Newbie Filtration Question....

BlueAbyss · #1 03-04-2010, 03:42 AM

I won't venture an opinion yet, but I'll suggest that for uploading photos you use a site like photobucket and then use the [ IMG] tags to insert your images into posts.

And welcome to Canreef

Fishward · #2 03-04-2010, 04:55 AM

i would hold your tongue on this one, as most of us amatuers dream of a tank that has no algae. if you're worried about your scavengers going hungry, just feed a bit more so they get a share..

#3 03-04-2010, 05:42 AM

feed frozen foods then everyone get some and the nitrates should not acumilate make sure that you clean that canister filter at the minimum every other month perferibly each month you do not want a nitrate factory happening in it.

Bill

BlueAbyss · #4 03-04-2010, 05:48 AM

The whole point of having scavengers is so that NO food goes uneaten. It goes without saying that sometimes the scavengers will have slim pickings and will always be hungry... this is a very good thing when it comes to reef safe hermits (or crabs in general) that will feed on algae as well as meaty bits. Perhaps you have algae eating snails that are keeping growth minimized.

Now, I wanted to see the tank before I formed an opinion, but the more I think about it I really want to ask about the microbubbles... are they coming from the skimmer (which I assume is a hang-on back type) or from the canister filter? If they are coming from the canister you may have a leak on the suction side of said filter. Also, in most cases a strong flow is good for the tank's inhabitants, though a strong direct blast from a filter output will not be.

My 'reef' has turned into a 'planted' tank. I got lazy and macros don't get eaten by any of the creatures that live in my tank. It is, however, free of any microalgae or diatoms (or dead stuff, or fine particulates in the water column). I have a veritable army of snails and worms (and a pair of crabs) that make short work of that stuff. Even without regular feeding, the tank still grows algae...

project37 · #5 03-04-2010, 06:49 PM

I am going to guess that the micro bubbles are coming from your Remora C skimmer. Did the skimmer come with the overflow box for inside your tank? If not you could purchase one as the return side of the overflow box has a foam pad on the bottom of the outlet side to prevent micro bubbles from going into your tank. Another option would be to put a piece of foam on the right hand side of the skimmer just behind the waterfall outlet. This will trap microbubbles before they have a chance to enter your tank.
The FX5 is a large canister filter for a 54 gallon tank as it is rated for tanks up to 400 gallon. It may be over filtering your tank but some members will say there is no such thing as over filtering. I have a 90 gallon tank and only run the Fluval 405 canister filter as it is rated for up to 100 gallon. If you want to try a smaller filter let me know as I could swap you my 405 for your FX5 for a while if you want to see if it makes a difference.
Good luck with your tank and keep us posted on your findings.