[Gookracing]

Needed your guys help. I have been out of saltwater aquarium few years now because of family issue. Now I wanted to start it back up. I do have all the equipment and us to be live rock, it have been put away for a few years so it’s all dry up and clean. The only problems is that I no longer live in the city area to get city water. I do have well water at my new house. If anyone have any information and pictures of how you guys set up by using well water please pm me with pictures.

 

[yak85]

PM’d you with some information

 

[Infected]

well water

I just got back into saltwater after an eight year break. I set up a 32g Biocube with well water and now I have a tank full of red slime. It has been 12 days since set up. I have completely turned my day lights off and only running moon lights. I purchased some hermit crabs and snails also a emerald green crab ( tested my water first I have done one water change 10% with RO/DI and I am due for another this weekend. Thinking about trying a toothbrush while vacuuming..ugh ...

 

[Gookracing]

I just got back into saltwater after an eight year break. I set up a 32g Biocube with well water and now I have a tank full of red slime. It has been 12 days since set up. I have completely turned my day lights off and only running moon lights. I purchased some hermit crabs and snails also a emerald green crab ( tested my water first I have done one water change 10% with RO/DI and I am due for another this weekend. Thinking about trying a toothbrush while vacuuming..ugh ...

Please keep let us update. Thanks

 

[Infected]

OK...so now I have my lights off (except for moon lights) for one week. Almost all the red slime is gone but now I have green hair algae. I read that my phosphate level maybe high so I need to test. This Sunday will be 3 weeks since I have started. I did a 10% water change with RO/DI and vacuumed a lot of the red slime up(came up very easy). One snail died, but emerald crab and hermit crabs are doing a great job. Going to stop at LFS tonight to ask some questions. Trying to stay positive

 

[Devon]

I moved 2 yrs ago to a house on a well. My RODI was working way too slow so I ended up adding a second RO membrane and a booster pump. I'm making 8g/ hr now. No issue with excessive TDS or anything other than production rate.

 

[Infected]

Update...lights still off green algae not growing but still present. Had my water tested at LFS, no phosphate (but LFS thinks it is reading zero because the algae is feeding on) nitrite 0.1ppm, nitrate 50, zero ammonia, pH 8.4, SpGr 1.026. I purchased some cerith snails. Also purchased phosphate media bag to remove. Fingers crossed I will be able turn my lights back on this weekend!

 

[zachogden]

Needed your guys help. I have been out of saltwater aquarium few years now because of family issue. Now I wanted to start it back up. I do have all the equipment and us to be live rock, it have been put away for a few years so it's all dry up and clean. The only problems is that I no longer live in the city area to get city water. I do have well water at my new house. If anyone have any information and pictures of how you guys set up by using well water please pm me with pictures.

I for one am excited. I remember one of your build threads from a few years ago.

 

[Infected]

lights still off, attached a UV sterilizer. Still have green algae. I don't understand because doesn't algae need light to survive? going on 3 weeks with lights off and algae thriving????? Snails cannot keep up with the growth. I think this weekend I am going to do a 50% water change take out live rock and scrub off all the algae I can. I don't know what else to do. All my tests come back WNL or zero??? Very frustrated....

 

[Jamie420]

trying to help cause that's what a forum does

Hi, are you sure your nitrate test is good? what brand are you using? Green hair algae has always been an nitrate issue in my experience.

 

[fishnerd1]

Looks like your still cycling. 50% wc will get the nitrate down to about 25 ppm. Die off will increase it again. I recommend getting some mb7 to kick the cycle and do 25% wc every week to get the nitrate under control and let the bacteria grow in. If you scrub off the rocks do it in tank water you pull for the wc, helps keep the bacteria alive. You probably have dead organic matter in your rock driving the cycle. I think you'll be fine in a few more weeks. Patients is hard but important.

 

[Jamie420]

I agree with fishnerd 100% patience is the hardest thing in reef keeping. There is very little instant gratification. time and patience

 

[Infected]

I am having my LFS do my water tests and my nitrate was 50. Phosphate was zero but LFS that was more than likely incorrect and that the algae was sucking all that up. Thanks for all advice and yes patience is not my best trait LOL but that is why I started reefing again to teach me patience HAHA! Here is hoping I can turn my lights on next week.... My snails deserve a medal they are troopers and doing a heck of a good job! Thanks again

 

[Infected]

Green hair algae almost gone. Nitrate is at zero. Lights still off. I am going to scrub the rest of the algae off this weekend and turn my lights back on. UV sterilizer seems to be working well. Then I am going to get my water tested at LFS and hopefully with a little luck I can start to look at some corals soon. Thanks for all the advice! I do appreciate it!

 

[SIR PATRICK]

Ive been running a saltwater reef for 4 years now, on a well and RO filter and until recently didn't even use DI- with no issues.