5 year reefer

AshleyBailey822 · Jun 20, 2019

I have been reefing for 5 years and started adding zoas and anemones about 2 years ago. My algae is currently knocking me down. I have summers off so I am hoping to tackle a few projects to help with algae control.

29 gallon
sand bed
tons of live rock
HOB filter with filter floss, carbon and chemipure
1 condy
1 BTA
Zoanthids
Arch eye hawkfish

Snails keep dying quicker than ever
Switched to R)/DI about 4 months ago. Won the red slime battle but now it's covered with something new, almost like brown diatoms mixed with Green hair and other crap. Ugg

Crabs McJones · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R

SPR1968 · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

Ling_Thing · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to r2r! The best reefing forum on the net!

Peace River · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome toR2R!!!

We’re glad you’re here!

TMB · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to Reef2Reef! This really is the best place to get help and advice with your tank!

dbl · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R.

GoVols · Jun 20, 2019

Ashley,
You need to test your phosphates and nitrates with good test kits as a starting point.

And....
..................................Welcome!!

mike werner · Jun 20, 2019

WELCOME TO R2R!!

Blutspitze · Jun 20, 2019

Hello and welcome! Good luck with taking care of the problem - hopefully you'll find some useful info here!

AshleyBailey822 · Jun 20, 2019

GoVols said:
Ashley,
You need to test your phosphates and nitrates with good test kits as a starting point.

And....
..................................Welcome!!

I test with API and they have always come out close to perfect. I also changed my light schedule to blues on at 11am and whites at about 2:30, back to blues around 8 pm and off around 10 pm. Whites used to be on from 11 to 8.

BestMomEver · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to the reef! Post some water parameters. That will help. My best guess is you are overloaded with nutrients. If that’s the case, your phosphate and nitrate tests might read zero but we know that’s not true. Is there any way you can get a HOB skimmer? That might help.

@reefsquad

Hitman · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

AshleyBailey822 · Jun 20, 2019

BestMomEver said:
Welcome to the reef! Post some water parameters. That will help. My best guess is you are overloaded with nutrients. If that’s the case, your phosphate and nitrate tests might read zero but we know that’s not true. Is there any way you can get a HOB skimmer? That might help.

@reefsquad

I have actually been looking into them but my tank is so small that another HOB will be an eye sore (just my opinion). I am thinking maybe a sump under my tank and then a skimmer in that? Is that even possible? I should probably start a thread on that too.

BestMomEver · Jun 20, 2019

AshleyBailey822 said:
I have actually been looking into them but my tank is so small that another HOB will be an eye sore (just my opinion). I am thinking maybe a sump under my tank and then a skimmer in that? Is that even possible? I should probably start a thread on that too.

Build thread! Yes... a sump will help. It only needs to be big enough for a return pump and skimmer.

siggy · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome aboard, Rodi is a good start, You mentioned TONS of live rock, Maybe remove the worst offenders? Start a build tread and post a few pictures and you will get loads of help. Good luck

GoVols · Jun 20, 2019

AshleyBailey822 said:
I test with API and they have always come out close to perfect. I also changed my light schedule to blues on at 11am and whites at about 2:30, back to blues around 8 pm and off around 10 pm. Whites used to be on from 11 to 8.

Can you try the Hanna ULR Checker for phosphates and Salifert for nitrates, to crosscheck your API?

If your zeroed out, there could be some dinos in the mix.

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Jun 20, 2019

Welcome! Please post some pictures. I'd recommend Salifert or Red Sea Test Kits as well. You're probably testing close to perfect because the algae is consuming the nutrients. Let us know your feeding schedule too!