HELP!!!! Magic Algae!

svSabine

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Good morning,

So, I've hesitated to post this because I thought I could get this under control myself. However, I've got an algae problem. Specifically, cyano / red slime. The crazy part is, everything in the tank is as it should be. Phosphates, nitrates, nitrites .... all zero. PH 8.27, Alk 9.5, SG 1.026.

I have a 180gallon reef, with an 80 gallon sump w/ fuge, Reef Octo skimmer, and live rock in a separate sump (just for surface area). Total water volume through the system is about 250 gallons (Fish room is well away from the reef tank so I have a lot of volume tied up in plumbing). I also run (2) GAC reactors and (2) GFO reactors which return to the system through a 200 micron mechanical filtration system (so no dust in the tank). I have flow meters on the return lines, so I know I am pumping exactly 17.34 gallons p/m back to the tank ( 1040gph = 5.78x turn rate). From there I have 2x Tunze circulation pumps in-tank, each pushing about 2,100 GPH for a total circulation of 5,240gph (29.11x). The whole system is controlled by a vast network of Apex hardware.

The only place I can think I might be light, is on my cleaning crew... I don't have a ton of snails or crabs in the tank, but I do have a sand sifting sea star, some nessarious, and few crabs.

With regard to Livestock, I run a mixed LPS/SPS reef (LPS dominant). I have a foxface, (2) Chromis, (2) Antheas, 1 Longhorn Cow Infant, Tomato Clown, Juvenile hippo tang, small yellow tang, and a Kole tang.

Any advice is welcome advice. I need to get this straightened out. My phosphates had been high, so I really through adding the GFO would take care of this, but it's been a month now and no-dice.
 
I disagree with the use of chemi clean mainly because it masks the central problem that is sourcing the cyano.

Unfortunately, phosphate tests often prove to be unreliable or simply innacurate. I feel nitrate tests tend to be far better.

While GFO may be beneficial, I think other areas may need to be further scrutinized. Specifically, whats your feeding regimen for both your fish and corals?

What is your light situation?

Another big indicator would be other type of problematic algaes... do you have any?

This is definitively not a quick fix situation. Understand this could take months to remedy. Keep this mind set, and keeping patience should be easier to do.

For now, actively suck out whatever cyano you can. Change carbon around the 2 to 3 week mark, GFO around the 5 week mark, if possible.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

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