Algae issues! Filter set up outdated??

[erickcalderon]

Hello R2R community,

My name is Erick and I been reefing for the past 2 years. Through this time my 55 gallon tank has gone through a few phases, and have managed them, but right now I’m dealing with algae again and high phosphate issues. I have gone through some common techniques that had helped in the past but now have not helped much. I have been reducing my fish feeding intake, changing my salt reef crystals to redsea prosalt, phosguard, rowaphos, and light changing. I’m now wondering if my old filter set up is the issue, my feeding technique, or if my premix water is the issue. My old filter set up for my 55g consists of a marineland 75g hob, seachem tidal 35, and a 40-80g coospider machine, running 24/7 I’m wondering if this is overkill or outdated? Also my premix water is a concern, I make my own rodi and concern that maybe phosphate coming from there though my water test 0 tds? My last concern is my feeding technique, typically I place 3 cubes of frozen mysis in a squeeze bottle with some of my aquarium water I feed this over a period of a week? Please help with this issue!

 

[Dan_P]

Hello R2R community,

My name is Erick and I been reefing for the past 2 years. Through this time my 55 gallon tank has gone through a few phases, and have managed them, but right now I’m dealing with algae again and high phosphate issues. I have gone through some common techniques that had helped in the past but now have not helped much. I have been reducing my fish feeding intake, changing my salt reef crystals to redsea prosalt, phosguard, rowaphos, and light changing. I’m now wondering if my old filter set up is the issue, my feeding technique, or if my premix water is the issue. My old filter set up for my 55g consists of a marineland 75g hob, seachem tidal 35, and a 40-80g coospider machine, running 24/7 I’m wondering if this is overkill or outdated? Also my premix water is a concern, I make my own rodi and concern that maybe phosphate coming from there though my water test 0 tds? My last concern is my feeding technique, typically I place 3 cubes of frozen mysis in a squeeze bottle with some of my aquarium water I feed this over a period of a week? Please help with this issue!

Feed frozen food by defrosting and feeding the same day. Refreeze overnight. Fresh seafood rots quickly.

GFO should work for phosphate reduction. If it is not working, you mightnot be using enough long enough.

Buy a freshwater phosphate test kit to test your RO water.

What is your nitrate level?

Is there a large enough snail or urchin population to eat the nuisance algae?

The filter might be an issue, but I would hold off changing that until you can address the other issues.

 

[Rtaylor]

Hello R2R community,

My name is Erick and I been reefing for the past 2 years. Through this time my 55 gallon tank has gone through a few phases, and have managed them, but right now I’m dealing with algae again and high phosphate issues. I have gone through some common techniques that had helped in the past but now have not helped much. I have been reducing my fish feeding intake, changing my salt reef crystals to redsea prosalt, phosguard, rowaphos, and light changing. I’m now wondering if my old filter set up is the issue, my feeding technique, or if my premix water is the issue. My old filter set up for my 55g consists of a marineland 75g hob, seachem tidal 35, and a 40-80g coospider machine, running 24/7 I’m wondering if this is overkill or outdated? Also my premix water is a concern, I make my own rodi and concern that maybe phosphate coming from there though my water test 0 tds? My last concern is my feeding technique, typically I place 3 cubes of frozen mysis in a squeeze bottle with some of my aquarium water I feed this over a period of a week? Please help with this issue!

How old is your tank? Rocks can leach silicates and phosphates for quite a while. Something like Lanthum chloride might help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What filtration are you using when you say old filter and nitrate is not of concern as would be your phosphate level.
Are you using RODI water or tap water from faucet ? If purchasing water, have you tested it ?
What test kit(s) are you using?
Is tank at or near a window ?

CAN YOU POST A COUPLE PICS OF TANK AND FILTERS UNDER WHITE LIGHTING ?

 

[erickcalderon]

Thank you to everyone that replied! Sorry I’m just now replying I had not logged in, but I definitely tried some of the suggested techniques to reduce phosphate and algae growth. I reduced the feeding amount, unfroze and fed only what was going to be given, I tried the lights out in the tank for a while, and then I also treated it with rowaphos. This combination definitely helped heal and has been keeping my tank healthy.

Thank you guys!