jsr Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hey everyone. I have no more fish in the tank so is there any need to run the skimmer? All that left are about 50 snails and crabs. I am fighting a hair algae issue so I sold the fish and plan to let the tank sit with no lights for a while. Is it worth running the skimmer during this time? Tank has been running for 1 year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hey everyone. I have no more fish in the tank so is there any need to run the skimmer? All that left are about 50 snails and crabs. I am fighting a hair algae issue so I sold the fish and plan to let the tank sit with no lights for a while. Is it worth running the skimmer during this time? Tank has been running for 1 year. When i was fighting hair algae I left my skimmer running, I also added a sea hare and watched him eat the whole tank clean within 3 weeks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Thought about adding one as well. I was also thinking I could remove the skimmer and use that space for a fuge. So then the question is...which is better to have at this point, a skimmer or a fuge? I know my phosphate levels are around 0.5, everything else is 0's. I have also been running a PhosBan reactor but it's just not bringing them down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tang Salad Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 You probably do not want to remove the skimmer. As the algae dies and decomposes, the skimmer will pull the organics out of the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 Do you think a skimmer will be more benificial to the tank then a fuge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tang Salad Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Do you think a skimmer will be more benificial to the tank then a fuge? That is a difficult comparison to make. Ideally, you would have both. If I was in your position, and had removed all fish to fight a HA problem, I would keep tank dark (including ambient/sunlight) for several weeks while skimming heavily. After a week or so of darkness go in there and scrub and siphon out as much alage as you can. Repeat this several times, all the while skimming as aggressively as possible. At the end of it all, do a large water change and see how your nutrient levels are. How is your skimmer working? Does it take out much skimmate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 The skimmer is pulling less these days. Thats is why I was thinking of pulling it out and adding a fuge. The only way I can go completely dark is to place a tarp over the tank. There are windows close to the tank but the blinds are always closed. The tank lights have been off for about a month now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 You could get some dark colored poster boards, cut them to fit the glass, and tape them up there. Or tape up some of those black trash bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatfouz Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 add a towel. drape a large towel or two over the tank. black out all the light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 Thanks everyone. Should the snails be okay with what little algae is in the tank? The only ones I worry about are the nassarious (spelled wrong). Should they be okay as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ACampbell Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 If you're starting over from ground zero, why don't you just cook your rock. It will go faster, and there's less chance of some of that ninja algae coming back. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 I will be doing that once I get some additional rock. I am going to wait for that big IRS return and buy another 100 pounds of rock. I was thinking of getting some marco rocks and seeding it with a few pieces of my current rock. I will kill the rocks that have algae growing on them. It's strange, there are only a few rocks that will grow the algae. It never goes to the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I would leave the skimmer running. The only reason I chose the skimmer in this case over the fuge is that it will take a while to establish an effective fuge, and it will be money out of your pocket, while the skimmer is relatively free, is already working, and keeps the oxygen levels in good shape. Either way the nassarius (vibex) snail is a hardy snail in my experience. They don't die easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bananags Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 how long can HA stay alive w/o light? you said one month already make me wonder if you still leak some light in the tank or you have some crazy algae i would think 2 weeks of 100% darkest will kill HA ? any scientific research on this =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropy Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Hair algae can hang on for months IMO. I think you should cook the rock. I know that sucks, but it is the only way to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I think your natural sunlight maybe your biggest culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 All the more reason to build the tank in the wall! I am still trying to talk my wife into that. So even if the sun does not shine directly into the tank, it could still cause algae? The room where my tank sites gets the morning sun but the light does not come directly into the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsr Posted January 30, 2008 Author Share Posted January 30, 2008 Thank you everyone. I appreciate the replies and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.