i posted a thread about this about a week ago but got no replies. i have a 55 gallon tank with an ap700 running about 12" off the water on it, it runs for 12 hours a day at a max output of 50%. i know my parameters can be to blame and ill check them and post them in a moment but i keep getting a horrible brown coating of algea everywhere, and now my tank water is starting to get cloudy. ive stopped feeding frozen food all together and have greatly restricted my pellet feeding. As well just about 5 days ago i put some new media in my 2 little fishies reactor (bioxpellets or something like that by 2 little fishies). any input on what could be causing the algea? even in areas with a huge amount of flow the algae still grows. and its just seeming to get worse.
algea help
- Thread starter garra671
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25 is very bad, yes. I believe you want to change your membrane out when they exceed 2-4.
More than likely sounds like Cyano Algae. What is the flow in your tank? The frozen foods can put phosphates into your water. Its advisable to thaw them in tank water, in a cup, strain and then feed.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/chemistry
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/howto-know-when-to-change-your-rodi-filters/
More than likely sounds like Cyano Algae. What is the flow in your tank? The frozen foods can put phosphates into your water. Its advisable to thaw them in tank water, in a cup, strain and then feed.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2012/3/chemistry
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/howto-know-when-to-change-your-rodi-filters/
Luka
Active Member
I am having the same problem my water isn't cloudy and I buy my DI/RO water. It's brown algae grows in the day gone over night. Some times it gets a little stringy and air bubbles. I know it's either diatoms, cyano or Dino's (scary!!) it's a new tank it's been like this for awhile. I was told to ride it out. I gravel vac with water change just comes back. My params are all good 0 phosphates 0 nitrates I don't have a silicate test kit tho.
jaws789832
Active Member
Are you using RO/DI...... my tds coming out of my RO unit is about 25 and its not until coming out of the DI that it gets to 0.
That sounds like cyano or dinos. I had the same problem on my nancube. Battled it for about a year vacuuming it off doing water changes limiting light ect. I finally resorted to chemiclean and it cleared it up. I am not advising chemicals in the tank but I was at my wits end so I gave it a try with no adverse effects.
jaws789832
Active Member
How often do you change out the DI resin? I have to change mine about every 3 months or so depending on how much water I am using
I've yet to change it at all and my tanks been up and running for about 6 months. I'm going to need to buy a new one. I remember I tried to buy one about 2 months back and couldn't find the correct one.
jaws789832
Active Member
For the DI resin you just replace the resin. BRS carries it (kinda like replacing activated carbon in the tank). I usually just buy a bunch because I know I will need to replace it. I keep a bunch of carbon blocks and sediment filters on hand as well. DI I replace about every 3 months, carbon and sediment filters about every 6 months. About every year I give all the canisters a good bleaching. I have yet to replace the RO membrane and its going on 3 years. My TDS is about 300 pre RO membrane , 25 post membrane and 0 post DI resin.
Mine water comes in goes through sediment filter, 2 carbon blocks, then through the membrane, then into the DI canister and out to my storage
Mine water comes in goes through sediment filter, 2 carbon blocks, then through the membrane, then into the DI canister and out to my storage
Blue Lip
Well-Known Member
The brown algae is a diatom. It requires silicate to grow. Your tds meter does not specifically measure silicates. Buy a test kit for silicates and i bet your water supply contains it in your rodi water. Gfo & aluminum oxide can remove it from your tank. New filters & membrane for the rodi that have high silicate rejection will help greatly.
I have a 2 little fishes reactor with bio pellets in it. I was running gfo before and ran out and got the bio pellets to replace it but the take awhile to seed and activate. I'm thinking about buying another reactor and putting gfo in it to run along side the bio pellets.
robert
Valuable Member
25 is pretty high...but I'm not sure it indicates your membranes in the RO unit are bad - what does is the TDS of the input measure and what is the waste water ratio for the filter? If its a low waste system and the input TDS is high - that might be about right.
Do you have sediment and carbon filters in front of the RO unit? These may need to be replaced.
I suspect you're developing an accumulation of iron in the system. It won't be measurable on any test - but will be accumulating along with the organics...especially if your feeding lots of nori for your tang.
Do you have sediment and carbon filters in front of the RO unit? These may need to be replaced.
I suspect you're developing an accumulation of iron in the system. It won't be measurable on any test - but will be accumulating along with the organics...especially if your feeding lots of nori for your tang.
The tang refuses to eat nori so I don't feed it. And I replaced all filters about 3 months ago; excluding the membrane and DI my waste water measures at 50tds I haven't checked straight from the faucet yet however.
