Can I get corals? + Algae bloom issue

[Ro Bow]

Hi so these are my parameters all using red sea. Will I be able to get any sps,l ps or clams? I have been eyeing a few torches/hammers lately. Tank is 8 or so months old. My tank is going through a bad algae bloom right now, could any of my parameters be causing that? I run the lights for 10 hours. Tank is 65 gallons - red sea reefer 300xl

Parameters:
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
PH: 8.3
Ca: 420ppm
KH: 9dkh
Phosphate: 0.01-0ppm
Temp.: 77-78

 

[blaxsun]

Myself, I would not add anything until you get your algae problem under control. Almost zero phosphates and zero nitrates are a symptom of the algae running amok. Whether this is a cause or effect or the algae bloom is open to speculation.

 

[Ro Bow]

Myself, I would not add anything until you get your algae problem under control. Almost zero phosphates and zero nitrates are a symptom of the algae running amok. Whether this is a cause or effect or the algae bloom is open to speculation.

I need to raise phosphate to get rid of the algae? I thought its best at 0ppm? How would I raise phosphate? I know how to raise nitrate but phosphate is new to me. Thanks

 

[Ro Bow]

bump

 

[vetteguy53081]

With this going on- I would not.
You may ask why- Other than getting algae under control, there is likely elevated Phosphate and nitrate causing it and by chance is tank at or near a window?
Also your zero readings raise question: What test kits are you using?

For removal, you will want to reduce white light intensity or turn off white lights for a few days. You want to blow these areas loose and siphon well and add some snails such as:
Turbo grazer
astrea
nerite
Cerith
Trochus

Pencil urchin
12 carribean blue leg hermits

 

[Ro Bow]

With this going on- I would not.
You may ask why- Other than getting algae under control, there is likely elevated Phosphate and nitrate causing it and by chance is tank at or near a window?
Also your zero readings raise question: What test kits are you using?

For removal, you will want to reduce white light intensity or turn off white lights for a few days. You want to blow these areas loose and siphon well and add some snails such as:
Turbo grazer
astrea
nerite
Cerith
Trochus

Pencil urchin
12 carribean blue leg hermits

I use red sea test kits.
My tank is right next to a large window and a small one too.
The nitrate reading is a week old I will retest - tested PO4 today though.
Will removing white light harm my coral at all?
I currently have a few (5) hermits and a small tuxedo urchin 2 inches wide

Thanks so much for the reply!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I use red sea test kits.
My tank is right next to a large window and a small one too.
The nitrate reading is a week old I will retest - tested PO4 today though.
Will removing white light harm my coral at all?
I currently have a few (5) hermits and a small tuxedo urchin 2 inches wide

Thanks so much for the reply!

I suspected window by the type of growth you have.
Reduce white light intensity- dont turn off but you need to address window. Even indirect lighting from windows have strong UV that will penetrate shades -blinds-curtains.
Best is to block the side of tank facing window and/or window with black construction paper from Walmart

 

[Ro Bow]

I suspected window by the type of growth you have.
Reduce white light intensity- dont turn off but you need to address window. Even indirect lighting from windows have strong UV that will penetrate shades -blinds-curtains.
Best is to block the side of tank facing window and/or window with black construction paper from Walmart

Ok thanks for the advice

 

[Ro Bow]

@vetteguy53081 I just purchased this, I will try it out and do the black paper on the sides of the aquarium like you said. Thanks for your help

 

[vetteguy53081]

@vetteguy53081 I just purchased this, I will try it out and do the black paper on the sides of the aquarium like you said. Thanks for your help

It works effectively and very cheap.

 

[Ro Bow]

Sorry I keep asking questions but just to confirm, the algae in my tank is hair algae, correct? Thanks so much

 

[reeftankdude]

Will tuxedo urchin eat green hair algae?

As the title states. Is it also reef safe?

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Ro Bow]

Will tuxedo urchin eat green hair algae?

As the title states. Is it also reef safe?

www.reef2reef.com

I have one it doesnt eat it for some reason..

 

[Lavey29]

It's hair algae or briopsis hard to tell in the pics. If stems are fern like in appearance then it's briopsis which is hard to get rid of. Other posters gave you good advice, diverse cleaner crew, manual removal, cut lights back raise magnesium to 1500, nitrates at 10 and phosphate at .05.

 

[ZoWhat]

......

 

[Lavey29]

Research carbon dosing... and get yourself on a 80proof Vodka regiment dose every morning into the tank.

I've seen corals I thought were dead, come back to life and grow to where I frag'ed them...ever since I started dosing vodka 3 yrs ago.

Absolutely my #1 husbandry skill I can never be talked out of bc I've seen small miracles happen

180g DT, 230ish gal total volume.... I dose about 20-30ml of 80proof Vodka every morning that supercharges nitrifying bacteria to regulate algae, no3, po4. Swear by it.

Carbon dosing should be a HOLY COMMANDMENT in reefing

.

The OP has bottomed out nitrates and phosphate why would they want to carbon dose now when that is used to reduce nitrates and phosphate? Carbon dosing can also lead to bad problems with 02 in your tank if you over dose or don't have an adequate skimmer.

 

[Ro Bow]

It's hair algae or briopsis hard to tell in the pics. If stems are fern like in appearance then it's briopsis which is hard to get rid of. Other posters gave you good advice, diverse cleaner crew, manual removal, cut lights back raise magnesium to 1500, nitrates at 10 and phosphate at .05.

Thanks for your response. It is almost certainly GHA however bryopsis may be appearing in other parts of tank now that you mention it... Thanks for the response

 

[Ro Bow]

I think it may be worth pointing out, that out of the 8 or so months this tank has been running with fish&corals, for 7 months I've had this algae... It wont die off whatsever. Heres a pic from a few months ago. Its getting better I guess

this is it now:

 

[Lavey29]

If your urchin won't get rid of it then its probably not GHA. Get 2 big turbo snails and raise magnesium to 1500 along with correcting your other parameters. I have gone through something similar and am at the tail end of it now at 11 months. No chemicals treatment just cleaner crew, manual removal and stabilized parameters.

 

[Ro Bow]

If your urchin won't get rid of it then its probably not GHA. Get 2 big turbo snails and raise magnesium to 1500 along with correcting your other parameters. I have gone through something similar and am at the tail end of it now at 11 months. No chemicals treatment just cleaner crew, manual removal and stabilized parameters.

He eats it on the glass but not rocks. I think it may actually be bryopsis