My Glassboxreef

[plyle02]

How much bio media do you think I need?

Hey man,
Think of it like adding several pounds of live rock, or seeded rock, and allowing the surface area to benefit you in terms of biological capacity. In short, there really is no specific amount of media to add, as it just expands the surface area, however too much might make the tank too efficient.(euro standard 1-2 liters media per 100 liters system water) Take these medias, shrink them down, as they are far more porous thank rock, it is essentially accomplishing the same thing. In the past, we loaded our tanks with rock, and I mean lots of rock, some also used a DSB, and along side Berlin method, these type of tanks ran very well. Fast forward.... Today, many like the appearance of little rock, and lots of fish. IMO, biological media helps to give you the same advantage in terms of biological capacity and balance. I agree too with statements Matt made regarding chaeto efficiency. Also, have seen systems where chaeto is used ahead of skimmer, to me this is counter productive, as it clogs with debris and detritus, whereas the skimmer is designed for that removal. Then, if installed after the skimmer, the chaeto further breaks down nutrients and polishes the water. Just my thoughts, not sure how your are employing chaeto, but thought worth mentioning I see no harm in using biological media and chaeto, however, at some point I think the nutrients will not allow for sustainable growth of algaes, that is the idea in the aquarium, lol Cheers

 

[Pife]

Hey man,
Think of it like adding several pounds of live rock, or seeded rock, and allowing the surface area to benefit you in terms of biological capacity. In short, there really is no specific amount of media to add, as it just expands the surface area, however too much might make the tank too efficient.(euro standard 1-2 liters media per 100 liters system water) Take these medias, shrink them down, as they are far more porous thank rock, it is essentially accomplishing the same thing. In the past, we loaded our tanks with rock, and I mean lots of rock, some also used a DSB, and along side Berlin method, these type of tanks ran very well. Fast forward.... Today, many like the appearance of little rock, and lots of fish. IMO, biological media helps to give you the same advantage in terms of biological capacity and balance. I agree too with statements Matt made regarding chaeto efficiency. Also, have seen systems where chaeto is used ahead of skimmer, to me this is counter productive, as it clogs with debris and detritus, whereas the skimmer is designed for that removal. Then, if installed after the skimmer, the chaeto further breaks down nutrients and polishes the water. Just my thoughts, not sure how your are employing chaeto, but thought worth mentioning I see no harm in using biological media and chaeto, however, at some point I think the nutrients will not allow for sustainable growth of algaes, that is the idea in the aquarium, lol Cheers

So I have 350 gallons of water and 600 lbs of rock 25l of matrix and 15l of siporax, and one marine pure block. I thought I had enough but maybe I don't? I do run my cheato after my skimmer in its on little area.

My system has worked well in the past I just had major coral die off in December because of my apex programming. I've always had an issue with higher nitrates and low po4 since the beginning.

 

[Pife]

On many occasions I have watched systems using cheato- my own included- have cyano break out and immediately have the cheato decline. After treating for cyano with one of the proven products on the market, the cheato rebounds nicely and begins to control nutrients again.
I think cyano is a strong competitor for the same nutrients and elements that cheato uses...
and I have to say, I have really never seen ill effects from using a cyano killing product..

I have ordered chemi clean and am planning on using it later this week. I have already filled a reactor with carbon to run after its use. A water change will be ready and waiting too.

 

[cFloor]

Tank is looking good! Those fish pics are awesome

 

[plyle02]

So I have 350 gallons of water and 600 lbs of rock 25l of matrix and 15l of siporax, and one marine pure block. I thought I had enough but maybe I don't? I do run my cheato after my skimmer in its on little area.

My system has worked well in the past I just had major coral die off in December because of my apex programming. I've always had an issue with higher nitrates and low po4 since the beginning.

Well that is a lot of biological capacity, sorry Brandon, did not know the full grasp of your system. Perhaps bacteria additions would help bring balance, I have been a big user of many c-source programs, most successfully when doing both bacteria and carbon source. Just a thought, I love the scape, the system is beautiful, and your corals are beginning to take off. Your fish collection also is stellar! I suspect that things are going to take off, great job, and look forward to your progression

 

[Pife]

Well that is a lot of biological capacity, sorry Brandon, did not know the full grasp of your system. Perhaps bacteria additions would help bring balance, I have been a big user of many c-source programs, most successfully when doing both bacteria and carbon source. Just a thought, I love the scape, the system is beautiful, and your corals are beginning to take off. Your fish collection also is stellar! I suspect that things are going to take off, great job, and look forward to your progression

So I've added different bacteria blends over the years. Right now I'm doing biodigest and I don't think it's doing anything. I'm going to go back to what I had the best luck with and that is microbacter7. I ordered a gallon of it so I should have enough. Any bacteria that you like?

 

[plyle02]

So I've added different bacteria blends over the years. Right now I'm doing biodigest and I don't think it's doing anything. I'm going to go back to what I had the best luck with and that is microbacter7. I ordered a gallon of it so I should have enough. Any bacteria that you like?

