organic particles

[Frostyfishman]

I noticed my tank is full of what I believe to be organic particles. I suspect it is from feeding my kole tang. He has trouble eating the algae strips and so he makes a mess. How do I get all these little particles out of the water column? It looks awful. I just threw a HOB freshwater filter on it to try and trap some of it. What are some other solutions? Thanks in advance!:thumbsup:

 

[Deinonych]

If it really bothers you, you can run filter socks to trap the particles the skimmer doesn't remove (assuming you are running a skimmer). Personally, particles in the water don't bother me. If you've ever been on a wild reef, you'll note that there are all sorts of particles suspended in the water.

 

[cloak]

I'm assuming your attaching the Nori to a veggie clip or perhaps a piece of live rock? If so, instead of doing this just cut the Nori into small 1/8" x 1/8" pieces first. Soak these in a cup of water for a few minutes to soften them up and then basically feed them like you would flake food. If your seeing these pieces hit the ground or go over the falls your feeding too much at a time. Dial it back a little. GL.

 

[Frostyfishman]

I'm assuming your attaching the Nori to a veggie clip or perhaps a piece of live rock? If so, instead of doing this just cut the Nori into small 1/8" x 1/8" pieces first. Soak these in a cup of water for a few minutes to soften them up and then basically feed them like you would flake food. If your seeing these pieces hit the ground or go over the falls your feeding too much at a time. Dial it back a little. GL.

This is a good idea i'm just not sure that the kole tang would go for it. I will try it tho.

 

[Frostyfishman]

If it really bothers you, you can run filter socks to trap the particles the skimmer doesn't remove (assuming you are running a skimmer). Personally, particles in the water don't bother me. If you've ever been on a wild reef, you'll note that there are all sorts of particles suspended in the water.

Usually it doesn't bother me it was just a lot of particles. I may have over fed him. This kole tang can be a bit tricky to feed. He just started excepting food from the clip so I am on a campaign to fatten him up.

 

[Frostyfishman]

Does anyone have any other ideas on what else or how else I might feed this Kole Tang? My current technique is to take the seaweed and fold it up real tight, attach it to a clip, and then put the clip under the sand with the seaweed poking out so he can graze. He just pulls pieces off and some of it floats around the tank. I'd say he eats 75% of it. He ignores sinking pellets.

 

[Deinonych]

Usually it doesn't bother me it was just a lot of particles. I may have over fed him. This kole tang can be a bit tricky to feed. He just started excepting food from the clip so I am on a campaign to fatten him up.

If you don't have a lot of algae for him to graze on, you might try the New Era Grazing Rings. They may not solve your particle issue, but they are a great way to get tangs to feed, as they mimic their natural feeding habit. My Kole went nuts for them when he was in QT.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DI239UA

 

[Frostyfishman]

The 1/8th by 1/8th strips of algae method worked to feed my tank and I stick the freshwater filter in after I feed the tang and it takes up the remaining particles after a while. So all problems are resolved. Thanks for all the information folks!