Detrius Build-Up Problem

[Jiddy]

Im havin some serious flow problems, and im just now startin to address them. But i would like your help. The problem in the tank is phosphates are high and i believe my source is from the detrius buildup in the low flow areas. So i just need to increase my flow right, well thats easier said then done. The tank is full of corals, and adding flow seems to hit a coral with a direct flow, thus makin the coral mad. I was thinking of gettin a controller to randomize the flow a bit, but it would still be direct flow, just every 3-5seconds.

When i first setup the tank (72"L) i had two seperate CL on the top, each had 4 outlets and where directed down in the tank, this gave a nice swirl effect, but created to no-flow pools on the top of my tank, since i have a HOB overflow in the middle, the two sides with the CL's werent gettin skimmed, the design was ugly and didnt seem to be as efficient as drawn up, so i just switched to 2 Seio 2600's, placed at oppisite sides of the tank, the where my only flow, besides the 2 return sump lines, which dont do much. The seios seemed to be okay, but didnt really do much, i placed them above the sandbed line, shootin across the length of the tank, it worked but many deadspots in the middle of the tank (blocked by rock) and the rocks themselves had no flow on them. I also have a small Rio pump that takes up one corner. Then one of the Seios jammed so i went with the Maxi-Jet 1200, since you can mod them *when i get money, lol* so i bought 3 MJ's and took out the Rio. So at the present time i have: 2 return lines, 1 Seio 2600, 3 MJ 1200. I added the MJ's at both sides of the tank and one on top of the tank blowin towards the front. The rockwork isnt touched and the corals seem to be directly blown on anywhere i add the powerheads, detrius constantly collects on my pagoda and other corals, which i remove daily, but i cant really turkey bast the whole tank every day, would just like some suggestions..... WHAT TO DO! Thanks for your time

-El Jidda

 

[diablo]

Im having the same problem jiddy. I am going to do something I have been dreading for a long time. tearing apart the tank. heres my plan of action and if I am wrong someone chime in on this.


#1 I am going to drain the tank 3/4 of the way down saving all that clean water. I am going to put all my corals in this water along with my fish when I can catch them later.

#2 Then I am going to carefully remove all my rock and rinse it in some aged saltwater then set it aside

#3 catch all the fish

#4 gravel vac the sand and scrap all the glass remove the remaining water
then add fresh saltwater (wasting salt) to inshure the sand is free of detritious

#5 add the rock back

#6 add the original water and corals back into the tank leaving enuf for the fish to swim for a little bit.... adding fresh saltwater to top off

#7 Then I am going to slow my flow down and filter the overflows trying to remove any of the last bit. wait a hour or so for the water to clear up then add my fish


sounds like one hell of a pain in the *** but I truely believe that I need to do this. I will adjust my flows at that time.

this is what Im about to do. depends on how bad you got it. Hope my pain helps you a bit.

 

[Krish]

Bummer Jiddy :doubt: If it is powerheads you want to stick with to provide your flow, there is one way that Jason (Sherman) suggested I set up opposing powerheads and loved it ever since. It provides you with great random turbulant flow as well as coverage. With your tank being 72L, it may be a bit more difficult, but have you tried putting one powerhead on opposing ends of the tank and pointing them both at the center front glass where they can collide? Once I got my powerheads positioned like this, I never moved them again and on my old 75gal, what made it even more effective was using a sea-swirl in the center to mix things up a bit more. Here's what I mean by the powerhead placement. Nothing gets blasted full throttle but the front glass and so far everyone who has tried this method seems to love it. HTH and good luck

 

[Scooterman]

Jiddy, I had similar issues with my 5ft tank, the Tunze with opposing random speeds from the controller was real soft wide flow, took time to adjust but was nice, I wish I had the magnetic holders then. I also came up with a cl that went over the top & straight down with a few outlets at the bottom blowing water across the back & in the lower bottom areas, this helped some also. This is the reason why I switched to acrylic because of all the darn holes I have in the back of my tank

 

[diablo]

jiddy have you tried one of these for your phosphate issues

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...=PROD&Product_Code=TLF-PHOSREC&Category_Code=

 

[dnjan]

One question - what is your plan for actually removing detritus from the system, assuming you are able to achieve enough flow to keep the detritus from settling (without hurting your corals)?

