Before I post the questions here are the tank specs:

30 Gallon Long - no protein skimmer - no sump

Modded AC70 with surface skimmer - (contains chaeto, chemi-pure elite, purigen and filter floss)

Lighting: T5HO - 2 x 39watt - 10k and actinic bulbs

Flow: Koralia 1 and Koralia Nano

Live stock: Cinammon clown, clown goby, spotted shrimp goby, green chromis and 6 line

CUC: 30 dwarf cerith snails, 7 nassarius snails, 10 misc small hermits.

Coral: Softies, LPS and SPS

Water Parameters:

Ammo 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5-10
Calcium 440
alk and mag - untested

Question 1 - I don't normally use a turkey baster to clean off my rocks. I did some tank cleaning today and a TON of crap came off my rocks.

How often should I clean the rocks? Is it normal for a lot of junk to come off them?


Question 2 - Is 12 hours of 10k and actinic too much?

Question 3 - Despite my use of filter floss I am still seeing a lot of fine particles in my water. The water is clear but you can see lots of particles still in the water. Any ideas?

i spray my rocks twice a week

I'm going to start doing that. Gonna get more flow in there too.

blow off once or twice a week.

Add more flow

This time for lights is fine

Add more powerful filtration

Detritus can also be removed by siphoning; using the tubing for an aquarium air pump is helpful in getting down into small crevices.

Your nitrate level is in the normal range, indicating you don't have to be very worried about too much detritus or other particles in the tank.

Read the T5HO information thread in the lighting forum. Upgrading your bulbs will help a lot; I'm interested to know how your SPS are doing since offhand your lighting doesn't sound strong enough for good coloration.

Thanks for the info. I will check out that thread and upgrade them ASAP.

The SPS are doing surprisingly well. The birdsnest is showing noticeable growth in only a week and a half. The acro is also looking to do well its polyps are extended. I'm hoping that it doesn't lose any color over time.

I have both of them on the frag rack which is high up to the light. I guess time will tell as far as color goes. When I bought the birds nest it was more white than pink. It has actually started to get more pink.