Secret to crystal clear......

[Ninja1]

I really want to know how most of you keep the water in your tanks so clean and crystal clear. What would you say is the most important factor that helps you achieve this? Is it the equipment, care or combination?

I'm new to reefing and want to make the best possible choices

I know sumps and skimmers play an important part in the water filtration but what about other things? I'm looking at a vortech mp40 but how much would that contribute to the filtration?

Time to spill your secrets now!

 

[jaharr01]

frequent water changes,lots of live rock,not overfeeding

 

[scuba guy ron]

water changes every 3 weeks and run carbon

 

[lucidheights]

carbon alone will give you amazing clarity

 

[Ninja1]

Carbon- I really haven't read up on that at all. So gald I asked, are you guys referring to those reactors? I'll read into it!

 

[Brwestern]

+1 on carbon...

Also, when I started my tank a week or so ago, filter socks in the sump...pulled out so much sand silt and fine powder.

 

[Brwestern]

Bulk reef supply is one of the best places for reactors etc and carbon.

Shoot me a pm if I can help some more.

 

[Reefahholic]

+ 1 on anything from bulkreefsupply.com AKA BRS. Got to give those guys the plug!

 

[justin_g]

A good skimmer. Everything else that has been mentioned should just be part of routine maintenance. Proper skimming will make a huge difference.

 

[boogerCo]

Carbon- I really haven't read up on that at all. So gald I asked, are you guys referring to those reactors? I'll read into it!

look at bulk reef supply. they have a nice carbon filter that works great. I have the duel unit runing carbon and iron oxide. removes amonia and phosphates. Also get a good RO/DI unit keep fresh water turing and make some good salt water keep them heated so it is there at any time you need to do extra water changes. Also get a good atomatic top off going for your tank. Makes the salinity stable all the time. the only change in salinity will be from leaching of the salt in your sump. Add some cheto to your sump or another plant to remove nutrients that the alge might use up. Keep a good test kit around and check your magnisium calcium alkaline and amoniaand Ph daily. Check for nitrate and nitrite weekly check your RO water for Phosphates, that way you know when you need knew filters. Do small water changes weekly to help keep the mag alk calvium and ph in check.

I have not had to do much to my tanks over the years. my new tank I do a 10% weekly I am also adding just over a gallon of top off daily. I do not use any chemicals to treat for diatoms cyno ar any pests. I reserve to use natural combats on it. My new tank has been running since October and i have only had one outbreak in amonia, cause one of my kids decided the fish needed bread to eat one weekend I was gone. GRRRRRR I change out my carbon and Phosban reactose every two weeks. My skimmer is underrated for my tank but I also like to feed a little heavy for the corals. Just now adding in some nice SPS and I know they are not all photosythetic so I want some food in the water column for them. I also do not like to spot feed but maybe once a week. My sump turns at 900 gph and I am using 4 250 gph korilas for added flow for the coral. I have them on timers to shut of and on all day randomly to change the current in the tank.

Most of all I recomend READ READ READ I also recomend diping corals and Qt all fish. Be patient. rush the system and it will crash. some soft some crash hard overnight.

Also back up powersupply to your return pump and one way check valves with shut off valves for long term hold if the pump fails.

 

[Ninja1]

Great advice- I try to read all the good and bad threads for info. Usually I go looking do one thing and end up having to research 5 things.

Lol at the kids and bread. I'm really looking into building a good filtering setup. I can't believe I forgot to add the most important thing to my list- test kit!!! I was heavily relying on getting the new apex controller to monitor the levels.

 

[Ninja1]

Oh! Another quick question- can there ever be too much flow/power throughout? I'm looking to do a Mag 9.5 and mp40s on top but my DT is 75-80.

 

[psykobowler]

I run Ozone on a vertex skimmer for 30 minutes per day
Carbon on a Nextreef MR1 reactor
Prodibio Biodigest with ocassional vodka
Wet skimming using a SRO XP-3000 cone skimmer

 

[cloak]

Psst!

 

[boogerCo]

Oh! Another quick question- can there ever be too much flow/power throughout? I'm looking to do a Mag 9.5 and mp40s on top but my DT is 75-80.

A 9.5 on a 75 is not realy to much. im doing 9.5 on a 110 with a 55 sump.

 

[warbyd]

Keep a good test kit around and check your magnisium calcium alkaline and amoniaand Ph daily. Check for nitrate and nitrite weekly check your RO water for Phosphates, that way you know when you need knew filters.

You have to be kidding me ... If all of that testing was necessary daily 99% of people would be out of the hobby within weeks ... Weekly should be frequent enough for most tests - ammonia should never be present after your cycle is finished, nor should nitrite... check these once in a blue moon if it makes you feel better but otherwise don't worry about them unless you have some reason to suspect something is amiss...

To check your RO filters you should be using a TDS meter.. quicker, simpler, cheaper...

Testing alk/calc/mag/nitrate/phosphate weekly or fortnightly should be more than sufficient... anything else is on an as-required basis.

-Dave

 

[disc1]

He said fortnight....

 

[davocean]

The use of a filter sock can change water clarity dramatically in a day or two, that and carbon.

 

[allsps40]

I good skimmer, clean foods, water changes and carbon from time to time I dont need it to keep my water crystal clear. I also have a lot of sponges growing on my LR.

 

[sanchoy]

Agreed.

with all the above. Not sure about you guys, but sometimes after a big water change my water appears to be a bit misty from the salt mix. And yes, i premixed the salt in a giant container prior to adding the water.