Tank getting pounded by algae

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Ryan Duchatel, Oct 4, 2012.

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  1. ekboi83

    ekboi83 Plankton

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    Hi Ryan, I had the same problem in my tank when it was around 2 months old.. I had that purple and green algae and also the bubble problem.. i couldn't figure out what it was, i change my water a couple time and still the same problem.. i finally bought a cleaner crew and phosban and carbon reator from bulk reef supply and i could tell the difference after 3 days of use.. after a week all the algae was gone completely!!! and no more bubbles.. I think you got bubble b/c not enough flow rate..
     
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  3. Ryan Duchatel

    Ryan Duchatel Millepora

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    Ok team, time for an algae update.

    After about a month since starting this thread, the algae has dimished substantially. I have way decreased cyano, and little bubble algae.

    - I have been really strict on my maintenance routine, doing 10% water changes, and finally with a vaccum that can suck it up.
    - I have started dosing the prodibio line of goodies.
    - I have got a chiller on the tank, so the temperature is consistent at 25 degrees celcius instead of fluctuating around 30.
    - I have bought a few more snails etc, but the clean up crew is still not big enough, when I have some spare cash I will add more.
    - I have gone to an alternate lighting cycle on my sump.

    I have also recently just bought a NPX biopellet reactor. So I will adding this most likely tomorrow, im just trying to figure out how I can get it in the sump neatly. How much flow should go through a biopellet reactor? as well as GFO reactor? Because I think it might not be enough flow in the reactor? I think its only running approx 300Lph.

    I do want to add a cannister filter for extra mechanical filtration as well as a UV sterilizer, but I am running out of power points lol.

    Been a dissapointing month over all through. I ventured into SPS for the first time, with my two frags getting RTN in like the first week lol. I have also lost one of my chromis (not sure), a clownfish (swim bladder blockage) and a royal dotty (dead after 1 day from the LFS).

    But my favs are still going well. My other clown is housing my nem, who is looking great, my clam has coloured up amazingly and my flame angel and flasher wrasse are as active as ever.
     
  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Moving in the right direction.

    Did you get the RO/DI systems? That is much much more important than a canister.

    A canister if you already have a sump seems to be miss spent money in my opinion. Your rock if adequate and a skimmer will do much more than a canister will ever do.

    A uv filter I can understand.
     
  5. surfnthreef

    surfnthreef Flamingo Tongue

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  6. Ryan Duchatel

    Ryan Duchatel Millepora

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    I have an RODI water system, which I have had for about two months now. I think its definately doing a good job.

    What equipment do you run on your tanks?

    I am seriously considering a canister, but I dont have any space under tank, as the sump fills it completely. So I would have to have it behind the tank, which isnt a huge problem as my chiller is there to, but it will limit accessibility, which I am trying to maintain to a degree.
     
  7. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

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    Glad things are improving.

    On my 125, I have about 45X DT turnover/hr- this includes powerheads obviously as well as the return from the sump.
    I use a DIY sump that bascically has a budget- but aweosme skimmer, and a very large area of Chaeto that all the water filter thru to get to the return pump and back to the DT.
    In my sump a smaller powerhead feeds my UV filter- an 18W turbo model, and it also feeds into my DIY phosgurad reactor.

    I don;'t have any 'sand' in my sump, and a thin layer of crushed coral- very fine in my DT.

    I do also have at least 100#'s of very healthy LR- corraline covered, etc.

    I had some cyano even with params that said 0 on the feeders for it.
    After the addition of my

    DIY phosguard reactor (a gatorade bottle with PhosGuard in it), within 2 weeks it was all gone and stayed gone.


    *I feel that my adding a Cannister to your setup- you are adding a huge burden on upkeep to keep it from being a 'bad stuff' factory- as has been said.

    I realize all systems are different and different demands on them,
    keep the faith! and Keep on reefing!
     
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  9. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    Take it from someone that has a canister and am keeping it, DO NOT add a canister. Mine I use to run GFO and GAC and I keep it for that and extra water movement. You already have these things running so there is no benefit to adding a canister IMO. Without constant upkeep, you will get an increase in nitrate guaranteed and then have to figure out a way to reduce them :)
     
  10. sail33

    sail33 Plankton

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    First, I have yet to find any post saying a canister filter should be added to a marine system. Not trying to take a stand on that. If you like em, use em.

    I think one of the best ways to combat algae is an algae turf scrubber

    I may have recommended this already but take a look at this decide if it's right for you.
    Yes, it's to about 175 pages but you should be able to pick out what works. After much discussion on the thread, the best way to light it is with 660 nm red LEDs. The plastic screen can be found at most craft stores like Michaels. Ruff it up really well. Size is determined by how much you feed every day not the size of the tank. After that it's all simple plumbing with PVC. Once I built my "test system". I found the bugs and am slowly making adjustments. I'll install unions to ease the removal of the screen for cleaning. Build a water barrier to protect the lights. Use a valve to restrict the outflow and force it to run over the screen. After that, I'll be harvesting most of my nitrates and phosphates by removal of the algae once a week. I'm told that there won't even be enough to keep the cheato alive. The Green rocks will turn near white again.

    You'll see what I'm talking about when you go here
    Algae Scrubber Basics - Reef Central Online Community

    cheers
     
  11. surfnthreef

    surfnthreef Flamingo Tongue

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    I rid of all my algae with the same homemade ATF....but I also combined a canister filter that fits behind my tank. Great ideas for fixing the bugs!
     
  12. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    your simplest solution when ANYTHING is wrong is to do more water changes.

    I've said this before...