Black Algae Outbreak!

[Don Deslauriers]

I just started a 15 gallon reef tank 7 weeks ago. I have 10 lbs of live sand, 7 lbs of dry live cured pukani rock, a protein skimmer, HOB CPR refugium with live sand, chaeto, and put Phosban in there. I have a 14000K Zetlight from BRS Supply. On for 8 hours moonlight on for 2. Ammonia=0, Nitrite=0, Nitrate=0, Phosphate=0.03, Alk=8.3, PH=8.0. I did a 50% water change yesterday, and it keeps coming back. I have to clean my gravel and rocks daily. I need some help. I don't know what to do.

Don Deslauriers

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hi Don! Welcome to reef2reef!!

Do you by Chance have pictures?
Does the stuff have a smell?
Are you using rodi water?

 

[Don Deslauriers]

Unfortunately I don't have any pics. It doesn't smell. I can't use rodi cause they monitor the water where I live. The faucets are setup differently. I buy my saltwater online. I use Worldwide Imports Nutri Seawater. All the parameters are covered supposedly. Alk, Cal, Mag, etc. I wish I could setup my own rodi system. Can I use distilled water and make my own, or try to buy my water from my local fish store if they allow. I also have some green algae at top of tank that I haven't removed. Is that OK?

 

[Don Deslauriers]

I tried to take a pic.

 

[Douglas Wattier]

I would buy your water from your LFS and still test it. If you want more control, you could just buy the RODI water and mix your own salt in. I don't have any experience or knowledge on black algae.. hope you can get it under control.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

One of the reasons we use rodi is tap water often contains things that feed algaes. Also it can contain things that will kill off the bacteria we like as well as some of the other smaller beneficial organisams and corals as well.
I'm told that the Walmart brand green cap distilled water is ok.
Ro di is best of course as it's the cleanest.

If the lfs sells mixed salt water or rodi that would be great. Mixing your own does save quite a bit of cash over time.

What are you using for top off water?

There's a product called ro buddy. It's worth looking into. It's quite Small but you will need the di stage. Def do a bit of research on rodi and def feel free to keep asking questions her in r2r.

If there are no corals in the tank you can turn off or shorten the time the lights are on. And yes it's totally ok to scrub the algaes. Just change or wash the sponges or filer pads.

 

[Don Deslauriers]

Hi Salty, thanks for the help. I watch all the videos on Bulk Reef Supply just to try and learn, they say that distilled water would be OK if I don't have rodi water. Is that true?