I did tons of research before I got into this. (Two years of reading various things online) In six months I have had so many problems I feel like throwing my tank away. I just had to throw away a trumpet coral since it had cotton algae all over and nothing was working to get rid of it. I just noticed some cotton algae on some of my rock. Add that to the list of Cyano, Ich, bubble algae, hair algae and a dead clam and I just feel like giving up. I bought all really good equipment and spent over 5k for my 90 gallon just to get set up. Now I read I have phospates, I am gonna test later,. How to I lower phospates?? Any help is much appreciated at this point I really feel like tossing it all away.
Anyone else frustrated?
- Thread starter jvr1102
- Start date
stevelkaneval
New member
do you use ro water, do you have a skimmer? post some pics of your setup.
reefergeorge
New member
Phosphates is the easy one. Get a reactor. There like $40.
I gave up and did a total tear down on my nano once, because of bubble algae taking over everything.
I also would have sold my whole 90 setup for $50 if anyone would have been around after during the week when I was sick, everything I touched spilled on the floor, my skimmer started leaking, and I burned up a pump. So yes it is frustrating, but so rewarding.
I gave up and did a total tear down on my nano once, because of bubble algae taking over everything.
I also would have sold my whole 90 setup for $50 if anyone would have been around after during the week when I was sick, everything I touched spilled on the floor, my skimmer started leaking, and I burned up a pump. So yes it is frustrating, but so rewarding.
how longs the tank been running? phosphates are coming from your make up water or the original water to start the tank and / or over feeding. algae growing from the phosphates or running the lights to long. sorry 6 months running sometimes it takes a couple of months just to break in and you will go through algae problems.lower phosphates there is pads and other additives to lower them BUT FIRST u MUST find out whats causing them then work from there test your make up water as well for phosphates
Aquarist007
New member
what's your flow rate like--it should be 10-20 times the tank gph within the tank and 5-10 times through the sump and or match the rate of your skimmer in gph.
Alot of what your reporting sounds like flow issues
Alot of what your reporting sounds like flow issues
spike78
New member
All of what you are reporting besides the Ich and dead clam sounds like typical new tank cycling. Your tank is only 6 months old! These cycles are to be expected.
As far as the Ich is concerned, it's real easy to prevent that...QT! The tank is also very young to support clams and mortality in a young tank is somewhat common.
Be patient and don't give up!
As far as the Ich is concerned, it's real easy to prevent that...QT! The tank is also very young to support clams and mortality in a young tank is somewhat common.
Be patient and don't give up!
uscharalph
New member
Hang in there. Six months is not a long time. What is your water source?
jamiep
New member
Ok so you started in August last year. I started in may - I know how you feel with cyano everywhere and problem after problem and you always wish you'd done everything differently! I was at that point until about a month ago! All of a sudden my whole tank cleared up! No cayno, algae or anything! Water looks crystal and livestock is happy! Its just the first couple of months - I've heard other reports like this, you tank one day will just clear up, look pristine, and you'll love it suddenly!
Emc2
New member
There's a steep learning curve, especially with all the misinformation out there. I was extremely frustrated with my first freshwater planted tank. It's still frustrating occasionally but that's part of the challenge. I like to read a lot also but reading will only take me so far. Application, mistakes and time are where I gain better understanding.
BlazedDiamonds
New member
If you are buying r/o water from lfs, be careful and test THEIR water. My lfs water and our city water contains AMMONIA..........ugh! Now I test every water from every source before I use it.
Aquarist007
New member
where???? there is only one post made when the thread was started--no listing of pumps or flow rates
Aquarist007
New member
jvr1102--are you still with us here?
Sorry guys had work. I do have 4X maxijet 1200 for my powerheads. I use Ro/DI water and I do test it...I have a system hooked up to my water in the house. I have some chaeto in the refugium for two months now 24/7 lighting in there. I have 100 lbs of fiji rock, live sand 80 lbs i believe. I change 15% water every 10-14 days. All my tests are coming back ok however I don't have a phospate test yet...today. T5 lighting turn lights on at 12 pm off at 10 pm. Anything i misssed?
