Filtration

[coryhupfer]

So I have been dealing with my Cyanobacteria problem for the past two weeks because of my high phosphates and after adding phosgaurd and attaining a protien skimmer for my tank I was wondering if I could remove one of my hang on the back filters? Right now I have 2 whisper power filter 60's and since those are rated for a 60gal tank I should be fine with just one and the skimmer right?its just with my tank the filter and skimmer barely fit on the back so ide like to just have the skimmer on one side and one filter on the other

[Susan Lohrer]

Lots of people don't use a HOB filter for saltwater. If you do, make sure you rinse the media well and often.

[coryhupfer]

Here's a picture quality is bad because I took it with my iPad
http://i39.*******.com/bijclf.jpg

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yeah, you really can get by with just one HB filter. It's a great place to run media when there's no sump. Just make sure you take it off the tank regularly and clean it out.

[Susan Lohrer]

You're doing regular water changes too, right? That (along with trying not to overfeed) is the best way to remove the cyanobacteria's food source.

[coryhupfer]

Yeah the tanks been going for 9 months or so at first they weren't regular but I'm doing 10 gallons every two weeks now going to do another tomorrow after I get my hose back from my brother tonight.i really noticed it growing when I changed my two t5 bulbs to a led setup i don't know if that's just when my phosphates rose or what but the tank seems to be doing better.i started feeding my angler and lionfish 2 times a week instead of every other day which was probably too much. But thanks for the response I just wanted to know if one filter
was good enough and it is

[Susan Lohrer]

I'm sure we're all happy to help. :)

That's interesting that you saw cyano after switching to LEDs. I did too, though I cut down on feeding and it subsided.

[FTDelta]

You could use more LR...

[coryhupfer]

I felt like I had enough LR I had more I just didn't know what to do with it there isn't much room for rockscaping in the 55
http://i41.*******.com/35ce4ux.jpg
The picture quality really sucks on this iPad
Thanks again for the help

[ChiveCK]

I felt like I had enough LR I had more I just didn't know what to do with it there isn't much room for rockscaping in the 55
http://i41.*******.com/35ce4ux.jpg
The picture quality really sucks on this iPad
Thanks again for the help

I would add more LR. Also take the cartridges out of the HOB and just use it for water movement. The cartridge filters trap detritus and rotting food and, unless changed every couple of days, contribute to water issues.

You might try running just the one filter, with no cartridge, for water movement. Adding a bag of carbon to the filter might help your water clarity. You can always slide a cartridge into it after a water change to catch stirred up matter but I would remove it again after a day. Be sure to keep it clean or you'll just dump junk back into your tank every time you mess with it.

As for the live rock, here is an aquascape I did on a friends 55. You can figure something out. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/20/utenuryg.jpg

[coryhupfer]

Alright thanks I can probably pickup some more rock up today from my brothers house and go to my lfs to get some carbon so I can take those filters out thanks a lot

[coryhupfer]

Also how should I be running my lights?right now I turn the light on around 10 and turn it to moonlight at around 9 when I get out of work.is this schedule okay?

[downbeach]

Your N's and P's are probably a little high, if you have a good skimmer, you could try some carbon dosing. Here is a good article on the subject:

http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/current-issue/article/116-vinegar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

As has been mentioned, you'll need to replace the filter cartridges fairly often, I would probably change them one at a time each week, or whatever timetable is practicable. If I remember correctly, those HOB filters usually had additional compartments to hold other types of media, I'd look into what's available.

[coryhupfer]

Yeah I'm gonna head over to my lfs today when they open get my water tested and grab whatever I need to get things normal thanks again

[coryhupfer]

So I went to the store and my phosphates have gone down to a normal level and I picked a new powerhead up while I was there seeing as I only had one so now I have a maxi jet 900 setup and a maxi jet 600 in the box but I don't know where or how I should position the both of them any help?

[coryhupfer]

http://i41.*******.com/sp7imv.jpg that's what I'm at now

[Susan Lohrer]

Usually if you put one on each side of the back panel, pointing slightly downward and toward the center of the front panel (or so that their paths cross but with one a bit higher than the other), that creates some nice turbulent (nonlinear) flow. And position them so they're not blasting any creature with direct flow, of course (unless said creature would like that).

[coryhupfer]

Thanks for all the help! Phosphates are regular now and I have both powerheads in does this setup look alright?i didn't know if the one on the left next to the skimmer should stay like that or not
http://i44.*******.com/e8uc8g.jpg

[Boston21]

What are your phosphate levels exactly?

[JiveWalker]

I would keep the rocks off the glass on the ends and back, maybe pile a little higher in the middle instead. Flow would be better and less dead spots in the water. Also, painting the back glass black or using a background might be a good thing, might try and see if you like it.

[coryhupfer]

Honestly went to the store at like 1 today and then work I forgot exactly what he said my levels were at but he did say it was back at a normal number

[coryhupfer]

I would keep the rocks off the glass on the ends and back, maybe pile a little higher in the middle instead. Flow would be better and less dead spots in the water. Also, painting the back glass black or using a background might be a good thing, might try and see if you like it.

Yeah honestly didn't really know what to do with my rock when is set it up and then kinda just added more. thanks for the help definitely gonna do some rockscaping

[JiveWalker]

If you're like me, you'll rearrange it a million times. That's part of the fun!

[coryhupfer]

Yeah definitely until I heard a click looked up saw my skimmer was overflowing and water was on the outlet and was starting to spark so I unplugged that and now have a huge mess to clean up on top of rockscaping. I think I'm gonna do a water change and move the tank to the other side of my room now too