General Care Discussion :: Grossed/Freaked Out

[VeipaCray]

Is a moss ball the same thing as a marimo ball? I'm thinking what I asked about one time was called a marimo ball. I've seen reference to moss ball and marimo ball, so I went with the technical term algae ball thing. LOL

Algae ball thing is probably more accurate. Yes they are one in the same. I mean someone who is super into algae balls can correct me here as there are different strains of algae and such... but for the purpose you are seeking... to have it remove nutrients from the water, they are effectively the same thing.

[devilduck]

Marimo balls = moss balls = Cladophora balls = "tribbles" are balls of rare form of hair algae. Other than wringing out every now and then, they are the most low maintenance plant you can have. They need little light and grow extremely slowly.

I have two softball sized ones in my tank. Some turtles will rip them to shreds and leave a mess or try to eat them. My turtle leaves them alone for the most part. He either stands on them or kicks them around when he swims, which in fact keeps them round and healthy.

[Mom2RES]

I am going to the best store today to get a/some moss balls. I have a 125 gallon tank that is basically full to where Angelina only has enough room to get up on her basking platform (probably 3 or 4 inches from the top). How many moss balls do I need?

Also if I get the moss balls, will there be enough algae to sustain a pleco? If the moss balls can keep all the algae at bay and Angelina doesn't eat them/tear them up, I'd rather go that route simply because the pleco will just create more poo.

I'm also wondering if I should invest in another filter. I have an FX5, but I'm wondering if having a smaller filter with the intake on the opposite end of the FX5 intake would help anything. I'm not sure it would since my water is in good shape. Thoughts?

[VeipaCray]

A single FX5 on your 125G tank should be plenty. If your ammonia and nitrite are measuring 0 and the water is clear then the filter is doing the job.

You might also try adding a bit of GFO (see the algae sticky in habitat indoor) to the filter media to help remove some of the phosphates in the water.

[Mom2RES]

Yea, my water readings are great. The water is clear. I do think I smell a slight odor to the water though.

Ahhh... I forgot about the GFO. I've read that algae sticky many times, but forgot about that. I'll look for that while I'm out. If I can't find it, I'll order some.

Where would I put it in the canister? The bottom and middle basket have bio media. The top basket has a little bio media, carbon and purigen. I may have too much carbon in there. I *think* I have the Seapora Filter Media Bags. I *think* it must be the medium size. I can't find measurements for the medium on online. Definately not the small one 5" X 3" and I don't think it is the large one 8" X 6". I think it is somewhere in between. Anyway I have the bag packed full. Is that too much. Should I use less and add the GFO there?

[VeipaCray]

Yeah the GFO would go in the part of the filter where the carbon / purigen is. If theres any room in there, you can just smash a bag of the GFO in with what you already have. You probably won't see overnight results with the GFO, but it will help over time.

Bulk Reef Supply sells GFO in bulk for cheap. Most local pet stores that have a saltwater section will carry the name brand called "phosban". A third option is a product from Boyd called "chemipure elite". Chemipure elite is a mixture of carbon and GFO in a single product.

[Mom2RES]

VeipaCray you probably want to shoot me. With the chemipure elite it states it lasts up to six months. So the carbon would last that long? I wouldn't need new carbon to take care of my water during water changes? I didn't think carbon lasted that long.

If you had a choice, which would you use... the GFO (either in bulk or brandname) or chemipure elite?

[devilduck]

I'd start with 1 or 2 balls, they need room to roll around to keep round and healthy, see if your turtle attacks them or not. If not they are cheaper to order bulk on line.

I think their ability to keep algae at bay is overstated. They are such a slow growing plant I don't think they use up as much nutrients as people say. So if your looking at these as a source of algae control this may not be a solution. You maybe better off with fast growing stem plants like anacharis, Ludwigia, Cabomba, water lettuce, etc.

I am going to the best store today to get a/some moss balls. I have a 125 gallon tank that is basically full to where Angelina only has enough room to get up on her basking platform (probably 3 or 4 inches from the top). How many moss balls do I need?

Also if I get the moss balls, will there be enough algae to sustain a pleco? If the moss balls can keep all the algae at bay and Angelina doesn't eat them/tear them up, I'd rather go that route simply because the pleco will just create more poo.

