Almost my Tanks 1 Year And Now This...

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 19, 2016

Hey Reefers,
It has been a while since I have posted because my tank has been doing great! However, just recently I have noticed tons of nuisance Algae. I am only usually home when my blue lights are on so I don't get to see all of the major problems, but today I was off of work so I was able to stay home and watch my tank! Unfortunately, I have noticed tons of bubble algae and other algae's that I have never noticed before until today. Could you please help me! I don't know what to do. I do my water changes bi-weekly and do rather large ones almost 50% sometimes - usually 40 though. Attached are some images of my algae. Also my phosphate according to my Low Hanna - 0 and Nitrate Red Sea - 0.
Thanks for the help in advanced

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 19, 2016

SCRUB. Are you running chem filtration.
Id say a lot of particulates and dissolved organics are not making it out of the tank. Even though the overall numbers are low, you have a lot of critters that filter feed blooming, thus my observation.
Adjusting flow to keep stuff in suspension will help with that.

Sabellafella · Nov 19, 2016

Beausoleiljacob said:
Hey Reefers,
It has been a while since I have posted because my tank has been doing great! However, just recently I have noticed tons of nuisance Algae. I am only usually home when my blue lights are on so I don't get to see all of the major problems, but today I was off of work so I was able to stay home and watch my tank! Unfortunately, I have noticed tons of bubble algae and other algae's that I have never noticed before until today. Could you please help me! I don't know what to do. I do my water changes bi-weekly and do rather large ones almost 50% sometimes - usually 40 though. Attached are some images of my algae. Also my phosphate according to my Low Hanna - 0 and Nitrate Red Sea - 0.
Thanks for the help in advanced

Just get some big tweezers and pull them all out. Make sure no bubble algae fragments settle. Or you can take the rocks out and scrub =)

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

I was thinking of adding an emerald crab and some more snails. Is that a good idea?

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

More snails yes emeralds immon the fence about. I've never had them eat bubble. And seen more than a few starve.
With the nutrients so low it a good time to get them out. A CUC will take time. But it'll also help majorly from them coming back.
Fiwiw some think WC may help actually feed algae. Larger ones more so .

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

Are you running a refugium or algae scrubber

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Are you running a refugium or algae scrubber

I do have a Refugium.

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
More snails yes emeralds immon the fence about. I've never had them eat bubble. And seen more than a few starve.
With the nutrients so low it a good time to get them out. A CUC will take time. But it'll also help majorly from them coming back.
Fiwiw some think WC may help actually feed algae. Larger ones more so .

Is because of the phosphate in the newly mixed salt mix?

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

Beausoleiljacob said:
Is because of the phosphate in the newly mixed salt mix?

Iron.
But if you have a fuge the chato should like it more than small stuff and out competed it.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 20, 2016

Do you carbon dose? Excess nutrients can lead to nuisance algae. I started carbon dosing much earlier than conventional wisdom suggested, and I never had a nuisance algae bloom. Also, the carbon dosing keeps phosphates and nitrates down to very low levels, and, consequently, nuisance algae never really has a chance.

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish said:
Do you carbon dose? Excess nutrients can lead to nuisance algae. I started carbon dosing much earlier than conventional wisdom suggested, and I never had a nuisance algae bloom. Also, the carbon dosing keeps phosphates and nitrates down to very low levels, and, consequently, nuisance algae never really has a chance.

I have always wanted to give it a try, but haven't ever tried. I'm kind of confused on how to do it and the effects etc.

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

Carbon dosing It lowers your no and Po.

AllSignsPointToFish said:
Do you carbon dose? Excess nutrients can lead to nuisance algae. I started carbon dosing much earlier than conventional wisdom suggested, and I never had a nuisance algae bloom. Also, the carbon dosing keeps phosphates and nitrates down to very low levels, and, consequently, nuisance algae never really has a chance.

Check out his numbers

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 20, 2016

Beausoleiljacob said:
I have always wanted to give it a try, but haven't ever tried. I'm kind of confused on how to do it and the effects etc.

It's actually really easy...seriously. I always advise starting out with a prepared product with manufacturers' directions (like the Red Sea product) and slowly transition to a homemade version once you get comfortable with it all.

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish said:
It's actually really easy...seriously. I always advise starting out with a prepared product with manufacturers' directions (like the Red Sea product) and slowly transition to a homemade version once you get comfortable with it all.

Do you think I should try it? Buy the red sea NO3-PO4-x Reducer?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 20, 2016

Beausoleiljacob said:
Do you think I should try it? Buy the red sea NO3-PO4-x Reducer?

You could try straight vinegar, and the regimen is well-documented. However, it drops the pH considerably.

Others start off with vodka, and once again the regimen is well documented. However, some seem to report cyanobacteria outbreaks.

I found that a mix that is a little heavier on the vinegar at first worked well for me.

The Red Sea product has detailed instructions, so that is a plus. If you're unsure, start there. You could save a little money with vinegar or vodka, but peace of mind with the Red Sea product may be worth it.

One caveate...what kind of skimmer are you running and what size is your tank? You will need a strong skimmer with carbon dosing.

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

AllSignsPointToFish said:
You could try straight vinegar, and the regimen is well-documented. However, it drops the pH considerably.

Others start off with vodka, and once again the regimen is well documented. However, some seem to report cyanobacteria outbreaks.

I found that a mix that is a little heavier on the vinegar at first worked well for me.

The Red Sea product has detailed instructions, so that is a plus. If you're unsure, start there. You could save a little money with vinegar or vodka, but peace of mind with the Red Sea product may be worth it.

One caveate...what kind of skimmer are you running and what size is your tank? You will need a strong skimmer with carbon dosing.

I have a 60 gallon cube, running an aquamax CO-1

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

It may also be difficult to get the no and Po below zero as they were reported in the first post.

Also quite possibly why the zoa in the pic are closed up as well. No nutrients

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
It may also be difficult to get the no and Po below zero as they were reported in the first post.

Also quite possibly why the zoa in the pic are closed up as well. No nutrients

That really is the problem and is why I don't know what to do. The zoas always don't seem to do well. Plus I don't see how I could accurately dose when both phosphate and nitrate levels are showing up as 0. What do you think I should do?

saltyfilmfolks · Nov 20, 2016

Beausoleiljacob said:
That really is the problem and is why I don't know what to do. The zoas always don't seem to do well. Plus I don't see how I could accurately dose when both phosphate and nitrate levels are showing up as 0. What do you think I should do?

Scrub and do a lights out ot limit and beef up the snails in the CUC.
IMO you've got the algae on the ropes by limiting the nutrients. Now finish it off. Burn with fire.

And then get ready to bring the nutrients back up To feed the corals.
If the zoas open spot feed them with frozen food juice. Any lps too. That'll help.

Rather than carbon dosing add some good bacteria.
Clean out any detritus traps

Beausoleiljacob · Nov 20, 2016

When would you recommend the lights off? Just 1 Night? Also should I reduce coral feeding and not feed them at all and just feed the fish like usual?

saltyfilmfolks said:
Scrub and do a lights out ot limit and beef up the snails in the CUC.
IMO you've got the algae on the ropes by limiting the nutrients. Now finish it off. Burn with fire.

And then get ready to bring the nutrients back up To feed the corals.
If the zoas open spot feed them with frozen food juice. Any lps too. That'll help.

Rather than carbon dosing add some good bacteria.
Clean out any detritus traps