Help!!! Algae problem

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

I've had this algae problem for about a month and a half. I've done massive water changes and I checked all my levels. Everything is very good. I do not know what is causing this algae growth but do you have any ideas how I can get rid of it.

peterthegamer · Nov 11, 2013

Diatoms, usually from cycle or not using ro di water. Your tank might be cycling how long you have it for? Also do you use rodi water?

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

This Tank is been up for two years however I believe my are ODI water filters are little bit old. I ordered new ones today. What steps should I take now After i change my filters?

peterthegamer · Nov 11, 2013

Get the rodi water system soon asap. Try to run carbon less light and if you have a large tank maybe a sand sifting goby.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

I have one goby perhaps I need two. The RO filters are in their way. Thanks.

peterthegamer · Nov 11, 2013

Sorry It might be cynao alage. Run some carbon if you can get your hand on clemiclean review says it pretty good.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

Okay I have carbon and I also have Chemiclean. I'll start my dosing of it tonight. How Much carbon should I run for a 90 gallon tank?

peterthegamer · Nov 11, 2013

Just depending what company you are using. All will have direction, If it's a brownish or redish then it cynao alage. Usually carbon you don't have set limit though.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

Ok thanks

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

I don't have Chemiclean. I have ultra life red slime

cromag27 · Nov 11, 2013

Algae comes from nutrients. Find the source of the nutrients before you start putting junk in your tank. Also, it would be helpful to see your full tank parameters. Just saying they are 'fine' doesn't mean anything.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

What would you need to know. ammonia 0ppm, nitrate0ppm, salinity 1.24, PH 8.00, my cal and alk were on the high side so I cut back. I think this all started when I started using frozen food. Now when I use frozen food I wash it in RO water then strain it in my net. So all that goes in there is food. Anything else?

cromag27 · Nov 11, 2013

Parameters are numbers for - salinity, magnesium, calcium, alkalinity, ph, nitrates and phosphates (generally.) Saying they are 'good', 'perfect', 'high' or 'low' does not help. Testing your water with a high quality kit is mandatory for general upkeep and troubleshooting problems.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

Well my alk was 14.00 cal 540.0 phos 0.06. I'll test mag tomorrow.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

Sorry phosphate is 0.10

cromag27 · Nov 11, 2013

Your alk is wrong. I'd do it again.

algae lives off a few things including nutrients and light. Nutrients could come from not using 0 tds rodi water, over feeding or poor export methods. Or a combination of everything. You currently have detectable phosphates and that is a bad thing. You don't want high nitrates either. Water changes is the easiest method of getting rid of nutrients.

Algae blooms can also occur during a cycle, especially if anything was recently added to the tank.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

My RO filters are old. I ordered new ones today. When I make RO water my TDS meter is reading 001PPM.

cromag27 · Nov 11, 2013

Ro could read 1. What's important is that the roDI reads 0.

TimothyJ91 · Nov 11, 2013

Okay I will not use that water I will get rid of all of it and make freshwater once I get my filters. Then do a huge water change. What should I do with the algae in the tank? I try to siphon it out but it just falls out of the siphon.