How to keep rocks clean

[xxnonamexx]

I have a 120 Fowlr. Since Aug my sister has been tending to it and I did water changes etc. I have 5 fish Picasso, clown, y tang, b hippo tang, bicolor angel. My rock just gets dirty quick. My ultimate goal is to move the tank to my house into a wall. Algae is growing all over my rocks. Anyway to keep the rocks clean.

 

[thirty5]

You have to explain what you mean by dirty? Do you mean algae?

What are your water parameters?
How much light are you giving the tank (how long)
Do you use RO/DI water?

There is a lot to your question....

 

[Mattl22]

Fist off check ur phosphate and nitrate! Most important test u need for fowler ! Test those and give us info on ur tank ! R u running carbon / phosban? Do u have a skimmer?
Btw phosphate test kits r not too accurate but in ur case it will give u an idea of how high they are!
Do u use Rodi for ur salt water ?
I would try a sea hare also!
A

 

[xxnonamexx]

I'll admit the tank has been neglected since passing the torch to my sister while I got married and bought a house. I haven't tested for Phosphates. My Nitrates last month were 10. I haven't made any new additions etc. besides cleaning. I have a skimmer thats works fine. When I mean dirty I mean brown, green algae on rocks, sand etc. What is the best Phosphate tester you recommend. I don't use carbon I recently tossed the huge bag of carbon. Once I move the tank I will hopefully get it all back in top shape but I need to get it back now so I plan on cleaning it this weekend and need to know what besides carbon do I need to keep it clean, clear. If I do have Phosphate what is a good way to control it or get rid of it. I really do not want to add anymore devices like a reactor since the sump is getting full with the pumps, skimmer that I am sure a reactor will take up too much space. If it is the most economical, efficient way I will check it out. I use tap water since I used to use R/O but you waste more water then you get out of it. Plus I don't think the ocean water is safer then my tap lol. If I had to this looks like a nice reactor NextReef MR1 Complete Media Reactor Kit which I may consider.

 

[thirty5]

You need to do full array of tests an post all results so people can see where your probs are. That is first step. Hardto tell you wht to try without readings.

Hanna checker is the best IMO to test phosphates. But for now get something that is at leas semi reliable.

Water changes right now could be your best friend but depending on what else is going on I would test before that so we have abench mark

You may need to add some sort of reactor if you are having crtain probs to get it under control.

Test water post result including salinity and temp
Also are you using ro water?
Sent from my Piece of crap Sprint Epic

 

[mbg75]

While your testing for phosphates in the tank. Also test your tap water since your no longer using RO

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[xxnonamexx]

I will test all parameters before I clean my tank. If Phosphates are high is there something (non reactor) I can purchase to control the phosphates for the near term so after I clean the tank it can be Phosphate free??

 

[howze01]

You probably won't get 0 phosphate without using RO/DI. As far as getting rid of what's in there now, you can put a bag of Phosban in the sump but it has to be where water will flow through it, not just over it. Reactor is the best bet though. They don't HAVE to go in the sump either. They can be mounted to the wall behind the tank or something like that.

 

[Awibrandy]

You will definitely have high phosphates using tap water. Bulk reef supplies carry a duo reactor that you sit on the floor of your tank.
You need to go back to ro/di water, run gfo & carbon (in reactors would be more efficient).
You may be thinking it is only a fish aquarium, but what will happen if you ever decide to add corals? Using tap water will only serve to build up the phosphates in your rocks. Will you be willing to get rid of the rocks to get new ones for a reef?

Hope all works out for the best for you.

 

[xxnonamexx]

I checked my parameters the salinity was .0019 nitrates very high over 20 phosphates 10. I added carbon phosx bags cleaned filters, added new sponge, added this other phosx liquid I didn't change water since I did it last week 30%. I will be changing the water tomorrow. I'm shocked the fish are doing well. When I do make the move I think I will get the nitrate,phosphate reactor to deal w both issues. I did the reef corals and I will always stick to Fowlr and no going back so tap water is staying also since it takes a long time to make the RO and most of the water is wasted. I appreciate all of the advice.

 

[thirty5]

You need do do water changes to get those nitrates under control. Phospahtes are high but won't kill your animals. Water changes will help everthing. If you have not ued RO then you may have the phosphates leeching from your rocks. A fuge with macro and a reacto will help fix. A media bag with phosphate spong can work but makesure that you have good flow through it and you need to change it. When its gets exhausted the phosphates may leech back into the tank.

I checked my parameters the salinity was .0019 nitrates very high over 20 phosphates 10. I added carbon phosx bags cleaned filters, added new sponge, added this other phosx liquid I didn't change water since I did it last week 30% I'm shocked the fish are doing well. When I do make the move I think I will get the nitrate,phosphate reactor to deal w both issues. I did the reef corals and I will always stick to Fowlr and no going back so tap water is staying

Sent from my Piece of crap Sprint Epic

 

[skene]

ok my understanding of this is...
You are going to use tap water... Fine.
You don't want to listen to what people have to say... Fine.
Then realistically... you don't want any advice... Fine. Please don't ask questions if you are not ready to listen to the answers.
So you try and rectify a problem by continuing on your beaten path... and then expect a miracle from using phosphate media, when you are continuing to use water that you already know may have helped cause the problems to begin with. That's like putting on a bandaid to heal cut, when you continue pulling off the scab.

:smash:

 

[NewfiDog]

+1 Was gonna post the same thing earlier then just felt not worth the effort. You will not get rid of the algae from the rocks that way.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Misunderstanding. I appreciate all of the advice. I understand I should go with RO. I used RO when I had a reef but when I saw how long it took to make the water and the waste of water I decided to switch back to tap water.
I understand about the Phos now and I used the bags to help control it until I get a Phos/Nitrate reactor. I plan on doing a water change tomorrow. I understand water changes help control the nitrates and from reading other forums nitrates were only an issue with a reef and my fish are surprisingly doing well. I remember when I had a reef the nitrate spikes how it effected the corals etc. Once I finally move the tank to my house I will have much more time to dedicate to my tank which is why I am trying to do whatever I can until the move. Has anyone tried this unit? I know I will go back to my regular water change schedule of twice a month once the move but will this assist me http://www.tbaquatics.com/nextreef-mr1-media-reactor-979.html?zenid=ea0f85efb5a56615cb6236874cf1d4be Thanks

 

[rookie07]

Get a ro unit....anything else is just covering the problem

 

[thirty5]

+1
There is no point in runnin a reactor just to get rid of anything that your are knowingly just pumping the phosphates into tank with the tap water. You will wnd up using more media than the cost of the waste water.

And you should not have any nitrates in any tank IMO. That is sorta like saying that you can live with low does of carbon monxide in your house.

Get a ro unit....anything else is just covering the problem

Sent from my Piece of crap Sprint Epic

 

[fjpod]

you really should use rodi. some are going to laugh at me, but a tap water filter by API is an excellent second choice. No waste water,...it's a little slow, but you only need 12gal per week. Research it.

 

[skene]

For a FO system... yes probably the best way to go about it is to use an API tap water filter. It will reduce some of the waste that is in straight tap water by going through carbon and DI resin.
The better alternative over tap.

 

[xxnonamexx]

I understand going back to ro unit but it's not possible the way it will be setup in the new house. I know the water chAnges will help the nitrates so that will be a huge plus. Now if I had to stick with tap water what is worth helping phos. Thanks for all of the help.

 

[xxnonamexx]

Has anyone tried this http://www.aquaripure.com/productpages/ANF1021.htm