I'm confused...-Algae-3reef Forums

totter0817 · 04-22-2008, 08:19 AM

I've been having trouble lately with both hair and red algae. I always just thought that my water wasn't right and there was something wrong with params. So I went to my LFS and had him run a test on everything and they all came out where they were supposed to be. So how come I am still having hair algae growth and red algae covering my sand. I have lots of flow so, that possibly can't be it. Any one have any ideas. Oh yea, I keep buying fish and inverts that are supposed to take care of the hair algae, and the only reason I buy them is for that reason. My lawnmower blenny never touched my hair algae. Just bought a foxface and he hasn't barely touched the stuff either. I've bought turbos and mexican turbos, and all sorts of hermits and I find them everywhere BUT where the hair algae is. Sorry long post... just very frustrated

Anybody have any ideas of what to do???

Thanks guys I really don't know if my tank would have survived without this site- everybody on here does any awesome job of helping!

omard · 04-22-2008, 08:34 AM

All tanks go thru a series of algae growth cycles for 1st year or so...

Green hair algae is a curse I don't know how to deal with either. Have some in my Nano, but not any in 125 thankfully...Probably something in large tank keeping it under control, but am clueless to what. --- Also main tank has way more light which may be inhibiting its growth.

Cyno will eventually go away with vacuuming and increasing amount and frequency of water changes for a while.

Good luck.

wildreef · 04-22-2008, 08:54 AM

they do offer some slime killer ( powder form )
I have a "tad" of green hair algae appearing on rock , since i can get to it
Im considering tanking it out and "scrubbing it off with a stiff brush.

Water changes and keeping phosephates down help in the long run on that stuff.
It's a pain in the A$$ i know , you may have to wage some WAR on it
Also i use a old tooth brush and scrub off any i see immeditly .

totter0817 · 04-22-2008, 09:05 AM

I've used a few different types of powders. I don't like adding it too often. Over the past 3 months I've tried using it maybe 3 times. Worked miracles for about 3 days then red algae would come back. Hair algae just recently got out of control. I tried to pick as much of it off when I do water changes.

Tangster · 04-22-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totter0817

I've been having trouble lately with both hair and red algae. I always just thought that my water wasn't right and there was something wrong with params. Thanks guys I really don't know if my tank would have survived without this site- everybody on here does any awesome job of helping!

After seeing the SPS coral issue what are the parameters at in your tank ? Calcium alk and Mag is what I'm thinking are off ? Test and let use know, I think you would be better off fixing the cause rather then hiding the symptoms with Antibiotics

totter0817 · 04-22-2008, 09:09 AM

Tangster you help so much!
My boyfriend took the water to the LFS to test, we dont have a full testing kit. Apparently they tested for all that- they tested for everything and said everything came back in normal param's. I don't know exact numbers sorrt- I'm not much help.

Tangster · 04-22-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totter0817

Tangster you help so much!
My boyfriend took the water to the LFS to test, we dont have a full testing kit. Apparently they tested for all that- they tested for everything and said everything came back in normal param's. I don't know exact numbers sorrt- I'm not much help.

Ger yourself a good DKH and Ca and Mag kits if the tank is matured most LFS people I known and have had the pleasure to deal with would be hard pressed to find their own Butts in the dark using both hands (: I think the issue is lack of DKH or Alakanlity or carbonates all three mean the samething.. Afterseeing your thread with the Staghorn sps along with the cyano issue I'm guessing the DKH is low or lack of Carbonates to off set acids .. But it could also be Calcium ? SPS corals require lots of Ca. and alk and Mag to live and grow these levels that are required by the SPS corals is not what a Cyano bacteria likes to live in..

Tangster · 04-22-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totter0817

Tangster you help so much!
My boyfriend took the water to the LFS to test, we dont have a full testing kit. Apparently they tested for all that- they tested for everything and said everything came back in normal param's. I don't know exact numbers sorrt- I'm not much help.

Get yourself a good DKH and Ca and Mag kits if the tank is matured most LFS people I known and have had the pleasure to deal with would be hard pressed to find their own Butts in the dark using both hands (: I think the issue is lack of DKH or Alkalinity or carbonates all three mean the same thing.. After seeing your thread with the Staghorn sps along with the cyano issue I'm guessing the DKH is low or lack of Carbonates to off set acids .. But it could also be Calcium ? SPS corals require lots of Ca. and alk and Mag to live and grow these levels that are required by the SPS corals is not what a Cyano bacteria likes to live in..

With out test kits it only an experienced guess by me but this is the areas I'd look at first myself. Cyanos are a anaerobic bacterium and like warmer acidic less calcium rich waters with low oxygen. the red and green fuzz covering is not the cause of the problem its just the cocoon the bacteria builds to protects its self from oxygen . What is the high temp during the day of your tanks ? That may be worth looking into also.

totter0817 · 04-22-2008, 10:02 AM

Thanks Tangster- I will have to check into all of this and get back with you. My high temp is about 76-77. The highest it ever was 79. That was only for one day thought about 3 months ago- I was still adjusting the heaters.

Jason McKenzie · 04-22-2008, 10:25 AM

I 100% agree with Tangster. Get some good test kits. This will help in knowing the numbers you have. they knowing the changes in these numbers as you adjust and change thing is very valuable.
Very often Nitrates and Phosphates are not detected in high levels by test kits because the Algae is eating it as food. If we can elliminate the source of the Nutrients we can elliminate the algae.

How old is the tank? How old are the Bulbs? You have a fairly high bio load in a 75G. Perhaps feeding less and skimming more would help