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Tank Clarity

Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
I was at Reefco this past weekend for my second time, and I can't get over how crystal clear the tanks are. I am wondering what I can do to match that level of clarity. I run a small UV sterilizer in my 30 AIO tank and I am wondering if that really is doing anything.. my frag tank doesn't have a sterilizer and is the same clarity if not more. I run chemi pure blue on the AIO system and I was wondering if I should add a carbon reactor which my frag tank currently has.

Is there anything else that helps?

Maybe a better HOB sterilizer & a carbon reactor?
 
amado

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
I was at Reefco this past weekend for my second time, and I can't get over how crystal clear the tanks are. I am wondering what I can do to match that level of clarity. I run a small UV sterilizer in my 30 AIO tank and I am wondering if that really is doing anything.. my frag tank doesn't have a sterilizer and is the same clarity if not more. I run chemi pure blue on the AIO system and I was wondering if I should add a carbon reactor which my frag tank currently has.

Is there anything else that helps?

Maybe a better HOB sterilizer & a carbon reactor?
Click to expand...

It’s not fair to compare your tank to reefco.
They have staff that clean the tanks everyday.
They also have a lot of volume. The more water volume you have the better water quality.
They clean the glass and frag tanks every day.
He also has a army of snails cleaning the frag racks and floor.
They use fritz salt and they do a lot of huge water changes.
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
amado said:
It’s not fair to compare your tank to reefco.
They have staff that clean the tanks everyday.
They also have a lot of volume. The more water volume you have the better water quality.
They clean the glass and frag tanks every day.
He also has a army of snails cleaning the frag racks and floor.
They use fritz salt and they do a lot of huge water changes.
Click to expand...

For sure more volume helps, but I should be able to get pretty close if I have the right equipment, I am thinking of smacking a carbon reactor. Maybe I will add some more snails as well.
 
M

mickeysreef <*))))<

NJRC Member
uv and carbon definitely clears up water. are you cleaning your uv sleeve regularly and also replacing the bulb? change carbon like every 2 weeks. the other thing is using a water polisher. i have a diy water polisher on my 29, the water is crystal but im changing out the filter floss on the water polisher every day or two. a sock would also work but have to change like every day or two
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
mickeysreef <*))))< said:
uv and carbon definitely clears up water. are you cleaning your uv sleeve regularly and also replacing the bulb? change carbon like every 2 weeks. the other thing is using a water polisher. i have a diy water polisher on my 29, the water is crystal but im changing out the filter floss on the water polisher every day or two. a sock would also work but have to change like every day or two
Click to expand...
I was under the impression to change carbon like every 4 months? I have never cleaned my UV sterilizer, it's about a year old, I guess it's time to replace bulb and clean. I want to start with carbon reactor, just need to find a sale on BRS or a used one.
 
amado

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
I was under the impression to change carbon like every 4 months? I have never cleaned my UV sterilizer, it's about a year old, I guess it's time to replace bulb and clean. I want to start with carbon reactor, just need to find a sale on BRS or a used one.
Click to expand...

Carbon last about 15 days and should be changed at least every month. UV bulbs should be replaced every 6 months
 
Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
DangerDave said:
Carbon, oxydator, ozone. Any of them can get you crystal clear water. I use small amounts of carbon changed frequently and an oxydator.
Click to expand...
I will work through changing carbon more frequently as per everyone's recommendations.

Also my uv sterilizer is the IM model. I don't know of one I can fit on my AIO 30 gallon other than this
 
M

mickeysreef <*))))<

NJRC Member
I was using the jbzap nano uv on my 29 for a bit but I've got copepods in there now and shut it off. now I'm running a make shift refugium in one of the rear Chambers and water is pretty clear and my nutrients dropped to near zero. I'm using 3 submersible light bars with a ball of chaeto shoved back there. I have display light all blue and refugium running pink red so most 90% of the algae is growing back there now.
 

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Hallowhead

Hallowhead

NJRC Member
I'm hesitant to start a fuge. Unless I continue to feed at excessive rates. My nitrates are 25-50 but I'm worried a fuge may strip my phosphate. Debating more frequent water changes too
 
amado

amado

Dal
Staff member
Board of Directors
NJRC Member
Hallowhead said:
I'm hesitant to start a fuge. Unless I continue to feed at excessive rates. My nitrates are 25-50 but I'm worried a fuge may strip my phosphate. Debating more frequent water changes too
Click to expand...
With a tank of your size I would go with a algae reactor.
Not a fuge. It’s smaller and it’s easier to maintain and clean.
It’s also very easy for you to set a time for it to be on or
Off. You can also control the flow that’s going to the reactor.
 
DEL

DEL

President
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Moderator
they probably use huge socks, carbon, UV. I'm sure if you ask they will tell you. also don't forget sometimes lights make a difference on viewing.
 
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