A couple of questions

[zachslow]

1. I change out the carbon on my system every two weeks, but I'm curious exactly how much carbon i should be adding. I've heard 1/2 cup for every 50 gallons. Anyone have any suggestions?

2. What methods do people use to clean their sumps out? I keep hearing that people siphon, but my sump is on the floor and i doubt i could get the suction needed. How often do you clean out your sump? I have a bare bottom sump. Do you take the macro algae out to clean under it?

3. How often do you suggest trimming back chaeto? It grows like crazy in my sump, but not sure how often to yank some of it. Is it beneficial to trim it?

4. I've been doing 20% water changes every two weeks using natural sea water from a reputable LFS close to me. I've noticed the last two times I've done a water change, i've had cyno pop up. Wondering if there could be a correlation, or if it's just coincidence. Maybe it's because my nitrates are hovering between 5-10.

Thanks!

 

[zachslow]

bump.

anyone?

 

[mille239]

Re: A couple of questions

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15441682#post15441682 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachslow
1. I change out the carbon on my system every two weeks, but I'm curious exactly how much carbon i should be adding. I've heard 1/2 cup for every 50 gallons. Anyone have any suggestions?

Generally speaking this is agood rule to follow. I use approx. 1.5 cups (185 total system volume) changed out monthly.

2. What methods do people use to clean their sumps out? I keep hearing that people siphon, but my sump is on the floor and i doubt i could get the suction needed. How often do you clean out your sump? I have a bare bottom sump. Do you take the macro algae out to clean under it?

I use a maxijet with a piece of tubing atached to the input and output to vacuum out my sump which also sits on the floor. works great.

3. How often do you suggest trimming back chaeto? It grows like crazy in my sump, but not sure how often to yank some of it. Is it beneficial to trim it?

I used to trim mine every other week or so.. pulling out half, and once it doubles, repeat. (I dose vodka now, so my chaeto hardly grows)

4. I've been doing 20% water changes every two weeks using natural sea water from a reputable LFS close to me. I've noticed the last two times I've done a water change, i've had cyno pop up. Wondering if there could be a correlation, or if it's just coincidence. Maybe it's because my nitrates are hovering between 5-10.

nitrates, flow, phosphates.... all play a part (as well as light) in the growth of cyano. Are you running any phosphate media? you might try doing that in addition to increasing the flow in the areas that the cyano is showing up. If it shows up right after the water change, then disappears slowly, I would definately suspect your NSW as the culprit. Good luck!

Thanks!

 

[rkelman]

I think how much carbon you use depends on how you are using it. Are you using it in a reactor?

I siphon mine and its on the floor.. As long as the bucket water level is below the sump water level it will siphon..

How often to trim Chaeto is dependant on how much area you have for it to grow. I'd generally try and keep it so it fills about 1/3 of the area in the fuge.

If they are sucking the water out of the Bay close to shore I would think the water quality may not be great / thus the cyano.

 

[zachslow]

my phosphates are a steady 0.
my nitrates are go between 5-10.
my flow should be solid as i have 2 vortech's on full power 24/7. i also have a UV filter.
i'm surprised i've been getting cyano--but it's really only been happening since i started using natural sea water. bizarre, but it seems like that *could* be the culprit.

i'm wondering if there is a benefit to trimming back chaeto. as long as water is flowing through the fuge without any problems, is there a reason to trim it back? mine is usually pretty packed, but i just trimmed it back like crazy today.

thanks again!

 

[rkelman]

I wouldn't be surprised if the sea water is the culprit..

I think there is an advantage to trimming the chaeto.It gives it room to grow. If its growing its taking up nitrates.