Secret to crystal clear tanks

[macreefster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14869481#post14869481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
+1

Just keep it as simple and as natural as possible. Man has often tried to improve on nature but you cant improve upon perfection.

sonny, you must have talking to my wife...LOL.

i totally agree with the KISS method though. simple systems with quality equipment is hard to beat. i resisted dosing vodka for so long as i didnt wanted to keep things as simple as possible, but in reality its a very simple concept and is working very well so far.

 

[AL ur Pal]

So nobody mentioned mangroves. I love the way they look in their own mini "mangrove swamp" tank. Sadly, I took mine down when I went away for school. Only a few people mentioned macro algae as well... All this talk about simple natural tanks. Does anyone run a tank with just water movement and use LR and stuff growing in the tank for filtration?

 

[chrisqueenz]

I just put mangrove in my sump, lets see how it goes!

 

[jessicaparker]

this thread is gold!

 

[mille239]

this thread is gold!

did you mean gold or old? :lolspin:

 

[RVANANO]

I use a large skimmer, special grade sand, regular water changes, daily 3 sided mag cleaning and once-twice a week razor clean on the back glass. Everytime I clean the tank, I run my finger up and down the silicone which keeps it clean if you do it consistently. I also have a heft clean up crew and a sand sifting star. My fuge seems to help too. Lots of cheato in there.

 

[ejcatmul]

I will have to think about that, sounds like a similar idea I read about

 

[sland]

I skim the heck out of the tank, use live rock and have a ton of flow and no complaints, everything growing exceptionally and water always crystal clear, oh and the weekly water changes, plus a very large CUC.

 

[KyleO]

A good skimmer is the most important piece of the puzzle as most everybody agrees. I have crystal clear water. I do run Ozone but am not convinced at all that is the reason for the amazing clarity. I think my clarity has much more to do with the filter sock in the sump and the carbon reactor I use on the Ozone system.

My proof is that when the ORP threshold is reached the Ozone generator turns off. I have seen it off for days until the ORP falls below accepted limits with no detectable change in water clarity.

I don't change my carbon often enough, and notice a slight tint to the water (this is with Ozone running), but when I do change the carbon, there is a marked difference in clarity the next day. I can also see a slight difference in clarity after changing the filter sock.

Oh yeah and I do dose Vodka........