Hi, I'm new to reef central but I wouldn't say that I'm totally new to the hobby. My tank has been running for 2 years now and has seen a lot of changes.
Last year I decided to upgrade my lighting from a single 65w PC to a 150w double ended MH. Things were ok for awhile and then I just had algae everywhere. After switching back to the old PC light things are somewhat under control, but I would like to go back to the stronger light.
Some background info:
29 Gallon Tank
RO/DI water from the pet store.
2 Fish (coris wrasse, and royal gramma) The banggai cardinal is no longer with us.
A few snails, maybe 2-3 turbo snails, at least 4 nassarius, and one cleaner shrimp.
Somewhat deep sand bed, 4inches in some places, but not overall.
And at least 25lbs of live rock if not more.
No sump, no mechanical filtration. I do have an Aqua C remora skimmer though. 2 maxijet 900 powerheads.
Tank Temp stays at 81, pH stays over 8.0.
I really don't like using test kits because I feel that usually I can't alter the results other than by doing water changes; however, I did some tests and the only thing that seemed out of order was 2mgs of phosphate.
Here are some pictures of the horror that is my tank.
Full view of 29 gallon. Yes that is a piece of slate as well as a clay pot and some other plastic cave from my freshwater days.
I would like to save these and perhaps get them green again.
Probably the worst rock in my tank, but since it seems to have some types of unknown to me macro algae growing on it as well I think it could be beneficial.
The only other coral in my tank, it has bits of algae around it as well. I believe that might be a tiny bit of chaeto behind it.
Any ideas or suggestions? Keep in mind I am on a budget. I know theres no simple single solution but I would just like my tank to be great one day.
Last year I decided to upgrade my lighting from a single 65w PC to a 150w double ended MH. Things were ok for awhile and then I just had algae everywhere. After switching back to the old PC light things are somewhat under control, but I would like to go back to the stronger light.
Some background info:
29 Gallon Tank
RO/DI water from the pet store.
2 Fish (coris wrasse, and royal gramma) The banggai cardinal is no longer with us.
A few snails, maybe 2-3 turbo snails, at least 4 nassarius, and one cleaner shrimp.
Somewhat deep sand bed, 4inches in some places, but not overall.
And at least 25lbs of live rock if not more.
No sump, no mechanical filtration. I do have an Aqua C remora skimmer though. 2 maxijet 900 powerheads.
Tank Temp stays at 81, pH stays over 8.0.
I really don't like using test kits because I feel that usually I can't alter the results other than by doing water changes; however, I did some tests and the only thing that seemed out of order was 2mgs of phosphate.
Here are some pictures of the horror that is my tank.
Full view of 29 gallon. Yes that is a piece of slate as well as a clay pot and some other plastic cave from my freshwater days.
I would like to save these and perhaps get them green again.
Probably the worst rock in my tank, but since it seems to have some types of unknown to me macro algae growing on it as well I think it could be beneficial.
The only other coral in my tank, it has bits of algae around it as well. I believe that might be a tiny bit of chaeto behind it.
Any ideas or suggestions? Keep in mind I am on a budget. I know theres no simple single solution but I would just like my tank to be great one day.
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