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Need help with algae problem!!!


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#1 hapka16

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Posted 27 June 2008 - 09:05 AM

I've had my tank set up for almost 2 years and is extremely stable. My water parameters are awesome pH -8.2, nitrate/ite and ammonia and 0 ppm, calcium at 480, and phospates at 0. However, i'm having a problem with an algae outbreak that doesn't seem to go away. I've tried cutting the amount of nutrients in the water by decreasing the amount of food and by stopping using flake food. Can someone please help me?
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What kind of algae is this or is it Cyano? And what can i do to get rid of it cuz it's already killed on coral by smothering it to death?

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30g. tank, Catalina Aquarium Solar T-5 HO 6x39 light, aquaC remora skimmer, canister filter, 55 lbs of live rock Koralia #2 and nano, lawnmower blenny, ocellaris clown, ebli angel, reef hermits, handful of snail (trochus, nassarius, fighting conch), and serpent star. white pom pom xenia, hammer coral, kenya tree, mushrooms(superman,green striped, purple,and orange),fox coral, zoos, leathers(finger, toadstool), and one lonely SPS.

#2 j'field

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Posted 27 June 2008 - 10:37 AM

Hi hapka16, as you were saying that your nitrate and phosphate reading are perfect and you also have lots of snails(your snails not doing a good job), I was quite surprise that you still have algae outbreak. It seems like some kinda diatoms or hairy algae to me.

But are you using DI/RO water for your saltmix?
Running a FR with phosphate removal media?
Increase the flow in your tank?

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#3 hapka16

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Posted 27 June 2008 - 01:52 PM

QUOTE(j'field @ Jun 26 2008, 08:37 PM) View Post

Hi hapka16, as you were saying that your nitrate and phosphate reading are perfect and you also have lots of snails(your snails not doing a good job), I was quite surprise that you still have algae outbreak. It seems like some kinda diatoms or hairy algae to me.

But are you using DI/RO water for your saltmix?
Running a FR with phosphate removal media?
Increase the flow in your tank?

blush.gif

I am using RO water. What is a FR though? I am running a canister filter with ceramic media and a pouch of Purigen to aid in phosphate removal. as far as flow...my canister filter runs at about 315 GPH and then i have a koralia 2 and nano powerhead. I've never had an algae problem in the 4 years i've been keeping reef tanks. I've even helped friends get rid of there problems. I'm clueless?????
30g. tank, Catalina Aquarium Solar T-5 HO 6x39 light, aquaC remora skimmer, canister filter, 55 lbs of live rock Koralia #2 and nano, lawnmower blenny, ocellaris clown, ebli angel, reef hermits, handful of snail (trochus, nassarius, fighting conch), and serpent star. white pom pom xenia, hammer coral, kenya tree, mushrooms(superman,green striped, purple,and orange),fox coral, zoos, leathers(finger, toadstool), and one lonely SPS.

#4 j'field

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Posted 27 June 2008 - 02:05 PM

QUOTE(hapka16 @ Jun 27 2008, 01:52 PM) View Post

I am using RO water. What is a FR though? I am running a canister filter with ceramic media and a pouch of Purigen to aid in phosphate removal. as far as flow...my canister filter runs at about 315 GPH and then i have a koralia 2 and nano powerhead. I've never had an algae problem in the 4 years i've been keeping reef tanks. I've even helped friends get rid of there problems. I'm clueless?????


Hi hapka16, think what I would do is to do a water change, cleans the canister filter just in case it's traps any debritus. Reduce the lighting period by maybe an hour. As for FR is fluidized reactor.
How often do you clean your canister? Think is important to clean and change the media regularly too. blush.gif

That's all that I can think of. blush.gif
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Actually almost a cube: L65cm x W60cm x H60cm / Return pump: Atman 5000l/h / Lightings: 8 x T5HO Retrofit, 2 Aqua Blue Special, 2 Blue Plus, 2 Actinic, 2 Pro Color / External Controller for lights / Chiller: Haliea HC-500A 1/4hp / FR: Skimz-150 w Sorb4 / Skimmer: Deltec APF600 / Crys Pro DI/RO unit (3 stage filter)/ 2 return pipe tee-off with 2 Hydor flo / Wavemaker: 3 x Hydro Nano

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#5 hapka16

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Posted 27 June 2008 - 11:31 PM


I clean my canister filter about once every 2 weeks. I've taken out all the foam pads and use it stricly for biological filtration (except for the purigen). I do monthly 15% water changes, but maybe i should increase the frequency. Thanks for the help.
30g. tank, Catalina Aquarium Solar T-5 HO 6x39 light, aquaC remora skimmer, canister filter, 55 lbs of live rock Koralia #2 and nano, lawnmower blenny, ocellaris clown, ebli angel, reef hermits, handful of snail (trochus, nassarius, fighting conch), and serpent star. white pom pom xenia, hammer coral, kenya tree, mushrooms(superman,green striped, purple,and orange),fox coral, zoos, leathers(finger, toadstool), and one lonely SPS.

#6 Vanquish

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Posted 28 June 2008 - 12:04 AM

Try using some PO4 removal media in a reactor that allows the media to be "fluidised"... smile.gif Are you haveing lots of those algae in the tank or only certain areas?

#7 peacemaker

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Posted 28 June 2008 - 12:48 AM

What's your lighting period, and do you have a chiller?

#8 hapka16

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Posted 28 June 2008 - 05:21 AM


I'm having algae sporadicly around the tank. I think it's starting to go away now that i've added purigen to my canister filter. How much do FR's usually run? None of my friends have every had one and I've now surpased them in knowledge of reefkeeping, which doesn't say much for them. This only shows you how much i still need to learn to get tanks like everyone on this forum. My lighting schedule is actinics on from 10am to 10pm and 10k/6500K on from 11am-9pm.
30g. tank, Catalina Aquarium Solar T-5 HO 6x39 light, aquaC remora skimmer, canister filter, 55 lbs of live rock Koralia #2 and nano, lawnmower blenny, ocellaris clown, ebli angel, reef hermits, handful of snail (trochus, nassarius, fighting conch), and serpent star. white pom pom xenia, hammer coral, kenya tree, mushrooms(superman,green striped, purple,and orange),fox coral, zoos, leathers(finger, toadstool), and one lonely SPS.

#9 Vanquish

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Posted 28 June 2008 - 05:50 AM

From the way I see it... you do have very low levels of po4.... use some po4 removal media in a reactor and you'll get even better results... you should see coralline algae growing profusely and you can feed mre to the fishes too! Stay awy from flake foods though, they pack alot of po4! tongue.gif





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