Algae turf scrubber on a fish-only

[amppdx]

I have an algae turf scrubber running on a 500g fish only tank. It has been going for about 6 weeks now, but is still only growing cyanobacteria. The system was treated with copper around 6-8 weeks ago. The scrubber is a typical waterfall over plastic mesh lit by CFL bulbs in home depot clamp on reflectors. I was expecting it to start maturing and growing hair algae or turf algae by now. Am I missing something here or just being impatient? Thanks

 

[cjd]

What does the display look like ? any algae problems ? The copper treatment is likely the cause of no growth as it kills pretty much everything but the fish. I have never used copper as I only ever had reef tanks . I would be concerned that even if your algae scrubber started growing out nicely doing its thing then one day the rocks that bind the copper decide to release it in the water it would kill your turf scrubber polluting the tank . Just my thoughts , hopefully someone with more knowledge of copper treatments will chime in. Edit : I just did some reading , people have algae turf scrubbers after using copper and claim its the best growth they have as the turf removes the copper feeding the algae. so I would just let it do its thing.

 

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I would say that the copper is killing off the algae, but a little more detail: when did you start treatment, how long did the treatment continue, and did you actively remove it?

the rocks that bind the copper

yes the rock will not ever be reef-safe again, at least from what I understand.

algae turf scrubbers after using copper and claim its the best growth they have as the turf removes the copper feeding the algae

I don't know that I agree that the copper feeds the algae, it's more of the algae growing strong once it gets a foothold back and there is no other competition for algae growth - the copper has inhibited it system-wide, and the scrubber provides the ideal location so it at least has a fighting chance, and when conditions allow it to grow, it takes off. Algae will adsorb heavy metals but this is secondary.

but is still only growing cyanobacteria

Are you sure it's cyano? If it's a brown gooey/slimy coating it's likely diatoms or bacterial, and might smell like dinoflaggelates, but if it's that crimson red then it could be cyanobacteria. Rinse that all off, it can inhibit GHA.

CFL bulbs in home depot clamp on reflectors

Pics would help!

Also build info like:

dimensions of screen LxW

one sided or two?

CFL specs (actual watts) and reflector size/type

Photoperiod

Proximity of lights

Total flow across screen (measured if possible, otherwise pump brand/model + inlet plumbing diamemter & vertical rise)

Then:

How much do you feed

What other filtration is running

What is your stock/bioload