A filter sock on the overflow line?

 

[spongebob lover]

i think the filter sock is a good idea, it has helped me alot to get rid of my detritus.

now about your high phosphates, i think the best way is to use a phosphate reactor like Larry says just make sure you wash it first before use.
I'm not a flow expert but i know Krish is the man when it comes to that, so definetly i'd try what he says.

 

[dnjan]

Gaby - you know that if you mention Krish in a post that he will end up getting two additional posts out of it himself. And we end up all the closer to needing a new server yet again ...

 

[spongebob lover]

Gaby - you know that if you mention Krish in a post that he will end up getting two additional posts out of it himself. And we end up all the closer to needing a new server yet again ...

LMBO!!! shoot i forgot about the server..... never mind Jiddy don't listen to me, i don't wanna have to go through more on and off with RF .

 

[Krish]

Gaby - you know that if you mention Krish in a post that he will end up getting two additional posts out of it himself. And we end up all the closer to needing a new server yet again ...

ROFL!!! Don...I was just thinking the other day how you congratulated me on my first 1,000! Now look

now about your high phosphates, i think the best way is to use a phosphate reactor like Larry says just make sure you wash it first before use

Gabbs...They don't recommend washing it out really. They just recommend letting the water run through the reactor into a bucket or something until the water clears up coming out of it. I use filter floss and let the water run through that till it clears up

 

[dnjan]

Wow! Back when you were just in four figures with your post count, you would have made that into two separate replies!

 

[Krish]

Wow! Back when you were just in four figures with your post count, you would have made that into two separate replies!

LOL!


BTW...Where's Jiddy???

 

[dnjan]

Yes, where is Jiddy? Snowed in for the winter already?

Since this is an established sandbed tank with an admitted detritus buildup problem, it is probably a long-term problem that will not be fixed with just improved flow. The detritus is already in the sand. All the flow in the world will not clean the sand below the surface (unless you make a sandstorm and end up moving the sandbed into the filter sock ).

So, as a minimum, I think that some serious sandbed vaccuuming/replacement/removal will be needed for the long-term health of the tank. Otherwise, it takes a long time for a sandbed to clean itself.

 

[spongebob lover]

[Gabbs...They don't recommend washing it out really. They just recommend letting the water run through the reactor into a bucket or something until the water clears up coming out of it. I use filter floss and let the water run through that till it clears up
/QUOTE]

excuse my english then

Wow! Back when you were just in four figures with your post count, you would have made that into two separate replies!

LMBO!! :lol:

Yes, where is Jiddy?

naww he's just got shy after the vikings lost :lol:.

So, as a minimum, I think that some serious sandbed vaccuuming/replacement/removal will be needed for the long-term health of the tank. Otherwise, it takes a long time for a sandbed to clean itself.

in a few ....go bare bottom

 

[Jiddy]

Im sittin back listening, i just found out i got accepted for a new job so ill be sellin my tank now

 

[Krish]

Congrats??? Is it a good thing?

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Only good if he gets outa that cold in the Dakotas Krish, Jiddy dont seell the tank man, I transported a 125 Gallon 3000 miles to Phoenix. It can be done. Just an opinion from a avid mover, myself.

 

[Jiddy]

Its a positive experience Krish, lets hope,lol

Bob, if this was a one time deal i would do it, but i have to move to tech school, then 6mo later move to my station. Then if im lucky ill be there for two years before i move again. I think ill get a nano after this, lol

 

[sryder]

good luck jids. keep coming back man.
steve

 

[Krish]

Sounds great then Jiddy! Best wishes man and I agree...Get a nano that you can easily pack up and take with you. They are real fun to have and easy to maintain