Yellowish Water in Broodstock System

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

I, about 3 months ago, set up and filled a 200 gallon (about) broodstock system. The system has a ER CS8-4 skimmer, rated to I think about 300 gallons. Also has about 50 lbs of live rock int he sump and about 30 more lbs of dry rock added (eventually will be live rock) to sump as well. I slowly added my clown pairs to this system to where it is now, 8 pairs of clowns (4 o & w occ, 1 b & w occ, 1 WSM, 1 GSM, 1 picasso perc). These fish are all decent sized with about 1/2 being proven pairs and the others close to breeding size. Anyhow with my increased power feedings the last 3 or so weeks my water has become slightly yellow in color. I every night siphon off all tanks clear of uneaten food, normally about 5 gallons worth. I today added about 2 cups of ROWA carbon to the sump...no idea why I did not sooner, slipped my mind. The tanks are all barebottoms, has a 20 or 25 watt UV sterilizer (can not remember the size right now). System is maintained at 82 degrees, has ammonia alert badges in a couple tanks that say zero. All fish doing great, no spawning yet due them being moved into the system, waiting for them to start again.

I was wondering should I look more into getting Ozone on the system? What do you guys run on your broodstock? What size ozone would be appropriate for the system? I have heard the yellow water is not a big deal but would like to know if this is true and I personally would rather they are crystal clear, just would make me feel better

Thanks, Scott

 

[Kathy55g]

I am surprised that your carbon is not taking care of the problem. I use a PURA filter pad which I change after 2 weeks. Keeps my water reasonably clear of the yellow tinge. The most concentrated fish I had last year was 700 juveniles in 90 gallons of water. When I first added the pad, there was a dramatic change in water color. Also, the daily death toll decreased to 0, and has remained that way ever since. I had been getting a few deaths per day of mostly the smallest ones!

 

[David M]

Another breeder I know runs carbon one week out of each month to clear the water. I'm starting to do the same, tired of looking into a white bucket and seeing yellow water in there

 

[tanglovers]

I just added the carbon today so it very well may clear up the yellow color. Just wanted to see what other people where doing.

Thanks!

 

[Fishboy42]

I use ozone to keep the water clear. Carbon should work too, but on large systems I like ozone...easy, cheap, and also has some sterilization benefits. You really shouldn't need very much; any small hobby-unit should work well. I haven't settled on a particular brand yet, but I know I don't like pacific coast imports or red sea units. Ozotech seems to be holding up well so far...

 

[Kathy55g]

I've read that if you run Ozone, you should run carbon after it to remove oxidizers (Bromine) created by the ozone. If you are going to run carbon, that alone may take care of the color issue.

I skip the Ozone step, and all is well.

 

[Kathy55g]

This seems to work for me in my system, but I am a newbie, and I may find I need to do things differently down the line. Nearly everyone else here has more experience.

Just a FYI.