Cleaning Tank

N

Nobez

AC Members
Sep 27, 2005
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I am just wondering if what I am doing is normal for cleaning procedures. I have a protein skimmer and a power filter on my tank right now, roughly 10-15 turbo snails, and a cleaner shrimp. I still have a problem with keeping the glass and bottom of the tank clean. How should I be cleaning this, or is there a solution to eleminate this problem?

Thanks
 
Please clarify your problem my friend...
What are you considering as "clean" and "dirty?"
Are we talking algae, diatoms, detritus? Substrates can be stirred/sifted by living animals, also manually vacuumed with caution, glass can be cleaned with magnetic pads, but "clean" means different things in the world of marine aquaria. Some of the algae, bacteria etc. is actually quite beneficial depending on which type of system you have.
 
I do not know what Diatoms or Detritus are for one, so I guess I am in big trouble. It seems to be either a green or brown algee buildup on the glass, and also on the coral. My tank right now has 3 damsels 2 clowns 1 purple basslett 4 starfish of different types a puffer and the above meantioned snails and shrimp. I have a cleaner wond right now to clean the glass, but my hand ends up in the tank quite often, is that bad?
 
It would be helpful to know your tank history, size, filtration.
Algae removal is part of a regular maintenance schedule in many fish systems. Placing your hands in the tank should be kept to a minimum, but is not harmful as long as you are removing all soaps/chemicals from them first, including under the fingernails. Cutting down on the dissolved organics can help also adding more algivores, etc. but perhaps I cannot assume you understand these terms/concepts...
Diatoms and detritus are common words for this hobby and the fact that you don't know them tells me you could use more general marine aquarium knowledge; pick up Fenner's book The Conscientous Marine Aquarist, it will give you a great foundation and future shelf reference.
 
Size of the tank is 60gal and the filtration is as meantioned above one auqaclear 500 power filter and a protein skimmer and about 15lbs of live rock. I will be looking for a book while I am out tomorrow, thanks.
 
I would also suggest a closed loop system for water movement or some powerheads. You really need some more water movement in your tank.

Bradd
 
From what I understand a good rule of thumb is for you to have 10x turnover. So, if you have a 55g tank you would want a powerhead, or combination of powerheads that would push 550 gallons per hour of water movement through your tank.

Bradd
 
You can do a few things here. Look under the DIY (Do it yourself) section for plans on how to build a closed loop display or add some more powerheads. The price will depend on what you use to make the closed loop, or on what brand and size powerhead you buy. When I first started my tank I bought 3 powerheads from Wal-Mart just to get some water movement. I still have and use these powerheads and they seem to be working just fine.

Hope this helps,

Bradd
 
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