Why Ro Water Is Good For You And Your Tank

[SkiFletch]

Good point Crazy, I'd never thought about that

 

[Lynden]

If your tap water has chloramine in it instead of chlorine you can get ammonia from your conditioner as well. Chloramine is chlorine and ammonia combined and the conditioners seperate the two and then bond the chlorine out, leaving the ammonia to be taken care of by bacteria. Usually this is such a small amount compared to the level of bacteria that it wouldn't cause an effect. But if you have a very low supply of bacteria (such as a new cycling tank) you can get an ammonia spike from actually treating the tap water with conditioner.

I believe you, my friend, have hit the hammer on the nail-head, or however that saying goes.

That there post may have been ( no offense to everyone else who helped me out ) the most helpful statement I have heard in this entire year. The above explaination fits all of my problems! The last missing piece of the puzzle has now fit into place.

-Lynden

 

[Lynden]

So, the tank is cycled again. But before it did, the ammonia and nitrite went up to a level that the test kit couldn't measure ( the test kits go up to 6.1 and 3.3 PPM respectively) . I'll try to get my blenny back again.

In this pet store in a neighbouring town, I saw this beautiful maroon clown around 3.5'' and was instantly attached They don't get a lot of buisiness, so I hope he stays for a while.

Thanks guys, this thread will be my tank log now.
-Lynden sama:

 

[Lynden]

Well, my tank is back to being colourful again...

... in a bad way. Hair algae, Cyanobacteria, and more recently, a lime-green algae have covered the tank. But my nitrates are still too high for a cleanup crew (40 ppm) and water changes are limited.

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, that unfortunately will happen when using tapwater. Even though you've now switched to RO, it will take some time to void the tank of all the "fuel" that the cyanobacteria is using. Keep the faith and keep vaccuming it up. In a couple weeks you'll win

 

[Lynden]

Or, since my tank is completely devoid of bristleworms, tapeworms, zooanthids, isopods, ect. I could do the manly thing and just tear the crap off.

This morning I did that. I ended up with a fist size chunk. sama:
But get this: I can't even tell the difference between this morning and now!

my tank is completely devoid of bristleworms, tapeworms, zooanthids, isopods, ect.

Since the ammonia disaster, all of the organisms on my live rock were killed, it seems, except for a peanut worm of two. How urgent is it to get my rock seeded again?

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

I would say its not terribly urgent. You'd be surprised that there's probably things left alive in there, dont count your rock out yet . My main concern would be to be constantly pulling/vaccuming the hair/cyano algaes and be doing regular water changes with RO. Eventually you'll get ahead of the nuisance algaes. You might even consider a wholesale 100% water change with new RO+salt water. If all thats in there is really just a peanut worm or two, I'd get some big rubbermaid tubs, drain your tank, and re-fill with fresh water. You'll get a LOT of the nutrients out that way. The cyano will still be prevalent for a couple weeks, but that would be better than a couple months if that nutrient and DOC-rich water is left in there.

 

[Lynden]

Thanks for the advice, though I don't think that soluton is for me. I've waited weeks for my tank to get to the point it is at now, and I am an impatient person.

-Lynden

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, if you cant deal with the patience and since the tnak is allready pretty well nuked, try some "Red Slime Remover". I'd still do a 100% water change just to remove the fuel and help prevent future outbreaks though.

 

[Lynden]

I probably will end up doing a signifigant water change as soon as I get my RO unit.

I don't know if the Blenny did this, but part of my rock turned white upon his arrival. Cyanobacteria and Hair algae was in the space before.

-Lynden

You know what would be cool? If I could get my goddamn camera working well!

 

[SkiFletch]

You know what would be cool? If I could get my goddamn camera working well!

Now that would be cool

 

[Lynden]

Well, I removed the LR from my Aqua Clear 300 filter today and replaced it with a nitrate sponge material, Zeolite. The LR removal stirred up a lot of sh**, because the filter was a refugium before my 2nd tank crash. The sand bed was not very deep, and I hope I didn't stirr up any ammonia or cyanide pockets However, water flow was fairly good in the substrate, so I hope my fears are just parranoia.

The stirred up crap prompted me to place an AC mini next to the 300. In the mini, I put a large foam block, to get rid of the dead things.

So, things are going fairly well. I would pray for good fortune, but I'm agnostic

-Lynden

 

[Lynden]

Today, I topped up my tank with RO saltwater with an SG of 30 in an attempt to raise the salinity. All water parameters are still okay.

And, I added a Bar Goby to the tank. He hid, and I haven't seen him since.

 

[Matthew5664]

SG 30
?


Do you meen 1.030?

or 30ppm

 

[Mr Miagi]

SG 30
?


Do you meen 1.030?

or 30ppm

I thought he meant raised a low sg by adding a higher sg solution of 30ppm.