Problems with my reef tank

[Byrns149]

Ive had my 30g long set up for going on 3 months now. I have two fish currently, a young yellow tang and a blue damsel. I have many zoas and other softies. I have a few lps aswell. My fish and coral are doing great.

In the last month and a half i have had a bad green Cyanobacteria break out which started on my sand then later moved to my rocks and then my glass.

This stuff covers my coral and makes the tank look nasty. I've done my best to siphon as much out as possible during my weekly 20% water changes. I feed once a day mysis. I try not to over feed and i see 90% of what i put in get eaten

I am running a HOB with carbon and de nitrate. I have 15lbs of live rock. My lights stay on for 7 hours a day.

My nitrates are testing abnormally high
Here are my parameters

Salinity-1.024
Ammonia-0ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Nitrate-atleast 20ppm
pH-8.2
Phosphates-0

I have 5 hermits 4 turbos as my cuc.


What should be my next step? Do you suggest i buy more animals for my cuc?


This is the cleanest i can get it. The cyano will be back within the next few days i bet.
277209

[Byrns149]

I also have 850gph of flow and the hang on back provides even more surface disturbance.

[Xavibear]

Are you using RODI water?

[acabgd]

I agree your bioload is not that big, but from the photo it seems you have just a minimum amount of LR. How much do you have?

[degibson84]

It looks like you need more live rock for natural biological filtration as well as a good protein skimmer. This will help remove the nutrients that are feeding the nuisances.

[Byrns149]

Are you using RODI water?

Yes i have always used RO. My LFS uses the same water and their tanks are beautiful....


Is my problem the amount of liverock i have? I know its low i just havent gotten around to buying anymore. Will adding another 15lbs of live rock really make a difference?

[Byrns149]

I agree your bioload is not that big, but from the photo it seems you have just a minimum amount of LR. How much do you have?

I only have 15lbs right now.

[degibson84]

I only have 15lbs right now.

Most people will say you need at least 1lb per gallon

[Byrns149]

It looks like you need more live rock for natural biological filtration as well as a good protein skimmer.
Is a remora c good for this? i dont have a sump so i have no other choice besides a hob.

[anbosu]

With time the additional live rock should help. A skimmer would make a big difference as well.

[degibson84]

A hob remora will be fine

[ReeferBill]

You can get base dry rock and it will become live over time , or hook up a 10 or 20 gallon sump to put more liverock in so your display has more room!

[nicholasb]

What kind of p04 test are you using. you need one that test down to 0.1 or below 0.03 is better. Are you running a phosphate remover. More rock will help remove nitrate but it will take time!!.

[prickles]

you can try a GFO reactor. That might help.

[Curtispants]

Just want to add that your fish are algae grazers...and you're only feeding Mysis once a day. You should add some veggies, either nori or some veggie flakes. And the tank will want to eat more than just once a day.

[Byrns149]

Just want to add that your fish are algae grazers...and you're only feeding Mysis once a day. You should add some veggies, either nori or some veggie flakes. And the tank will want to eat more than just once a day.

I have seaweed sheets i put on a clip. I think feeding more than once a day will add to my problem...

[thenewguy997]

imo you dont have enough LR to process nitrates

[scott3569]

I would also say you don't have enough live...I didn't see it mentioned but be careful adding more live rock you could end up getting a mini cycle, even just 10 more pounds would probably help, even if you get it dry from BRS once you wash it out you could adding right away and it will seed over time.. if you don't have a protein skimmer you need one, your live rock and protein skimmer is really all you need..at least at first anyway..


edit: I am just talking about the filtration, you need your flow too..LOL

[Dummyforclownfi]

You know you can buy a HOB skimmer right? In the past, I used to run a reef octopus BH100 and I must say that for a HOB, it must be top of the line because it sure does work wonders.

[Xavibear]

Aquamaxx hob. I have one on a 36 gallon tank it pulls a lot of gunk.

[ReeferSutherlnd]

I had algae problems until I added a sump. Also if I were you I would add some more LR or just base rock. Lose the HOB filter. I have the remora c skimmer and it's awesome. It's like night and day with the sump, trust. You will see a difference.