[shempdevil]

Need to improve overall quality of Reef Tank

I am relatively a marine tank novice, although I established a small reef tank over a year ago.
I think that I need a better balance of life in this aquarium.
Every week, the glass gets green algae on it that I must scrape off.
Every 2 weeks, a thick "dust" appears on my corals and live rock.

I am tired of going through the same cleaning every week and I bet if I had a better mix of critters in there, they would help to keep it in better condition. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Inventory is below:

AQUARIUM INVENTORY


TANK: 20 Gallon High Aquarium
FILTER: Penguin 125 Bio-Wheel
LIGHTS: Odyssea 24” 2 x 65W (12000K Daylight & Blue 03 Actinic) (2 LED Moon Lights)
HEATER
JET PUMP

SUBSTRATE

20 lb Live Sand
20 lb Fiji Live Rock

FISH

(1) 2” Valentini Puffer
(1) 4” Algae Blenny
(1) 3” Bangghai Cardinal
(1) 2” Blue Devil (Female)

INVERTS

(1) 2” Emerald Crab
(8) Astrea Snails

[dragonladylea]

I would get a phosphate test kit - Phophates contribute to the growth of algae. As for the "dust" sounds like your not getting enough current so maybe a powerhead. I would also up the sandbed cleaning critters, maybe some Nass snails, spagetti worms, sandsifting stars. I'm sure someone else will have other ideas to.

[ANGRY JOHN]

alge growth is fueled by somthing so it is comming in the water you make the mix with or by overfeeding. check your source to see if you have any phosphates or any other alge fuel. i would also change out the bio wheel for a protien skimmer. you seem to have suficent live rock and sand that it would not be required and a more natural cycle could be occuring. as for tank maint. well there are ways to minimise but you will always have to do some... a protien skimmer should lighten the work you do because it removes possable algal fuels before they can be broken down to growth substances.... best of luck.

[shempdevil]

I have little knowledge of Skimmers. What brand/size would you suggest I purchase? I will also grab a new Jet pump. Any suggestions there?
The jet that I currently have gets gunked up with purple crusty calcium-like stuff and then the head won't oscillate.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

[ANGRY JOHN]

for better water circulation i always recomend maxi-jets. they work well and do not have problems when used with wave makers. my favorite small protien skimmer is the aqua-c remora with the maxi-jet upgrade. do not have any love for rio pumps and that is what they come with standard. another option i also like is the precesion marine hot skimmer. althought i have not used it i have used some of their products and they always work well and are very well constructed. powerheds will become pluged up after a few months and most recomend cleaning every 3-6 months. soaking them in vinigar removes any calcium buildup.

[BubbaWPB]

I thought scraping algae off the glass and blasting detruitus off of stuff in the tank was part of regular tank maintenance....

[shempdevil]

BUBBA...name kinda says it all.
Thanks for the advice.
************************

(edited by ME)

[BubbaWPB]

Originally Posted by shempdevil

BUBBA...name kinda says it all.
Thanks for the advice.

I'm not sure I understand your response. Please explain.

[charlie]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

I thought scraping algae off the glass and blasting detruitus off of stuff in the tank was part of regular tank maintenance....

Me too

[vtec si]

Originally Posted by charlie

Me too

Me three