I'm also wondering if I should invest in another filter. I have an FX5, but I'm wondering if having a smaller filter with the intake on the opposite end of the FX5 intake would help anything. I'm not sure it would since my water is in good shape. Thoughts?

[VeipaCray]

VeipaCray you probably want to shoot me. With the chemipure elite it states it lasts up to six months. So the carbon would last that long? I wouldn't need new carbon to take care of my water during water changes? I didn't think carbon lasted that long.

If you had a choice, which would you use... the GFO (either in bulk or brandname) or chemipure elite?

Carbon doesn't last that long. The lifespan of carbon is determined by how much gunk there is in the water. There's unfortunately no way to measure it so we just follow a generic rule of thumb - clean you filter monthly & change your carbon while you have the filter open.

I would go with bulk generic GFO.... it's much less expensive. Having a bag of GFO laying next to a separate bag of carbon allows you to taylor how much of each is in your filter at any given time. The GFO lasts longer than carbon, so if you only want to change the GFO every other month you have that option by going separate. Chemipure Elite is great stuff... it's very easy and convenient and like most connivence items there's a price premium.

And no, I don't want to shoot you. You ask very intelligent questions and you've obviously done research / are doing research in the best interest of your turtle And is why I'm here.

[VeipaCray]

I'd start with 1 or 2 balls, they need room to roll around to keep round and healthy, see if your turtle attacks them or not. If not they are cheaper to order bulk on line.

Yes having two balls is a good thing.

I think their ability to keep algae at bay is overstated. They are such a slow growing plant I don't think they use up as much nutrients as people say. So if your looking at these as a source of algae control this may not be a solution. You maybe better off with fast growing stem plants like anacharis, Ludwigia, Cabomba, water lettuce, etc.

Anacharis is a very good choice as it's not rooted... it consumes all of its needed nutrients from the water.

[Mom2RES]

ACK!!! It appears my little tiny white dots are now turning into white worms. This sucks.

I went and bought anacharis and one moss ball this evening. I put them in the tank and sit down to watch just a minute before I get ready to start the evening route for my girls. Low and behold I see two white worms crawling on the glass.

I tell you... I feel so defeated right now. I've done everything I know to do to give Angelina a good environment. I invested in the 125 gallon tank long before I needed it. I invested in the FX5. She has her basking area with the correct lights. I have water thermometers and one in her baskin area. She is fed like I've read she should be fed. She has the correct heater. And now I have creepy crawlys in my tank.

So I am still at least a week away from from being able to empty the tank, clean everything and start all over. Will Angelina be ok until then? And I think I asked this but didn't get an answer. Does anyone know if I completely empty my tank clean everything and fill with new water, will the tank have to cycle again? I assume yes. Will it take less time since my bio media already had the bacteria built up?

The thought of completely new water makes me SICK as I just got my best water test readings since I set this tank up in January.

My next question is how do I go about cleaning everything? What do I use? How do I clean the sand? Plants?

This plain and simply STINKS!!!

[VeipaCray]

If you keep the bio media wet, the bacteria won't die and there should be no cycle. Of course the sand good part of your bio filter....

Sand there's no way to clean it. Larva for your creepy crawlers could be all in there. Replace it or bake it to kill any organisms.

Live plants....give them a 10-15 minute dip in saltwater. If you're a bit more desperate, you can try a flatworm exit dip.

To clean the tank and other stuff...use white vinegar then rinse.

[Mom2RES]

When you say bake, I assume you mean in the oven? I read somewhere to rinse it real good and then lay it out in the hot sun. Then I got to thinking... what would keep something from crawling in there while it was outside and then that being in my tank?

She ate pretty much all of the anacharis already. There are a few pieces left but not much. She made a mess with it too.

It looks like she might have tried to take a bite of the moss ball. Either she didn't like it or she'll return to it once all the anacharis is gone.

I should have known... she LOVES her veggies. She has never not eaten anything I've given to her. She rips into a piece of lettuce like there is no tomorrow. LOL

[VeipaCray]

Yeah, you need to kill the creepy crawlies. Easier to get a new bag of sand for $5-10 but if you want to just reuse the sand you have... apply heat. Enough heat to kill whatever may have made that their home.

[SINI5T3R]

i would buy gold fish or minnows and those bugs would almost 100% be gone within 2 days.