stupid beginner question

Dtking

Dtking

Member
I think you all know that I only have a 10 gal tank by now, but I have a stupid question... maybe.... all I have in my tank is sand and rock, and I noticed that the water is kinda turning a yellowish color... Is that common? or do I need to do something?! I have checked my levels, my salt lvl is a little high, but i am going to fix that tomarrow. What to do?! oh and P. Whitby, Can you send me an email so i can get your information so i can join the society?!

Thanks,
Dustin & Melissa
 
It just a algae blooming process probably. You may want to run a little activated carbon to get rid of the yellow, and make the water sparkle...

Kyle
 
Welcome to the forum. I was just like you about a year ago, starting a 10g nano. Feel free to PM me with any nano related questions.
 
Thank you all so much for all of your help... I have another question, if i dont feel like getting a skimmer (or dont have the funds at the moment hehe) Is there a way i can clean up all of that gunk off the top of the water?!

thanks,
Dustin and Melissa
 
You can add a powerhead that will aggitate the surface. If you do get a skimmer I would recommend a aquac remora if you want a hang on style, oh and with a preskimmer...

Kyle
 
i know some people like the smaller size tanks...but i started a nano...24 gal....it is a lot harder to keep things stable in a smaller tank. i gave up on the nano and focus on the larger tank...just my 2 cents. :)
 
I have 1 of each right now. A 20g Long, and a 100g Show. The 100 gallon is by far easier to maintain. But I still have a love for my small nano. I like the small form factor.

Another option for not having a skimmer is regular water changes. I do 20 % weekly changes on my 20g, and I still have yet to attach a skimmer. Been running over a year now, and all is well.
 
I was about to add that....water changes can really help and you can by pass skimmers. There is a club member here that has a 180 that has no skimmer...he just change about 30% EVERY WEEK! good god....:)..his stuff looks great though
 
I appriciate the info you all have given me, but here goes another stupid question... so when you do a water change you take out 20 percent of the water and just add new saltwater?!

thanks,
Dustin
P.S. I know that sounds stupid... but is there anything else i need to do?
 
on a 10g, I would do 1g every week. It will make life much easier. 2g may be too much of a shock.

Make sure its same specific gravity and temperature.....do the change slowly. Make the new saltwater up the day before.
 
1. Mix your saltwater at least 24 hours in advance. It will allow the O2 and CO2 levels to balance.

2. Turn off any pumps, powerheads, etc. that are going to run dry once you take the water out. No sense in causing unnecessary damage...

3. Siphon out the old water from the tank. If you expose some rock it is ok as long you get water back in fairly quickly.

4. Siphon or pour your new water in and start your pumps.


There are probably some things I have left out but that should be the basics.
 
I think the water change is to be after the cycle. Changing water before the end of the cycle will only extend the cycle from what I udnerstand. Good luck. Nice size the 10 gal.
 
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