Consistent low iron issue

[Triggreef]

Everything I read says bio pellets are almost like carbon dosing or the same, and not to keep alk higher than 9 when carbon dosing. Any thoughts on that Randy?

I would bet you would see improvements if you lower your alk into the 8 range. As far as the green algae looks like cyano to me. Bubbly sometimes? What is your light cycle like? Type of lighting? Length? I would bet a little more flow around the bottom of the tank, and an hr less lighting would solve that. Maybe some conch snails to stir up the sand a little.

I have had all sorts of algae issues, different colors of cyano, diatoms, every king of hair algae you can think of. Basically due to running a higher nutrient sps tank. The above suggestions are how I beat them all. My po4 is fairly constant at .2 and my nitrate are always around 2 or higher. No algae aside from what macros are in my sump, and coraline is annoying.

 

[prsnlty]

Everything I read says bio pellets are almost like carbon dosing or the same, and not to keep all higher than 9 when carbon dosing. Any thoughts on that Randy?

I would bet you would see improvements if you lower your alk into the 8 range. As far as the green algae looks like cyano to me. Bubbly sometimes? What is your light cycle like? Type of lighting? Length? I would bet a little more flow around the bottom of the tank, and an hr less lighting would solve that. Maybe some conch snails to stir up the sand a little.

I have had all sorts of algae issues, different colors of cyano, diatoms, every king of hair algae you can think of. Basically due to running a higher nutrient sps tank. The above suggestions are how I beat them all. My po4 is fairly constant at .2 and my nitrate are always around 2 or higher. No algae aside from what macros are in my sump, and coraline is annoying.

I agree on the alk and am allowing it to lower to 9. My tank never really dips below that. Though I stopped biopellets because I am trying to get some (just a little) nitrates. Bps have been off for 1 week today.

There is tons of flow under and around the rock as I have a spray bar return along the sb under the rock. Return water shoots out of it in all directions but into the sand.

No bubbles on the algae. I run a combo 6 bulb ATI T5 / AI SolBlue LED set up. 4 blue+, 1coral+, 1 purple+ and the 2 leds down the middle. Leds are set to local (Fl) weather at 30%w and blues at 70% max.
LEDS come on and ramp up during sun up...
T5s:
2 blue+ on at 9am,
+2 blue+ on 10am
Coral+ & purple+ on at 12pm/off at 4pm
2 blue+ off at 6pm
Last 2 b+ off at 8 pm
By this time LEDS are low and going into moon phase.

Coraline isn't an issue as i have a bad case of asterina stars that prefer it over other algae

I will pick up a few conch when I order my fish next week. Joe and Todd say I don't have enough poopers for the SPS I'm getting in a few weeks lol.

Thanks for your help

 

[Triggreef]

I just saw you said it's only 4 months running, that's probably it. I'd bet with some manual removal and time, it will iron out on its own.

 

[prsnlty]

Yes, it's a 180 +55 sump upgrade from a 125. But this tank is set up much better than the last, better/ more efficient equipment and so on. I used only some of the old LR, 90g of the old water and existing corals but all else is new. It was set up and running September 2nd. It was cycled in 10 days approximately

I hope you're right... algae makes me very paranoid lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Everything I read says bio pellets are almost like carbon dosing or the same, and not to keep alk higher than 9 when carbon dosing. Any thoughts on that Randy?

.

IMO, that only applies to SPS, and primarily only if you actually get to ULNS conditions. Otherwise, higher alk can result in faster growth, if that is a goal.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd bet with some manual removal and time, it will iron out on its own.

Good one! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Coraline isn't an issue as i have a bad case of asterina stars that prefer it over other algae

I like asterina stars, and the family thinks the stars are way more cool than a coral.

 

[prsnlty]

I like asterina stars, and the family thinks the stars are way more cool than a coral.

Mine are not the very nice kind and they do bother my zoas. My tank is over-run with them in just a few months for 6 rocks. Which was dipped scrubbed and dipped, hand pick, dipped again and again till my hands were so chewed up it took a week or so to recover. Couldn't find any when i was done but here they are and in full force I wish they were the nice ones...

 

[prsnlty]

IMO, that only applies to SPS, and primarily only if you actually get to ULNS conditions. Otherwise, higher alk can result in faster growth, if that is a goal.

My goal is to not only support sps but to have good color and gowth as well. What parameters would you suggest? Joe and Todd say that 450 ca, 1400-1500 mg and 11.5-12.5 works best for them. I was raising the alk a little at a time but my corals started shrinking up. Also alk would dip down more than 1ppm overnight so I couldn't keep it stable there.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I discuss the parameters I recommend here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/re...-coral-reef-aquarium-randy-holmes-farley.html

 

[prsnlty]

Thanks Randy, I'll be doing some reading tonight! Lol

 

[joekool]

Jackie sounds like Randy gave you good advice. I would quite casing that iron number. You tank is also considered very new by most. I waited many months before I started adding any SPS. I think it's just going to take time. More fish more time. Think you got it. Your tank will look fantastic I know it. Just going to take longer than you want. Unfortunately you can't rush a reef tank into awesomeness.

Okay later
Slainte, Joseph

 

[Triggreef]

IMO, that only applies to SPS, and primarily only if you actually get to ULNS conditions. Otherwise, higher alk can result in faster growth, if that is a goal.

That makes sense. Thanks

Good one! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Glad someone caught that.

 

[prsnlty]

Jackie sounds like Randy gave you good advice. I would quite casing that iron number. You tank is also considered very new by most. I waited many months before I started adding any SPS. I think it's just going to take time. More fish more time. Think you got it. Your tank will look fantastic I know it. Just going to take longer than you want. Unfortunately you can't rush a reef tank into awesomeness.

Okay later
Slainte, Joseph

I know you know I'm ocd over all the little stuff lol! Actually though, it's because when i started changing salts and it threw the tank out of wack so i changed back, I then became paranoid over the algae that showed up and yellowing of the monti cap. I had read that when this happens to check the iron content as it may be low. I did this and it read zero. So I got the iron up but it wouldn't stay up and would be back to zero the next day. Since I'm not a chemist I asked Randy about it I wanted to be sure this was ok and that I understood it - basically. I worked my butt off bringing my current acros back to life and wanted to be sure all is well.

All in all, i feel this tank is doing well and as expected or better for its age Would've been better had i not tried to change salts but it's fine now. It's me, "I" need help!!! Lol You should see me when it comes to woodworking, I drive Glenn crazy!