Too much Algae!!!!

Discussion in 'Algae' started by Mr._Bond, Feb 19, 2005.

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  1. dx7fd2

    dx7fd2 Sea Dragon

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    Messages:
    544
    Location:
    San Diego, CA,California
    Mr Bond,

    Are you cleaning the wet/dry every week??

    The nitrate level you mentioned (15) is still high enough  to cause a problem along with the phosphate. If the water source is high in phosphate and/or nitrate you will have to do something about it or the problem will persist. The filter mentioned above (tap water purifier) will take out about 98% of the phosphate and nitrate but the medium will need to be changed often. ;)

    The slime algae will run its course. It is unsightly and everywhere but eventually other beneficial algae will run it out of nutrients. Algae is caused by light, nutrient (in this case phosphate and nitrates) and waste material from feeding and anything else that is dying or decaying material in the tank. Controlling these things is the way to get the algae down to an acceptable level. It is difficult and time consuming to get all of these under control at the same time. Patience is a definite virtue here!! ;)

    Your wet/dry may be a nitrate producing factory if there is any dead and or decaying material in the filter. This will cause the bacteria in your tank to reside in the filter and produce nitrate from the incoming junk in the water. The skimmer should be the best way to remove dead and dying material from the tanks water column.

    Somehow you must find a way to get the proper water for your tank or the problem will persist and drive you wacko!!

    Drew
     
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  3. allaboutfish37

    allaboutfish37 Feather Duster

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    Location:
    oakley, CA,California
  4. Black_Raven

    Black_Raven Scooter Blennie

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    Location:
    Woodbury, MN,Minnesota
    I agree with dx7fd2 also.  High nutrients and wet/dry may be the root of the problem.  You may want to consider doing a sump and refugium (or at least get  a CPR hang on refuge.) and for go the wet/dry.  You can also try adding Sea Chems Prime to temporarily bind up the nitrates.  I would also suggest feeding sparingly with frozen foods and not the flakes or pellets which contain higher concentrations of protien=nitrogen=nitrates and leave the lights off as much as possible.  For the hair algae,  I've had very good luck with lawn mower blennies and small emerald crabs.  You might also want to add another 15 -20 snails and some scarlet red hermits.  Good luck and be patient!
     
  5. bozothereefer

    bozothereefer Plankton

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    Messages:
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    Location:
    poconos,, PA,Pennsylvania
    can you tell us more about your wet/dry. do you have floss or sponges in there or bio balls of some sort. any carbon? if you do how often are the mechanical filters changed or cleaned. same with the carbon. is your protien skimmer pulling off scum? do you have a sand bed? what kind of pump is running your sump or wet /dry? what is the flow rate? is it feeding only your tank returns or is it also feeding your skimmer? phosphates and nitraes can hide in many places. sponges, floss, sand beds, bioballs, fish food, detritus and so on.