How to go BB
- Thread starter Fcataudo
- Start date
tkeracer619
New member
I would assume you just remove the sand slowly. But why.
Fcataudo
New member
Reason being I am sick of fighting Hair Algae. I have zero Nitrates/Phosphates run phosban/Carbon. All other parameters are in range. But I still have a hair algae problem and the color on my SPS is not where it should be. I have read that with the right flow BB tanks don't allow any Detritus to settle and take hold in the tank.
remove everything, store in buckets, vacuum and shovel out all sand, use a filter sock to catch all the sand from the inevitable sandstorm.
Also, be sure to give all your live rock a really good shake in a some SW before putting it back in the tank. There is always a ton a sand in the rocks.
You won't get all the sand but this way you will get most of it, then as it settles again just siphon it out with a hose. I rubberband it to a long wooden dowel.
Also, be sure to give all your live rock a really good shake in a some SW before putting it back in the tank. There is always a ton a sand in the rocks.
You won't get all the sand but this way you will get most of it, then as it settles again just siphon it out with a hose. I rubberband it to a long wooden dowel.
Waxxiemann
New member
I was thinking about doing this as well but it just seems like a HUGE job. Maybe somthing to do over a weekend or somthing.
Good lcuk!
Good lcuk!
Andrew
Active member
I put all of my livestock, liverock, corals, and everything into sperate holding tanks. I took out as much water as I could to save. Than I sucked out the sandbed with a shot-vac and put the starboard in. I also cleaned the glass really good and the rock to clean it up some. Than I put the water back in. ( not the fish or corals ) and added maybe 15 more gallons to make up for the water lost. Than once the water levels check out the fish and the corals were added.
I think if your dealing with a mature tank with plenty of live rock, your tank will only go into a really short cycle caused by stirring everything up.
I like the above idea about removing as much water as possible then sucking everything out
Also remember to seal around the edges of your starboard, you don't want anything to get under there. You'll never get it out.
I like the above idea about removing as much water as possible then sucking everything out
Also remember to seal around the edges of your starboard, you don't want anything to get under there. You'll never get it out.
RichConley
New member
If you have a hair algae problem, the DSB is not the issue.
Poor husbandry/Poor Skimming/Lack of flow are.
Barebottom is not a panacea.
Fcataudo
New member
That is a bold statement. I have 30x flow in the tank I skim wet and also do water changes with RO/DI water. I have also had a company come out and check all my parameters to confirm that I am not misreading or mis-using text kits. They all return the same thing, everything is where it should, be no fluctuations either. My only thougt is the DSB is leaching back into the system. I have great growth on my SPS however, like I said color is not optimal and I have hair algae, which according to everyone should only be growing if Nitrates/phosphates are in the system and or old bulbs. Of which, I have elimintated all these issues from thye equation. So DSB is final on my list. If you have another suggestion do share. Other then the famous it must be you husbandry I would appreciate it.
RichConley
New member
30x flow, IMO, is absolute minimum for an SPS tank, and Barebottom, it should be 50-60x or higher. As to test kits, the reason they read 0 is because the algae is using the available nitrate/phosphate. Having algae means you have a phosphate problem. I dont buy the old bulbs thing.
Is hair algae everywhere, or is it growing in specific places? If you pull it out, does it grow back only in those places? What do you have for a skimmer? How much skimmate are you pulling out?
Is hair algae everywhere, or is it growing in specific places? If you pull it out, does it grow back only in those places? What do you have for a skimmer? How much skimmate are you pulling out?
staninct
Zoanthid/SPS Killer
I'm going BB in my 20g nano, i have insane hair algae problems too. Skim wet, don't overfeed, new bulbs. I think that the DSB may be leaching back into the system as you mentioned. the sand is acting like a sponge for detritus and PO4. We'll soon see. Must be our darn CT water!
ducati1212
Member
I'm no expert so feel free to ignore this.
-But taking your sand out might help with hair algae
-and taking your fish out will help control ich
-taking your rock out can reduce bubble algae and hair algae
-never adding anything to your tank will reduce the risk of inroducing stuff
then your left with a bowl of water. and if you take the water out you reduce the chance of having a leak and wrecking your floor. Problem solved.
I have hair algae and bubble algae. they come and go. Never bother me in fact finding ways to get rid of it is somewhat amusing. 1/2 the fun of a tank is the challenge of the tank. Otherwise I could hang up a picture.
-But taking your sand out might help with hair algae
-and taking your fish out will help control ich
-taking your rock out can reduce bubble algae and hair algae
-never adding anything to your tank will reduce the risk of inroducing stuff
then your left with a bowl of water. and if you take the water out you reduce the chance of having a leak and wrecking your floor. Problem solved.
I have hair algae and bubble algae. they come and go. Never bother me in fact finding ways to get rid of it is somewhat amusing. 1/2 the fun of a tank is the challenge of the tank. Otherwise I could hang up a picture.
Fcataudo
New member
I was going to upgrade flow with the BB. I pull the Hair Algae and it gows back in the same place and only where it was pulled. Skimmate is about 1 cup every 2 days. I use an ASM 3 with gate valve mod to dial it in. I run Rowa also. I understand about the Algae using the nutrients. however I always ran zero even before I had Hair Algae. Hair alga popped up when I started using oceanic sea salt. I have stopped and it has been looking like it has slowed. What are your thoughts with this information?
RichConley
New member
If its only growing in those spots, then those spots are the problem. It could be not enough localized flow, so things are settling there, it could be that your rocks are full of crud, etc.
I just think you'll get better returns from upping flow and using your turkey baster more often than you will from going BB.
I dont use oceanic salt, and havent, so I'm not really sure about it, although I do remember there being some problems a while back.
I just think you'll get better returns from upping flow and using your turkey baster more often than you will from going BB.
I dont use oceanic salt, and havent, so I'm not really sure about it, although I do remember there being some problems a while back.
