algae issues in older tank

[saltyfins]

So my tank is older... 15 yrs anyway. have learned and changed a lot. I have a 125 and no sump. I do run a 407 marine land canister, and I am very good at changing and cleaning it. I switched to Red Sea Pro salt, from Reef crystals, and also started using vibrant to "clear" the water. and THAT'S where my issues started. so to add to that...my LFS is going out of business, and that's where for 10 yrs I've gotten my water.
well, I ended up using tap water....yeah I know...with Prime. lesson learned. also I switched from Chinese black box to 360aWE (whatever) Kesills. X3 tuna blues.
so viola! I got Cyano, and now GHA!!! I treated with chemiclean, because it spread so fast! Now the GHA is raging. I (for the last 2 months) have been using my new RODI unit for ALL my water, and it tests zero when made.
last night I did a 20 gallon water change, and so here I am today. this is ridiculous. I haven't EVER had this issue, since setting up, other than occasional GHA that went away pretty fast.

all perimeters check out, but no way to measure phosphates etc. I have cut back feeding to 1 a day, and I am at a loss. please advise.

 

[Idoc]

It sounds like you just need to get the system stabilized again. You made so many changes to the system in a short time.... I'm assuming the short time line for the changes, though!

Vibrant... so many threads about how this stuff can throw nutrients off and set in new issues that weren't present before. So many swear by vibrant, though... if using, probably good to start slow with it. But, by the sounds of it you're system was running nicely prior to using...not sure what changed to push you to use it. If it was just for clarity, maybe some carbon would have helped.

But now you have your RODI up and running, that should help over time. The cyano probably popped up due to the nutrient fluctuations after the vibrant. Given time to stabilize, that probably would have resolved on its own. Chemiclean works, but it can be harsh on a system's balance.

 

[vetteguy53081]

By any chance, is this tank at or near a window?
What is TDS of your water?
I would recommend addition of ChemiPure Elite to control phosphates and an addition of a sea hare to get this down to rocks

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

You have been getting water at an LFS for 10 years! That is crazy! I’m not nocking you. That’s discipline for sure, but DANG.

 

[saltyfins]

You have been getting water at an LFS for 10 years! That is crazy! I’m not nocking you. That’s discipline for sure, but DANG.

yeah. RODI would have been MUCH cheaper!!

 

[saltyfins]

By any chance, is this tank at or near a window?
What is TDS of your water?
I would recommend addition of ChemiPure Elite to control phosphates and an addition of a sea hare to get this down to rocks

yes, and no....and I have shades on it so it's not beaming into my tank....for what that's worth...however, hasn't been a problem in almost 4 yrs. I do run Chemipure, and carbon, but I just ordered off BRS the good stuff...sorry, short on time here, and kids bouncing off the walls... sea hare... where would I find one of those...or 4? I'll check live aquaria. thanks so much!!

 

[saltyfins]

It sounds like you just need to get the system stabilized again. You made so many changes to the system in a short time.... I'm assuming the short time line for the changes, though!

Vibrant... so many threads about how this stuff can throw nutrients off and set in new issues that weren't present before. So many swear by vibrant, though... if using, probably good to start slow with it. But, by the sounds of it you're system was running nicely prior to using...not sure what changed to push you to use it. If it was just for clarity, maybe some carbon would have helped.

But now you have your RODI up and running, that should help over time. The cyano probably popped up due to the nutrient fluctuations after the vibrant. Given time to stabilize, that probably would have resolved on its own. Chemiclean works, but it can be harsh on a system's balance.

yes. just for clarity...carbon didn't seem to be doing it, and heard so much positive on the stuff...dang it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

yes, and no....and I have shades on it so it's not beaming into my tank....for what that's worth...however, hasn't been a problem in almost 4 yrs. I do run Chemipure, and carbon, but I just ordered off BRS the good stuff...sorry, short on time here, and kids bouncing off the walls... sea hare... where would I find one of those...or 4? I'll check live aquaria. thanks so much!!

Even with shades, the suns’ UV can penetrate them and cause algae, etc
Most larger LFS WILL have sea hares as well online sources

 

[saltyfins]

Even with shades, the suns’ UV can penetrate them and cause algae, etc
Most larger LFS WILL have sea hares as well online sources

with that said...it IS on the North side... tank is on adjacent wall.... idk.like said...I did so much at once. dang it. was fine until I started listening to others lol. not always a bad thing...just should have followed my gut.

 

[saltyfins]

OK. so I have just discovered a huge HUGE mistake!!! NEVER nest your buckets empty....and ALWAYS clean them. My husband made me up 8 buckets of RODI water so sweet.... for some reason I took my TDS meter to them...the highest was in the 300's, and the lowest 80's!!! Now, I did check my NEW RODI with a clean mason jar, and it read 0..... dirty buckets!!! OMG ;Sorry I cannot even remotely believe, I didn't think to clean out the BUCKETS!!!! some of these are YEARS old, yes...I know....stupid. now they've all been cleaned with Apple Cider Vinegar, rinsed, dried....and guess what?? 0 TDS!!!
So now tomorrow, I will be doing a HUGE water change on my 125 (probably 8-9 buckets). and then do it again next week. No wonder I have GHA! no wonder there's all kinds of issues starting...I really hope I can turn this around in time.