Hi Brandon,
I have used pretty much all of them, and prefer Aquaforest as I have had great success with their method. I use both the Pro Bio S(Daily), and Bio S(Weekly post water change). Pro Bio S is a denitrifying bacteria, and Bio S is a nitrifying bacteria. I also like Zeovit's Bak, I think it too is very concentrated, like AF. I have also used SunnyX method, Microbacter7 and vodka. I find it to be decent, but more diluted. I like knowing that refrigeration is required for storage, it tells me that there are live bacterias present. I have also used BioDigest, not a fan, never really saw the changes other programs bring.

For the cyano, if you want to wipe out, I see no harm in using Boyd's Chemi Clean Red Cyano remover, as it does not harm beneficial bacteria. After, I would begin use of which ever bacteria you choose to use, assuming you are going to dose carbon source. If not, there is really no need for bacteria dosing, as the system will regulate. I simply follow what the instructions say, always go on the less side of dosing anything, and keep a watchful eye on any looming algae. You can also look into Dr. Tim's Wasteaway, that stuff is pretty good too. Best of luck, either way, your tank will eventually move through this cycle, but looks like things are already moving positively. I am looking forward to seeing massive colonies perched on that cool scape

 

[Pife]

I'm about to add the chemi clean. I have carbon already loaded into a reactor and a water change made up and waiting. I am going to have two wooden air stones going in my sump.

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[reefmutt]

I'm about to add the chemi clean. I have carbon already loaded into a reactor and a water change made up and waiting. I am going to have two wooden air stones going in my sump.

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Good luck. The stuff works great. Don't jump the gun on the carbon and wc.. give the chemi clean a couple days to do its job..
And keep an eye on those air stones. Your sump will get real sudsy!

 

[Pife]

Good luck. The stuff works great. Don't jump the gun on the carbon and wc.. give the chemi clean a couple days to do its job..
And keep an eye on those air stones. Your sump will get real sudsy!

I hope my sump doesn't get too bubbly. I kinda dumped it in and went to work....

 

[Pife]

I didn't get much time to view my tank yesterday to see if the treatment is having any effects. My son turned 2 and we had a fish club meeting.

 

[codydemmel4]

I used chemi clean recently too, worked amazing. My skimmer however was overflowing for 1 week even with carbon and 2 20% water changes, finally is back to normal now.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Does Chemiclean solve the cyano problem once and for all, or do you have to use it everytime cyano appear?

 

[Pife]

Does Chemiclean solve the cyano problem once and for all, or do you have to use it everytime cyano appear?

This isn't something I know the answer to. Cyano is a new beast for me as I've never had it too bad. It's always been in the lower flow areas and kept to itself.

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[Pife]

I used chemi clean recently too, worked amazing. My skimmer however was overflowing for 1 week even with carbon and 2 20% water changes, finally is back to normal now.

I'm wondering if I didn't dose enough. My skimmer is running all the way open and I have the overflow going right back to the tank. Where I have the air stones installed isn't creating too much foam either. I guess time will tell.

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[plyle02]

I'm wondering if I didn't dose enough. My skimmer is running all the way open and I have the overflow going right back to the tank. Where I have the air stones installed isn't creating too much foam either. I guess time will tell.

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Hey Brandon,
I would not focus on the skimmer, the air stone will do it's job. As Matt mentioned, let it do it's thing for a couple of days. Keep an eye on Alk, make sure you tweak program, as corals may not have normal uptake. After 48 hours, I would do a larger than normal water change, change carbon and gfo. Start the skimmer, likely it will go nutz. That's fine, just tune it so that it does not overflow. Within hours, the skimmer should settle in. Cyano should be gone Best of luck man!

 

[Pife]

Thanks Perry, I'll do that. My corals are looking great with PE. I'd say 75 percent of the cyanobacteria is gone! Woot Woot! You can see the micro bubbles from the air stones.

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[samm]

Chemi clean is just a band aid , you need to take care of the issue that's causing it .

 

[Pife]

Chemi clean is just a band aid , you need to take care of the issue that's causing it .

You have shared a great insight! What is causing the cyanobacteria to proliferate in my system?

Alk 7.8
Calcium 425
Mag 1350
Nitrate 20
Po4. 02
Salinity 1.026
Temp 79


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[plyle02]

You have shared a great insight! What is causing the cyanobacteria to proliferate in my system?

Alk 7.8
Calcium 425
Mag 1350
Nitrate 20
Po4. 02
Salinity 1.026
Temp 79


Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Hi Brandon, this statement can be true, but also false. This time of year, we typically open windows, especially here in FL It can be that things in the air may find their way in to our homes to cause these blooms, and can be seasonal. It can also be that aersols or other things in the air are introduced to the tank. If you are not running GAC, I would do so, this could help in case something incidental occurs without your knowledge from a chemical standpoint. Things looking great, and realize that with Cyano, there sometimes is no answer, you can have perfect parameters, and still have this stuff. Cheers