algae problem

Monster reefer · Jun 1, 2016

ok guys I have been in the hobby about 12 years now and for the past 1 year or so since I moved in to my house I have had algae problems! I hate it. I see tanks that are amazing, no algae anywhere. I'm like what am I doing different. Here's what I got a 70 gallon sea clear 2 that I drilled so that I could have a sump. I've got a 40 gallon sump with a bubble mags for up to 300 gallon aquariums.
I've got an apex gold and 4x 160 blue tuna kessils along with 4x 48" ecotech led lights 2x 420nm and 2x 20k
I've got around 60lb of live sand and around 70-100lb of live rock

Fish list
1x yellow tang
1x chevron tang
2x clowns
2x fire fish
1x sea hair
5-10x snails
2x fighting conchs
And my water test are good nothing stands out.

So what does your tank have that mine needs?

FL_Reefer · Jun 1, 2016

What are you doing for phosphate control? What is your lighting and feeding schedules?

Robink · Jun 1, 2016

Does the tank get lots of natural light? Had the same problem with a frag tank that was closer to the window than the display.

jsker · Jun 1, 2016

All good questions. What are you feeding?

Monster reefer · Jun 1, 2016

Water changes for phosphate. Nothing else. Feed once a day I feed frozen brine shrimp or emriled ontray. It's an in wall aquarium the only light is from the lights on the tank blues on at 7-9 white from9-6 6-8 blue.

FL_Reefer · Jun 1, 2016

It maybe your PO4. I know I had a hard time keeping PO4 in check with just water changes. Maybe time to add a reactor. How much are you changing and how often? Your tangs don't keep it in check?

Monster reefer · Jun 2, 2016

Once a week I too off and every other week I take out about 10-15 gallons

FL_Reefer · Jun 2, 2016

I still think that, that amount of water change, that often will not keep up with your PO4. I truly believe that's the problem. What is your PO 4 showing on a test? Also do you make your own water or buy it?

twilliard · Jun 2, 2016

Most will say po4...
Well to be honest it's your doc's

I can't cast my vote as most will not be a solution.

brandon429 · Jun 3, 2016

A bump before your thread drops p2

Post or pm a full tank shot, I vote none of the poll options will have an effect. Curious to see if this is a caulerpa invasion, or bryopsis, or Gha etc

FL_Reefer · Jun 3, 2016

^ good point, can we see some pics?

Monster reefer · Jun 3, 2016

Sorry for the blue pictures. I'll try and take some tomorrow. I cleaned the glass some.
So it's like a mix of GH and like cyno. But on the glass is some kind of brown alage.
Here is the tank from tonight.
The fish and everyone is doing good except the Zoas they. Are getting covered.

brandon429 · Jun 3, 2016

http://reef2reef.com/threads/algae-outbreak.249581/

A pic based prediction

All steps documented

Outcome logged within stated time frame

This is the fix for your tank based on pics

I recommend add the full sandbed rinse total fresh start. Pure detritus removal your tank will be fixed

FL_Reefer · Jun 3, 2016

definitely a PO4 problem. Are you making your own water? I would get a reactor with some rowaphos in it to start

Monster reefer · Jun 3, 2016

Yeah, I would do that but it's actually really hard to remove the rocks from my aquarium the rocks are large sizes and everthing is in a closer that is 48"x36" not a lot of room to move around. The openings on the top of my tank are about 12"X 17" And I don't want to mess up my rock work.
I have one anemone, GSP and some Zoas and mushrooms.

Monster reefer · Jun 3, 2016

Yeah I'm making my own water 7 stage rodi system. Goes into a 100 gallon holding tank.

Monster reefer · Jun 3, 2016

Here is a link to my tank build, it's no longer 180 gallons but it's just under 110 gallons 70 gallon with a 40 gallon sump.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/christians-180-in-wall-aquarium.241605/

c-horse · Jun 3, 2016

You may want to get an algae scrubber.

Here is a video of a tank that had an algae problems even with all sorts of equipment, skimmer, bio-pellet reactor,

now he just use an algae scrubber and have some carbon.

Monster reefer · Jun 3, 2016

I have thought about that. I know someone who was running one and the GH algae started getting out of control in his display system and on the scrubber.
I was thinking may be a scrubber and a GFO and a skimmer also. I'm also thinking that is my 48" ecotech led lights so I turned them off and am just running my kessils.

FL_Reefer · Jun 3, 2016

I would keep running your skimmer, get a reactor and increase your water changes. Get some snails in the meantime. Your tank will come around just don't give up on it, this can be corrected bud.