Hair Algae outbreak in newer sumpless/skimmerless 40B

[fishbox]

So the tank isn't quite 1yr old.yet (maybe around 8-9mos). I started with dry rock from BRS. Water is all from BRS 5 stage RODI unit measuring 0 TDS and I use IO salt. I do 20% water changes weekly. It all started after adding my CBB. When I first got him about a month ago I was pretty much dumping all kinds of food in the tank for about a week to find out what he would eat I then did a 50% water change after that. Now that I know what he eats I feed daily about a half a cube of LRS fish Frenzy in the morning that later in the day about a pea-sized gob of Masstick. I know the issue is that my phosphates are through the roof. I don't think I'm overfeeding now as the fish seem to eat most of what hits the tank. I use an ultra low Hanna checker and it's reading at the checkers Max reading. I really think I just need to incorporate better export methods besides just water changes. I do plan to add a sump and a skimmer. However I currently have a phosban 550 sitting here that I planned on converting to an algae reactor. So my question is which should I focus on first getting the sump up and running this week so I can eventually get a skimmer or should I just go ahead and get the algae reactor hanging on the back of the tank now which would be more effective?

 

[Tautog]

No skimmer is a problem, buy a larger, quality skimmer. A sump would also help with the skimmer, skimmers like to over-flow when they react to things you add. I like Reef Octopus, very easy to clean, set-up, easy to dail in.you didn't mention the size of your tank, but I have a 180, with 60 gal sump, my skimmer is rated for 250-300 gal. Bigger is better here

 

[fishbox]

Sorry, tank is a 40B.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yep, skimmer is a good idea, as is the sump. Sump will give you space to use a larger skimmer. More water volume is always a good thing. While dealing with the algae issue, cut back on the feedings to once a day. When feeding, flow off and only feed just enough that most of it gets eaten.

Questions: what lighting are you using?

What rock are you using?


Water changes will help, as well as vacuuming the sand during a water change. Vacuuming the sand bed can help reduce the waste that's releasing nutrients into the water. GFO use will help reduce the PO4 and GAC will help with the excess nutrients suspended in the water column.

 

[keddre]

I'm going to say algae reactor. While it will start slowly before it starts making a big difference, I believe a skimmer will take a couple weeks to break in and start working. But that's off of readings alone, I have no personal experience with skimmers

 

[Flippers4pups]

I'm going to say algae reactor. While it will start slowly before it starts making a big difference, I believe a skimmer will take a couple weeks to break in and start working. But that's off of readings alone, I have no personal experience with skimmers

While a ATS may help, they can take weeks to establish, much, much longer than a skimmer would take to break in. Skimmer can be up and skimming within hours as opposed to weeks.

 

[keddre]

While a ATS may help, they can take weeks to establish

Maybe I'm reading wrong but I thought he meant one that you pack with chaeto.

Skimmer can be up and skimming within hours as opposed to weeks

Didn't know this though. The more I learn

 

[Flippers4pups]

Maybe I'm reading wrong but I thought he meant one that you pack with chaeto.


Didn't know this though. The more I learn

chaetomorpha reactor may help as well, but will still take time. Skimmer would be help immediately combined with GFO in the reactor.

Reducing the source of the PO4 is target. Suspect possible over feeding, thus reducing feeding.

Lighting plays a factor as well. Duration of light schedule and type of light source.

Removal of detritus/waste from sand bed may help as well.

 

[rock_lobster]

Sump, skimmer and chaeto will do the trick.

 

[rockstarta78]

Regardless of whichever route you take I'd keep doing the weekly WC. Your water is already nutrient rich. So adding a Sump/Skimmer, Chaeto reactor ............all these are going to take time to get established. But I'd still do that. I'd say, stick with the WC, while you are setting up both the sump and chaeto reactor. I'd do sump/skimmer before the reactor. But that's just me.

 

[fishbox]

Yep, skimmer is a good idea, as is the sump. Sump will give you space to use a larger skimmer. More water volume is always a good thing. While dealing with the algae issue, cut back on the feedings to once a day. When feeding, flow off and only feed just enough that most of it gets eaten.

Questions: what lighting are you using?

What rock are you using?


Water changes will help, as well as vacuuming the sand during a water change. Vacuuming the sand bed can help reduce the waste that's releasing nutrients into the water. GFO use will help reduce the PO4 and GAC will help with the excess nutrients suspended in the water column.

Mars Aqua led's and Pukani dry rock from BRS. (spelling)

 

[fishbox]

Maybe I'm reading wrong but I thought he meant one that you pack with chaeto.


Didn't know this though. The more I learn

Yes I'm talking bout a chaetomorpha reactor

 

[fishbox]

Thanks for the tips. I'm gonna start with the cheato reactor since I can get it up sooner and cheaper as I already have the reactor. I would have to order the glass for baffles in the sump and a skimmer but will still implement them

 

[aKlevans]

I've heard that pukani rock can contain some phosphates. Did you cure the rock?

 

[fishbox]

No I didn't. Just wanted to get something going.

 

[aKlevans]

No I didn't. Just wanted to get something going.

That could be the reason for nutrients to be in the water, though that won't change how you deal with them. I would still cut back on feeding and get either a protein skimmer, algae reactor, or both.

I know how you feel, I didn't cure my dry rock either

 

[fishbox]

The only reason I feed twice a day is because of the CBB. I thought they were constant pickers and need to be fed more often?

 

[Mr.Rocc]

I agree with everyone with the skimmer. Buy a good quality skimmer that will work for a larger bioload than you have like 60-75 gallons so you can expand if needed. Also don't buy a skimmer until you have a sump. If you buy a hang on back skimmer you will be kicking yourself in the butt when you then buy a sump.