Alkalinity levels
- Thread starter adamfinke
- Start date
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ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
I don't think alkalinity affects algae but if your alk is 80-90pmm (4.48-5.04 dkh) you have a serious issue. What are your other parameters? Tell more about your setup.
adamfinke
Active Member
Well nitrate is 0
nitrite 0
PH 8.2
All I run is my protein skimmer with my CLF1 lifereef sump and refigium with some chato.
Corals look great fish are all good just more alage than I like to see growing. I don't add any additives was adding some purple tech but thats been awhile ago.
nitrite 0
PH 8.2
All I run is my protein skimmer with my CLF1 lifereef sump and refigium with some chato.
Corals look great fish are all good just more alage than I like to see growing. I don't add any additives was adding some purple tech but thats been awhile ago.
ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
Agreed. What corals are you keeping?
adamfinke
Active Member
Kinda new at this I guess I should have retested before posting Sorry guys. I do wish I could get rid of the alage though. 25% water changes every 2-3weeks don't add any chemicals to my setup, is that my problem?? Have a few turbo, blue crabs and astris snails.
ermartin
Active Member
Better but still at the bottom of the scale. how big is this tank ?
ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
Look into some type of phosphate removing media for the algae. GFO or Phosban in a reactor. Once you get your phosphates down low the algae won't be able to survive.
nonstopfish
Active Member
GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. You should buy some with a media reactor(like 2 Little Fishies Phosban 150). This should help any algae problems you have. Also looking into your feeding habits and maybe cut down a bit if you think you are overdoing it.
mcarroll
10K Club member
A pic might help a little in case the algae you have is something out of the ordinary.
Until then, 20% weekly water changes would be considered a mandatory minimum if you're trying to work on a nutrient issue. Up to 10% daily could even be done. (Did that for an extended period a while back.)
Of course, over-feeding your fish (they should be left hungry after each feeding) and under-cleaning your skimmer (if there's noticeable build-up, it needs a cleaning) will contribute to your algae problem, as will running a sponge anywhere in the system as they tend to be left in while dirty. I recommend permanently removing these wherever possible in most cases.
However, I couldn't really recommend any other course of action (there are lots of possibilities) until water-changes are up to where they should be and I know more about your system and its history.
(And the increased water changes just might do it.)-Matt
redtop03
Well-Known Member
when you have an algae issue,usually the test kits will show little or no phosphates but it is still there,bound up in the algae...the GFO should help
this is the kind I use but there are other brands out there that are good too 1 Pound (453 Grams) Bulk GFO Granular Ferric Oxide - English
ritter6788
Coral Fraud Private Eye
Agreed. If you have algae then you have phosphates. What did you use to test phosphates? A low range test like the Hanna checker is needed. Liquid phosphate test kits are not low range and won't detect traces of phosphate.
adamfinke
Active Member
Ok here are a few pics. I am going to buy a chamber from Lifereef for my CLF1, Jeff from Lifereef recommended BrightWell Aquatics Xport-PO4 phosphate remover. Thanks for all the advice!!!!
