Lots of floating debris

I have a NUVO 8 and for the past week there has been a lot of debris floating in the tank. I have done 2 50% water changes in the past 10 days and it has helped but there is still a lot floating around. I haven't had this problem since the tank was started nearly 2 months ago.


Should I remove the media filter column and rinse it off? I can't see to figure out why there is so much debris. I used a turkey baster to get all the debris suspended in the water before siphoning for a WC. Suggestions are appreciated!


I did have a turbo snail and 4 nassarius snails after 5 weeks of starting the tank. The nassarius snails didn't make it and I had to remove the turbo because he kept running my coral frags over causing them to remain closed all the time. This might be a stupid question, but do you think it's just because there isn't a CUC in there? What snails would you recommend for this tank?

 

In such a small system it will be hard to keep true algae eating snails/inverts . Some will accept nori but its not really practical IMO.I aways like hermits for small tanks as they will eat a variety of things and do an excellent job.You will only need 4 max for that system depending on your livestock and feeding habits.I wouldn't mix crabs and snails and there are some smaller species of snail that will do the same job so its really up to you.I find hermits to be much more interesting and have never had any issues with them when kept in smaller numbers then is usually suggested by the vendors.They can clean an amazing ammount of rock for there size.
As far as the floating debris if you are using mechanical filtration just clean it regularly and whatever it is should go away. Pictures of the debris will help if possible.
You want to disturb this tank as little as possible.Constantly tinkering with small systems will lead to failure IME. Go slow.

 

What are your parameters? Any chance it is calcium precipitating out?

 

I am going slow lol, I have one fish and two coral frags and that's it. I tried to get pics but the debris doesn't really show up very well in the pics.

My parameters are as follows:
Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphates - .25
Ph - 8.0
Calcium - 440
Magnesium - 1380
Temp: 78.6°
SG: 1.026

 

Little hermits are defiantly a opportunity, what flow do you have, do you have any filtration sponges ?

 

I have a maxi-jet 600 as my pump which is rated 750GPH but it's definitely not near that much. The stock media is in the acrylic media tray (Mechanical Sponge, Activated Sponge and Phosphate Sponge) and I added a media bag of carbon. I also cut a polishing filter (for marineland canister filter) to fit over the tray in the overflow compartment.

 

Well the polishing sponge should definitely pick out the debris, depending on how small the pieces are.

 

Yea it is getting better day by day, I think my mistake was not stirring up the detritus with a baster before siphoning for a WC. I think after another week or two of WC it should be cleared up.