I have had my tank up and running for about 9 months now and in these past 2 months i have had a rediculous Detritus problem. And im SOOOOOO tired of people saying why i your tank so cloudy. And i hate looking at it but i have put so much money into my tank, and this just feels like it is holding me back. Any way to help get rid of it. I got a diamond spot goby and he has helped a lot turning up the sand. But its all over the rocks and in caves now....
detritus problem...need advice
- Thread starter Chester08
- Start date
Blow your rocks on a regular basis with a turkey baster .. that will place the debris on/within the rocks into the water column where your filters/skimmers can help remove.
Before each water change blow the rocks and lightly blow the substrate .. then siphon out the floating debris when your removing the old water.
Make sure you have enough water circulation ... high water flow helps keep debris suspended so it can be filtered/skimmed out of the tank.
Lots of threads/ideas on how to tackle this problem.
Before each water change blow the rocks and lightly blow the substrate .. then siphon out the floating debris when your removing the old water.
Make sure you have enough water circulation ... high water flow helps keep debris suspended so it can be filtered/skimmed out of the tank.
Lots of threads/ideas on how to tackle this problem.
yeah the search engine never works for me always says its busy didnt mean to cover something that has already been discussed. but thanks for the advice in a 30g i have to 600 mj's and a #1 hydro koralia , pirsm protein skimmer, and an empty biowheel running carbon to help surface movement.
Re: detritus problem...need advice
Therein may lay part of the problem. Stirring the sandbed is not a good idea as it impedes its function. As a sandbed ages it becomes a detritus reducing factory. Stirring the bed keeps the natural stratification of the bed from occurring and it is not as effective as it could be. For the time being a cannister filter with a polish cartridge should clear the water column PDQ.
Therein may lay part of the problem. Stirring the sandbed is not a good idea as it impedes its function. As a sandbed ages it becomes a detritus reducing factory. Stirring the bed keeps the natural stratification of the bed from occurring and it is not as effective as it could be. For the time being a cannister filter with a polish cartridge should clear the water column PDQ.
deklin
New member
This strategy would work well if you have heavy flow in your tank to keep the detritus in the water column and a strong skimmer to take it out.
If not, it probably contributes to your problem. Also if you have very fine grain sand the constant stiring will suspend not only detritus but also sand in the water column and contribute to a cloudy look.
drummereef
Team RC
I run a 40g sumpless system myself. I find with systems like ours that vigorous flow to keep detritus suspended in the water column, along with a more efficient skimmer to take the gunk out, I don't have any issues.
I think thats a reasonable approach. The canister filter is an effective method for removing suspended debris especially when you don't have a sump. While the cansiter filter is often considered a nitrate factory that issue can be mitigated with frequent cleaning of the filter media.
Randall_James
Premium Member
I have a home made canister that I fill with filter wool (all of $5 worth).
I went and got a lenght of 6" PVC, 2 caps (1 fixed, the other screw off) and made it about 4' long. I run a Mag9 on the thing and I can run it for about 2 hours and it does a nice job of water polishing.. I can get you photos if you like..
I went and got a lenght of 6" PVC, 2 caps (1 fixed, the other screw off) and made it about 4' long. I run a Mag9 on the thing and I can run it for about 2 hours and it does a nice job of water polishing.. I can get you photos if you like..
I like to use the micro filter cartridges-
Over glass wool or filter socks. They filter out smaller particles and can be cleaned repeatedly by soaking in 1/3 strength bleach or half strength vinegar depending on whether the filter is clogged with algae or aragonite sand. They should last close to a year.
Over glass wool or filter socks. They filter out smaller particles and can be cleaned repeatedly by soaking in 1/3 strength bleach or half strength vinegar depending on whether the filter is clogged with algae or aragonite sand. They should last close to a year.
