drummereef's 180g in-wall build

[drummereef]

That last picture is just classic.

:lol: Yeah that's gross isn't it...

Wow - isnt crazy that just some live rock and a tang can produce all of that skimmate?! Not sure if you have any other critters but there's not much to product all of that. Wow.

The current bio load is a yellow tang, lyretail anthias, cleaner shrimp, and a snail or two. I agree it's a lot of gunk for just a couple fish. But, I've been feeding Rod's Food which is really oily. Lately I've been picking out the larger pieces and direct feeding the anthias with a baster (or my hands)as to not increase excess nutrient. It's amazing how fast Rod's Food will kill the skimmer head.

 

[Vlado4x4]

Excess in feeding and light hours produce the hair algae.
Maybe that´s the problem you are having.

 

[drummereef]

Excess in feeding and light hours produce the hair algae.
Maybe that´s the problem you are having.

I believe phosphates are to blame for most algae problems. Mine is just from the initial cycle.

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


6 Mexican Turbos. Little snail buddies, work your algae eating magic!

 

[chrishet]

Go get em boys!

 

[drummereef]

Go get em boys!

You tell 'em Chris! :rollface:

 

[drummereef]

Amazing! In just a couple hours there are 6" bare spots on the overflows where the Turbos have left their trail of destruction! Woohoo! :beer:

 

[psteeleb]

Amazing! In just a couple hours there are 6" bare spots on the overflows where the Turbos have left their trail of destruction! Woohoo! :beer:

there is one of those "priceless" quotes in here someplace

 

[drummereef]

there is one of those "priceless" quotes in here someplace

Indeed!

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


The Turbo snails are doing a good job cleaning up the algae. They have a long way to go but are mowing the stuff down quite well. I might pick up a couple more this week if I have time. Here's a couple pics to show you the progress. Sorry the image quality isn't the best on these...

BEFORE

AFTER

 

[cromedogg33]

I would go with turbos. If you get a handful it shouldn't take them long to mow it down.

:wavehand:

Have you figured out what is leeching phosphates or are you just thinking it's directly connected to your cycle?

 

[Taqpol]

Glad the turbos are doing the job! Melev always used to espouse the importance of having enough cows (snails) to graze down the grass (algae). I think all systems will have a little bit of algae growing at all times, and snails keep it in check.


Also, pictures are back up on my thread!

 

[lurshy]

It took the better part of two work days, but I have read through this enitre thread.

There must be an echo in here, but once again, well done, inspirational, educational, and amazingly detailed.

I have taken a break for the last two years after running a 75 mixed reef (grew up from a FOWLR) for about 7 years. And I now have the bug again and am researching for a similar inwall in den - but with fish room in garage.

Best of luck, and may there be a TOTM in your future.

- Michael

 

[psteeleb]

green hair algea is a normal cycle for new set ups (one of many that generaly happen over the first year).

there was a great post on the first year cycles (e.g. bacteria, algeas, critters); I'll see if I can find it

 

[drummereef]

:wavehand:

Have you figured out what is leeching phosphates or are you just thinking it's directly connected to your cycle?

I think the algae is directly linked to cycling. I don't see any evidence that would substantiate phosphate leaching, not even in the rock. If there was I would have had this issue as soon as the rock got wet I would think. The old Marco Fiji rock was chocked full of gross stuff but the rock I used was bleach clean.

Glad the turbos are doing the job! Melev always used to espouse the importance of having enough cows (snails) to graze down the grass (algae). I think all systems will have a little bit of algae growing at all times, and snails keep it in check.

Agree. I just hope the nitrates don't go through the roof because of all the snail poop! :lol: Sweet, I'll check out the pics today.


Also, pictures are back up on my thread!

It took the better part of two work days, but I have read through this enitre thread.

There must be an echo in here, but once again, well done, inspirational, educational, and amazingly detailed.

I have taken a break for the last two years after running a 75 mixed reef (grew up from a FOWLR) for about 7 years. And I now have the bug again and am researching for a similar inwall in den - but with fish room in garage.

Best of luck, and may there be a TOTM in your future.

- Michael

Thanks so much for the kind words Michael.

green hair algea is a normal cycle for new set ups (one of many that generaly happen over the first year).

there was a great post on the first year cycles (e.g. bacteria, algeas, critters); I'll see if I can find it

Awesome Pete, thanks. I agree too it's just the initial algae cycle. Mine seems to be brown hair algae but I presume its on in the same as gha.

 

[drummereef]

UPDATE:


I'm going to do a couple of updates this week to the system. I will be upgrading the existing manifold valves to GF (Georg Fischer) ball valves. They are much easier to operate and dial in than the valves I'm currently using. I'm doing this to prepare for the biopellet reactor that is also coming this week. Jon at Warner Marine sent me a liter of his new biopellets so I'm really excited to get it up and running. :bounce1::

There are a lot of threads but haven't been a lot of detailed reviews of pellets from individual users so I plan on doing my best to review the progress for everyone. So.... Request what you would like me to do as I incorporate the pellets on my system. Here's a short list...

1. I will add 1/4 the recommended amount per week until I'm running 1 Liter in the reactor.
2. Weekly/Bi Weekly Nitrate and Phosphate tests will be taken with Salifert Test Kits.
3. No other inhabitants will be added so feeding will remain on the same schedule. Except maybe for a couple snails.
4. FTS will be taken Weekly/Bi Weekly to show the progress of algae reduction.


Any other suggestions would be appreciated and helpful.

 

[reeferbro0622]

No suggestions, just like to compliment on your whole build here. It was done very patiently and that will pay off, dont worry about that algae my tank is a year old and about 2 weeks ago I got hit with a brown algae wave!!! It all happens with time and pays off.

I bought biopellets (didnt know warner marine was giving them out!? haha jp) and am following along!

JT

 

[drummereef]

No suggestions, just like to compliment on your whole build here. It was done very patiently and that will pay off, dont worry about that algae my tank is a year old and about 2 weeks ago I got hit with a brown algae wave!!! It all happens with time and pays off.

I bought biopellets (didnt know warner marine was giving them out!? haha jp) and am following along!

JT

Thank you JT. I should have clarified, Jon sent me some but at a nice little discount. I wouldn't expect him to give handouts - especially to a nobody like me. Jon is a great guy and it goes without saying Warner Marine is a stand up company. :thumbsup:

 

[reeferbro0622]

Haha never shopped there, gonna have to check it on out - thanks

JT

 

[Tyrenlds]

UPDATE:
The great news is my nitrates are less than 1 ppm as of tonight. :beer: Tested with both Salifert and API kits.

With NO3 at less than 1.0ppm you are not going to see any noticeable effect from carbon dosing.