching to sand, its going to be quite a bit of labor, but I believe it will be worth it to me and my fish. Im also upgrading my skimmer soon.