Fyi-dom-Water Chemistry-3reef Forums

coral reefer · 05-27-2007, 06:34 PM

I read an interesting way to check if your DOM(dissolved organic matter) is too high in your tank! DOM is responsible for the decreased amount of light reaching your corals first and foremost!
Take a piece of white paper and attach it to one side of your tank. Once that is done, go to the other side of your tank and look across the tank...if the color of the paper is not clear or white in color, your DOM is to high!!!! Better skimming, water change water flow increase will help with this problem!
Pretty cool idea!!!!!!

Tangster · 05-28-2007, 06:42 AM

Thats about half of the good old idea .. for the last 40 yrs we have always used a piece of white plastic like a old bleach bottle or white sheet of paper and then we used a yellow crayon or marker to paint a yellow patch then if you look through the tank and can't see the yellow then you should have been running or change you carbon. Now tank length makes a difference. And if you run a refugium then you need carbon more as the water is more yellowish from the leeching chlorophylls

Diver_1298 · 05-28-2007, 08:54 AM

You forgot to mention that you have to scrape the algae off the side of your tank first

Jim

emtp380 · 05-28-2007, 09:23 AM

Tanster, if a refuguim is used where would the carbon be placed in the system?

Tangster · 05-28-2007, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emtp380

Tanster, if a refuguim is used where would the carbon be placed in the system?

I hang a specimen cup like LFS use to hold and catch fish on the inside of my sump and allow all the skimmer outlet to pass through that also use a bit of floss as well. Carbon is the single best element one can add to a system to keep the water crystal clear..

Kentanner11 · 05-28-2007, 11:35 AM

Interesting idea. would anyone do that when they go to buy coral at a LFS?? Lol ummm. sir what are you doing, lol!

coral reefer · 05-28-2007, 12:32 PM

Best place to place carbon is in a moderate to high flow area of your sump. Even in a hang on filter or cannister filter...

coral reefer · 05-28-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangster

Thats about half of the good old idea .. for the last 40 yrs we have always used a piece of white plastic like a old bleach bottle or white sheet of paper and then we used a yellow crayon or marker to paint a yellow patch then if you look through the tank and can't see the yellow then you should have been running or change you carbon. Now tank length makes a difference. And if you run a refugium then you need carbon more as the water is more yellowish from the leeching chlorophylls

Photosynthetic Pigments
The yellowing color found in water is called(GELBSTOFF) Humic and fulvic acids are the constituents of this coloration. DOM is a indicator of your water quality as high levels are bad for coral growth and are made up of organic compounds that are used as a food source for corals!
Chlorophyll is what gives algae/plants/zooxanthellae its primary GREEN color! This, along with accessory pigments etc. and are not released in the water, but give color to coral tissue as well as being responsible for the production of carbohydrates during photosynthesis!
Green water would probably be a result of excess PHYTOPLANKTON found in your water...
TERPENE may also be responsible for the smell and coloration in your water as it is evident, especially in tanks housing Octocorals(soft corals). These are chemical compounds that are manufactured and released into the water by soft coral, for anti-predation and competition!
Fish and other livestock waste and respiration suspended in the pelagic area of your tank may add to water coloration/quality issues as well, unfortunately...
Yes, carbon will help to keep this level low along with effective and efficient skimming!

Tangster · 05-28-2007, 02:56 PM

Well I guess you care more about what its called then I do I'm just in the hobby for the corals and fish keeping portion of it.. But at the end of the day its a yellowing agent that carbon will solve.. Tannins also for that matter ? My tank does not suffer the issue. or problem ..

coral reefer · 05-28-2007, 03:16 PM

Just trying to offer advice and educate people is all. Has nothing to do with with caring about what it is called.
Glad you don't have a problem with excess DOM, but unfortunately their are fellow reefers that do and this advice is aimed at them, needing advice and help!
I am also in the hobby for the enjoyment of the corals, fish and inverts, like you, but also enjoy helping and educating other reefers. Water parameters and chemistry, as you know, play a big part in the succes of our tanks! I am offering constructive feedback as I would appreciate the same to learn.