Secret to crystal clear tanks

[AL ur Pal]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who really appreciates a spotless tank with amazing corals. No algae in the silicone, sparkling white sand. For those of you who take pride in having one of these tanks, share with us the secrets to your success.

R/O water?
Phosphate media?
Hourly magnet cleaning?
Finding Nemo laser leaning device?

I would assume that a mature tank with low nutrients really helps out.

Thanks all,

Alex

 

[spleify]

Low nutrients
Water changes
Granular Activated Carbon through a reactor.

Just a few I can think of right off the top of my head.

 

[Laddy]

Corse grain sand helps as well.......especially if you have a tenacious pair of ocellaris trying to breed every ten to fifteen days.

.......oh ya, and walk by the tank to go out on the patio, swipe the glass with the mag float..........walk by the tank to grab the remote control, swipe the tank with the mag float.........walk by the tank to see if its raining outside, swipe the tank with the mag float.

 

[Deputy1234]

The main requirement is low nutrients. To obtain low nutrients can vary depending on how you would like to set up your tank. Once that is in order a proper “regular” maintenance is required.

I for one use:
A Phosphate reactor with phosphate media
Another reactor with carbon
A good skimmer
A RDSB
A good cleanup crew
Good water flow
Regular maintenance â€"œ clean the glass every 2 or 3 days. And vacuum the sand once a week during water changes. Also, I try not to over feed.

If you have to clean your glass every hour then there is something that is not balance in your tank.

 

[Anemonebuff]

I am pretty anal and I cannot keep the coralline away from the silicone.

 

[AL ur Pal]

Has anyone ever used a very fine steel wool before? like size 0000? I've heard it doesn't scratch glass. Sounds like it could be an alternative to razor blades in some applications.

 

[PAZE]

Steel wool rusts, so you could only use it once, I would not recomend it.

 

[THE ROOK]

It also may have some type of anti-corrosive oil on it.

 

[rcranf1]

what do you use to vacume your sand so that all the sand does not end up in the bucket

 

[snorvich]

For coraline, try Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean. Works well on most kinds of algae.

 

[slakker187]

rcranf1- if you pinch the hose with your fingers half way down you can control the flow so sand does'nt end up in the bucket.

 

[ireefn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14813803#post14813803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
For coraline, try Magic Eraser from Mr. Clean. Works well on most kinds of algae.

Have you tried this in your tank? I was afraid these would have a chemical or something in them.

 

[ande]

I haven't used Mr. Clean Erasers but I do use the Target knock off brand: "clean-up erasers." It's my new favorite cleaning tool. Tried it for 8 weeks in my mantis/LPS/softy tank with no problems. Recently (2 weeks ago) started using it in my 125 full reef tank; so far no problems. I especially like it for a quick and dirty way to clean powerheads.

 

[AmatureReefer]

Good question and great answers. I like the info guys, I learned allot.

 

[rcranf1]

ok did not think of that thanks

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14813865#post14813865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by slakker187
rcranf1- if you pinch the hose with your fingers half way down you can control the flow so sand does'nt end up in the bucket.

 

[cwegescheide]

Also along with Low nutrients/good skimmer/carbon/Water Changes I also like the cleaning effect that Zeovit ZeoZyme and Coral Snow has. After you dose it the water gets very cloudy for about 1/2 hour or so. Then after it dissapates the water is incredibly clear.

 

[Bruno3047]

Wet skimming works great for me. I put 1.010 SG water in my 6 gallon ATO and wet skim out about 2 gallons per week. The full ATO is good for about 10 days before it needs to be refilled. My tank's SG stays at aound 1.024-1.025. The skim is watery and a dark brown.

I figure this gives me the equivalent of around a 30 - 35% water change/month, minimum, in a 60 gallon tank. Then, when you take into account that the water being drawn out is pure crap, I figure that percentage of water change to be as much as the equivalent of around 50%/month, easy.

Keeps my tank crystal-clear.

 

[cornhusker85]

I put a sock filter on my overflow to my sump and I was amazed at how clean my water looks now.

 

[iiiiiiivvvivii]

I put a sock filter on my overflow to my sump and I was amazed at how clean my water looks now.

How fine and how often do you rinse it?

 

[mat167]

Rinse it as often as possible, once a day if necessary. 100um or 200um work ok.