Algae issues

[bugzy]

Hello all. Have several different types of algae growing in sump and in sand bed/rock in display. I have added in more cuc but it’s slow progress. Was wondering if adding either a carbon bag/reactor would help to starve out of this?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

how old is your tank? It looks like you are starting the "ugly phase"

 

[kados]

+1 age of tank? What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? Carbon will not help. You'll need to address the source once there are more details provided. Lots of algae threads out there daily.

Are those biobricks? If so and the tank is established you don't need it. You would be adding nitrates.

 

[Cell]

Are those biobricks? If so and the tank is established you don't need it. You would be adding nitrates.

Potentially aluminium as well.

 

[bugzy]

how old is your tank? It looks like you are starting the "ugly phase"

Tank is roughly 3 months old.

 

[bugzy]

+1 age of tank? What are your phosphate and nitrate levels? Carbon will not help. You'll need to address the source once there are more details provided. Lots of algae threads out there daily.

Are those biobricks? If so and the tank is established you don't need it. You would be adding nitrates.

I added them in at the beginning of my cycle 3 months ago for bacteria to colonize as well as pods. Just started up the refugium 2-3 weeks ago.

 

[kados]

Then that is normal until established. You may still want to check parameters and remove biobricks. I did similar w bio spheres. Once all was established I took them out and my nitrates dropped from 57 to 34 in a week with the same maintenance I normally do with water changes and vacuuming sand.

 

[bugzy]

Would you just add in more rock into the sump so pods have a place to populate?

 

[kados]

There's going to be lots of varying opinions..refugium should be enough. I like a clean sump personally. Extra work but I clean my sump regularly as well. Less waste blowing around.