Algae

[adamfinke]

Ok I know the Algea posts get old but I'm looking for more suggestions. Here is alittle history of my setup. Its been setup for 4yrs when I bought it there was lots of algea. When I moved it and set it up I did my best to clean all the algea. It looked pretty good for about a month then the green hair algea came back. I have cleaned the algea off by hand, tooth brush. I tried the hydrogen peroxide method and it didn't work. I used Algaefix seemed to help so I been dosing 2tsp every other day.

OK now here is my setup:
90gallon with a Lifereef CLF1/refugium and skimmer.
I have a 6 T5 lighting setup
100lbs of live rock, 2" of sand in the tank and 3" in the refugium
6 fish and some corals
I use ro water no di on my unit. All filters and membrains are new. Water changes every 2 weeks 25gallons.
Water test as of 4/28/12
Temp 80, Salinty 1.025, PH 8.2, Alk143ppm/8dkh, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0,
Amm.NH3 0, Calcium 400, Phosphates 0 ( I realize the algea will mess with this reading) I thought about adding a PhosBan Reactor just to be sure the phosphates are being removed.
I hope this helps just looking for some help. (PLEASE NOTE I HAVE CLEANED ALOT OF THE ALGEA OUT OF THE TANK)

 

[Chameleon]

I would make sure you have new bulbs in your fixture and also what is your light cycle like? maybe cut back some on the light cycle. One more thing...try testing your RO water for nitrates and phosphates before being added to the tank. make sure you aren't adding to the nutrients that way. one more thing...lol...i promise this is the last...what is your feeding like...overfeeding will add unwanted nutrients. I really hope you can get it under control looks like a nice tank.

 

[Steven R]

I would up your water changes to small ones every other day and hand pic off as much as you can with the filtration off. What kind of salt are you using? How are you feeding and how much? Maybe throw in some seahares. IMO that you should really up your changes to 3-5 gallons every other day though water changes are your best friend if done right. Just until you get the algae under control..

 

[Mike&Terry]

I would just add to what Chameleon has said... Can you check your RO output with a TDS meter? If so, what is the reading? I'd also test for silicates. If you are feeding the algae from your RO water, it will be difficult to eradicate.

You might want to look into adding a One Spot Foxface Rabbitfish to help in algae control. We keep one in our frag tank and he is an algae-eating machine. While the fish won't fix the underlying problem, it can help.

 

[adamfinke]

Guys I feed once everyother day like 2 small pinches for my 5-6 fish thats it. I thinks it's my RO system not being a DI dosen't help. My lights are on for about 6 hrs. 430-1030pm. I use Instant Ocean ReefCrystals.

 

[Chameleon]

Are the bulbs less than 9 months old?? but yeah i bet it could be the water...test it and find out...btw TDS meter are pretty inexpensive

 

[adamfinke]

My bubble coral????? I tested my ro water no phosphates, nitrate .002-003. I am looking at buying a TDS meter.

Are the bulbs less than 9 months old?? but yeah i bet it could be the water...test it and find out...btw TDS meter are pretty inexpensive

 

[Mike&Terry]

I would recommend testing your RO and tank water for silicates as well.

 

[Chameleon]

My bubble coral????? I tested my ro water no phosphates, nitrate .002-003. I am looking at buying a TDS meter.

Your light bulbs. T5's should be replaced at least every year but every 9 months is even better. Old bulbs is often a cause of nuisance algae. Speaking from book knowlege not personal experience though. I run LED's myself

 

[Chameleon]

knowledge...lol

 

[adamfinke]

I guess I'll need to get some new bulbs. Any suggestions LFS or buy online??

 

[adamfinke]

I do have like .02-.04 ppm of Nitrates in my RO topoff water. But my tank still tests zero. I thing a new RO/DI will help this and a GFO. Any Idea if I just put GFO in mesh bag and lay it in the sump will that work? How about phosphats pads that lay in the sump?