New to skimmers could use some help.

[cdemoss01]

Leave tidal going and use for mechanical filtration-you'll need it. Plus it's good for water movement.
You can place a bag of chemi-pure elite in there. Sounds like you have a phosphate problem.
Post some of your parameters that'll help us help you. Test.
Not believing in rip cleans, whatever they are remove 3 gallons of water into a 5 gallon bucket and scrub vigorously each rock you feel comfortable with.
Rinse and shake, put it back in the tank.
You're going to have to work at this but it's always fixable.
Keep up on water changes.
Joel

What should I scrub the rocks with? And should I use saltwater or ro/di water? One rock at a time is what I'm going to do, gonna take this slow and try to minimize stress for the fish. I haven't tested phosphates in a long time so yes most likely phosphates but its also nitrates.

 

[cdemoss01]

My LFS doesn't even have a phosphates tester. I am out of money completely from this algae situation. I have burned so much cash and its gone to nothing but more algae. I can't buy a test kit... Most people know I'm 14 and do not have a job yet.

 

[00W]

What should I scrub the rocks with? And should I use saltwater or ro/di water? One rock at a time is what I'm going to do, gonna take this slow and try to minimize stress for the fish. I haven't tested phosphates in a long time so yes most likely phosphates but its also nitrates.

Siphon out some tank water into a bucket.
Use that.
Sorta killing 2 birds with one stone.
Whenever scrubbing anything I just use any sort of NEW soft bristle brush you can find at the grocery store, home depot, whatever.
NEW brush young man.
Make sense?

 

[00W]

My LFS doesn't even have a phosphates tester. I am out of money completely from this algae situation. I have burned so much cash and its gone to nothing but more algae. I can't buy a test kit... Most people know I'm 14 and do not have a job yet.

I can send you a test kit if needed.
No worries we'll get it under control.

 

[cdemoss01]

Siphon out some tank water into a bucket.
Use that.
Sorta killing 2 birds with one stone.
Whenever scrubbing anything I just use any sort of NEW soft bristle brush you can find @The grocery store, home depot, whatever.
NEW brush young man.
Make sense?

Makes complete sense only NEW brushes. Siphoning out the water and replacing with new so a mini water change as well I guess. I think I will set the skimmer up as I'm doing it so it can help filtrate whatever comes off the rocks as I pull them out. Will the break in period stop it from filtrating?

 

[cdemoss01]

I can send you a test kit if needed.
No worries we'll get it under control.

I'm sure since christmas is coming around I can get a test kit eventually. Thank you for offering , not sure if I could accept that cause I know they are expensive.

 

[00W]

Makes complete sense only NEW brushes. Siphoning out the water and replacing with new so a mini water change as well I guess. I think I will set the skimmer up as I'm doing it so it can help filtrate whatever comes off the rocks as I pull them out. Will the break in period stop it from filtrating?

No.
Just hook the thing up.
If you have trouble, let us know.
Don't know what skimmer you decided to go with.

 

[00W]

I'm sure since christmas is coming around I can get a test kit eventually. Thank you for offering , not sure if I could accept that cause I know they are expensive.

No worries happy to do it just keep us posted.

 

[cdemoss01]

No.
Just hook the thing up.
If you have trouble, let us know.
Don't know what skimmer you decided to go with.

I got this. A "nano" Hob icecap skimmer. Its all I could do on short notice, one website said that its able to do 65 gallons on light bioload others said 65g on medium bioload. I will activate It today.

IceCap Nano 50 HOB Skimmer

Compact Hang On Back Filtration for Aquariums Ranging from 20-65 Gallons Footprint: 4.75" x 2" (4.75 x 4.75" w/pump and plumbing) | Height: 12" | Skimmer Pump: DCair 700

www.coralvue.com

 

[00W]

I got this. A "nano" Hob icecap skimmer. Its all I could do on short notice, one website said that its able to do 65 gallons on light bioload others said 65g on medium bioload. I will activate It today.

IceCap Nano 50 HOB Skimmer

Compact Hang On Back Filtration for Aquariums Ranging from 20-65 Gallons Footprint: 4.75" x 2" (4.75 x 4.75" w/pump and plumbing) | Height: 12" | Skimmer Pump: DCair 700

www.coralvue.com

Okay keep us posted.
Ice cap makes good products so good choice.

 

[cdemoss01]

Okay keep us posted.
Ice cap makes good products so good choice.

Yeah I made sure to pick a good brand. What carbon should I get? Chemi Pure elite? Blue? Regular?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Well what else can I add to help my tank even more? Can you think of anything else I could add? This is all nitrate issues basically. They never go down. You said to add a chemical to the water I use to rip clean? What should I add into the water?

Rarely will problems be solved chemically (with chemicals).
How are you testing the levels?
Are you using RODI unit or tap water from the faucet?
Other causes:
Lack of filtration
Insufficient water changes
Over feeding
Tap water
Salt mix high in Phos

 

[cdemoss01]

Rarely will problems be solved chemically (with chemicals).
How are you testing the levels?
Are you using RODI unit or tap water from the faucet?
Other causes:
Lack of filtration
Insufficient water changes
Over feeding
Tap water
Salt mix high in Phos

I'm using RODI unit. I cant test water my kit is expired. I started dosing reef elixir butt well just to help with stuff.

 

[armyvetheather]

Most of us constantly run a skimmer to remove phosphates/nitrates as it can. I would not suggest bleaching your rock, that may be counterproductive and likely will be. I would personally suggest dosing hydrogen peroxide 3% from the dollar store is fine. This will help remove algae. It sounds to me you are still in the young phases of the tank and what we call the "ugly phase". Mitigate what you can, but this will just have to go through the same process most of us have undergone and your tank will find it's balance. Chemi-clean is great but it will likely be a patch until you get through the ugly phase or until you balance out your nitrates/phosphates. My tank is over a year old and I still dose chemi-clean lightly during water changes. Are you doing water changes? 20% is necessary to ensure proper exchanges. This is a great community to ask questions so you're in the right place.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I'm using RODI unit. I cant test water my kit is expired. I started dosing reef elixir butt well just to help with stuff.

I recommend Hanna or Salifert kits and you , if your kit is expired may be getting false readings.

 

[Knucker]

I always stay away from Algae killing chemicals. As we all know coral has their own algae. Best to just lower your nitrates, phosphate and let the algae starve.

 

[cdemoss01]

Most of us constantly run a skimmer to remove phosphates/nitrates as it can. I would not suggest bleaching your rock, that may be counterproductive and likely will be. I would personally suggest dosing hydrogen peroxide 3% from the dollar store is fine. This will help remove algae. It sounds to me you are still in the young phases of the tank and what we call the "ugly phase". Mitigate what you can, but this will just have to go through the same process most of us have undergone and your tank will find it's balance. Chemi-clean is great but it will likely be a patch until you get through the ugly phase or until you balance out your nitrates/phosphates. My tank is over a year old and I still dose chemi-clean lightly during water changes. Are you doing water changes? 20% is necessary to ensure proper exchanges. This is a great community to ask questions so you're in the right place.

Tanks been going for about uh you know 4 years so.

 

[cdemoss01]

I recommend Hanna or Salifert kits and you , if your kit is expired may be getting false readings.

Im getting my mom to take me to walmart after school, we are buying socks and a bristlebrush. Should I use hydrogen peroxide? 3%? If I do do I soak the rocks or do I dip them?

 

[armyvetheather]

Tanks been going for about uh you know 4 years so.

And you haven't used a skimmer?

 

[cdemoss01]

And you haven't used a skimmer?

Never only hob