Need advice on water Cleaning/Polishing.

[Myka]

I hope you plan to remove all those Tangs. There is no tang in the world that will be happy in a 50g tank when it's any bigger than 2-3". I don't know how big they are right now, but they are pooping machines, so they could be contributing a lot to your water clarity issue. What are your nitrates at?

You have significantly lowered the effectiveness of your PhosBan Reactor by plumbing it into the Mag 5. The flow through the PBR should only be about 150 gph. It takes time for the media to suck the phosphate out. I don't think carbon is your issue.

The "felt bag" that you are using...is it a "100 micron filter sock"?

Your sump looks really young...how old is your setup? You only have 4.5x turnover through your sump. Sorry to say you should have bought a bigger pump. You should be looking at anywhere from 6-10x turnover. I personally prefer 6-7x turnover, and think anything more than that is a waste of electricity...unless it's a FO or FOWLR tank. This means you need something more in the range of 425-525 gph at 4' head. Yours is only producing 310 gph at 4' head. I'm thinking this may be a significant factor in your problem since the water isn't going through the sump fast enough for the filter bag and skimmer to clean it well.

Another thought is your skimmer. I have no idea what kind that is...looks like a Euro-Reef knockoff of some sort. Skimmers are worth their weight in gold, and you should NEVER skimp on the cost of a skimmer. This may also be a contributing factor to your unclear water.

[bv_reefer]

running quality carbon and various resins in a decent hangon filter like DanG mentioned should definitely contribute, i've been using fluval carbon and honestly when my clownfish isn't dusting all the sand around the bta the water is pretty clear, one thing I'm starting to consider is that boyd chemi-clear fliter media, wondering if it actually polishes water like it says..worth considering

[Marlin65]

Your light is too far away from your Cheato.
Have a picture of your tank?

[Myka]

For you guys suggesting carbon...please explain how carbon, which absorbs dissolved impurities, is going to help with suspended particulates?

But ya, post up a pic of your tank. We can probably tell much more from a photo.

[bv_reefer]

carbon absorbs alot myka, pollutants, odors, chemical stains, but I can see why you'd be skeptical about it removing suspended particles as even the best carbons get clogged fairly quickly..

[Glennrf38]

Thanks for all the advice.
I don't plan on keeping all the tangs, just until they get too big.
I have the line from the pump to the phosban reactor throttled right down to a trickle.
The felt bag is just that, a felt bag. I was told by a LFS that these work as well as the 100 micron filter socks........

As far as the pump goes, I guess that is what I get for listening to the same LFS......... I guess I will have to get another new pump. Mag 9 maybe???

The sump is very young, I just bought it last weekend. The old one is really yucky and wasn't big enought for the equipment. The tank is about 1 year old. I had it built at Gold's in town last year.

Skimmer is a Corallife 125 model. It was the best that I could afford when I started.

Thanks again. More advice is always welcome.

This is the tank before I cleaned it yesterday rearranged the rock work.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Glennrf38

Thanks for all the advice.
I don't plan on keeping all the tangs, just until they get too big.
I have the line from the pump to the phosban reactor throttled right down to a trickle.
The felt bag is just that, a felt bag. I was told by a LFS that these work as well as the 100 micron filter socks........

As far as the pump goes, I guess that is what I get for listening to the same LFS......... I guess I will have to get another new pump. Mag 9 maybe???

The sump is very young, I just bought it last weekend. The old one is really yucky and wasn't big enought for the equipment. The tank is about 1 year old. I had it built at Gold's in town last year.

Skimmer is a Corallife 125 model. It was the best that I could afford when I started.

Thanks again. More advice is always welcome.

This is the tank before I cleaned it yesterday rearranged the rock work.

Mag 9 would be a bit much. The Mag 7 would be good. Maybe they'll let you exchange it since they recommended it, and it wasn't a good recommendation. I really think this is the route of your problem. The filter sock sounds ok. I just use sheets of bulk filter floss put as a lining into a small collander. The water drains into the collander and through the floss. It does the trick, but I change it often...prob once a week.

Try the new pump, if that doesn't work, try a new skimmer (Euro-Reefs are great and not too too pricey).

I think it's time to start finding homes for the tangs. They look like they are all around the 3" mark? There are lots of gorgeous fish that are much more suitable for smaller tanks. Take a peek at the different Wrasses...Flashers and Fairies. They are nice, and many stay quite small.

[Glennrf38]

Thanks for the good advice Myka. Can I keep my yellow tang for a while longer????? Please...... He is so nice to watch. I don't think I will be able to trade in the pump..... Maybe keep it for a new skimmer??? Put it on the shelf next to my Quiet One pump that it replaced???

[Myka]

The Yellow Tang is the least demanding of your tangs, so you could probably keep him longer if you find homes for the other two. I understand your liking for them. I also love tangs, but I don't want a tank big enough to keep them! Try out the Flasher Wrasses...they'll grow on you. If you had some sand you could get a jawfish, and they are really fun to watch. They are constantly renovating their burrows. Very cute.

You could probably sell your pumps, or keep one for a spare in case your pump ever breaks down (it will happen). Which reminds me...I need a spare too.

[Glennrf38]

I have a quiet 1 1200 that is probably going up for sale