Losing the battle with Algae, Looking for help

[Sharkz]

Been searching and reading about the different cures/causes of Algae but I'm losing the battle. Sorry if this post is long but trying to include all details. Little background first.

Tank is 11 months old. Red Sea Reefer 450 with 2 QD MP40's on the side. I run my Omega 180i skimmer wet. ATI Light with 9 month old ATI bulbs and the fixture is sitting 8 inches off the water. I run the lights only 8 hours at 50% with the Algae problem. I feed Spectrum and TDO pellets one day and 1 cube of frozen PE Mysis the next.

My recent parameters yesterday using 5 month old RED SEA Test Kits
Alk - 8DKH
Nitrate were zero for quite awhile. Recently allowed them to raise 2.0ppm
Nitrite -0
Ammonia -0
Phos reads -0 with two kits. But I know that can't be right with the Algae.
Calc- 450
MG - 1560

I first started battling Cyano algae on the back glass only about 2 months ago. I vacuumed it off every week when I did my weekly water change. It would return within days. Everything I have read said more flow and less feeding. My MP40's are almost wide-open and the tank has tons of flow. The existing corals are growing quite well, look great and have good polyp extension. I literally have Cyano waving on the back wall from the current and on the MP40 itself. So I'm really confused about the more flow information?

So I still have the Cyano and the last month now have green algae growing on the rocks itself. Started slow and has now come on strong. During weekly water changes I pull off what I can and tried to use a hard bristle brush to scrub the rest without much luck.

I first tried Peroxide starting slow and then dosed 1ML for every 10 gallons. It did slow down the Cyano but my Anemone sure didn't approve of that and the Cyano never went away so I stopped that.

I then tried Red Sea NOPOX which worked great for Nitrates. Took me from 8ppm to zero for over a month. Then I read that the balance of Nitrate and Phos were off. So I stopped the NO POX and my Nitrates are currently at 2ppm. Haven't dosed NOPOX in 2 weeks.

2 weeks ago I purchased a BRS reactor and started running BRS high capacity GFO. So far I haven't noticed a difference. Which brings me here. I have read about Chem clean but I would really like to learn and understand why this is happening and how to fix the problem, instead of dumping all these different products into my tank.

Can any suggest some reading or information based on what I have posted? Open to all suggestions. Thank you... I'll upload a few pictures if that helps..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Hey we're all beeen there. Post up a pic of the tank. Let's see the algae and get an ID. If it's bryopsis that's a while other realm.
My first thought is your working to hard. I'm a big big fan of scrubbing. And some times you have to restart. A restart if you do it right can take like three hours.

 

[Sharkz]

Trying to post a picture but photo bucket isn't cooperating. Don't think a restart is possible without losing too many coral colonies. I'm so determined to win this battle..

 

[Sharkz]

Sorry for the cell phone quality. You can see the Cyano on the back wall and also on top of the green algae between the corals. This is Pukani rock from BRS.

 

[Reef Nutrition]

Been searching and reading about the different cures/causes of Algae but I'm losing the battle. Sorry if this post is long but trying to include all details. Little background first.

Tank is 11 months old. Red Sea Reefer 450 with 2 QD MP40's on the side. I run my Omega 180i skimmer wet. ATI Light with 9 month old ATI bulbs and the fixture is sitting 8 inches off the water. I run the lights only 8 hours at 50% with the Algae problem. I feed Spectrum and TDO pellets one day and 1 cube of frozen PE Mysis the next.

My recent parameters yesterday using 5 month old RED SEA Test Kits
Alk - 8DKH
Nitrate were zero for quite awhile. Recently allowed them to raise 2.0ppm
Nitrite -0
Ammonia -0
Phos reads -0 with two kits. But I know that can't be right with the Algae.
Calc- 450
MG - 1560

I first started battling Cyano algae on the back glass only about 2 months ago. I vacuumed it off every week when I did my weekly water change. It would return within days. Everything I have read said more flow and less feeding. My MP40's are almost wide-open and the tank has tons of flow. The existing corals are growing quite well, look great and have good polyp extension. I literally have Cyano waving on the back wall from the current and on the MP40 itself. So I'm really confused about the more flow information?

So I still have the Cyano and the last month now have green algae growing on the rocks itself. Started slow and has now come on strong. During weekly water changes I pull off what I can and tried to use a hard bristle brush to scrub the rest without much luck.

I first tried Peroxide starting slow and then dosed 1ML for every 10 gallons. It did slow down the Cyano but my Anemone sure didn't approve of that and the Cyano never went away so I stopped that.

I then tried Red Sea NOPOX which worked great for Nitrates. Took me from 8ppm to zero for over a month. Then I read that the balance of Nitrate and Phos were off. So I stopped the NO POX and my Nitrates are currently at 2ppm. Haven't dosed NOPOX in 2 weeks.

2 weeks ago I purchased a BRS reactor and started running BRS high capacity GFO. So far I haven't noticed a difference. Which brings me here. I have read about Chem clean but I would really like to learn and understand why this is happening and how to fix the problem, instead of dumping all these different products into my tank.

Can any suggest some reading or information based on what I have posted? Open to all suggestions. Thank you... I'll upload a few pictures if that helps..

What size TDO are you using? Did you buy them from us or a store? If you don't mind me asking.

Chad

 

[biom]

You have to change ATI bulbs - 9 months is their maximum life. GFO will not help you to solve the problem. Are you using RO water?

 

[Sharkz]

What size TDO are you using? Did you buy them from us or a store? If you don't mind me asking.

Chad

Chad I started with C1 and now use Medium. I purchased them from a store about 4 hours away. Can't seem to find a good source for it. Do you sell it? Have a website?

 

[Sharkz]

Biom I do use RODI water. I have my own setup. I'll be ordering new bulbs this week. If the bulbs are the culprit then they will be changed every 9 months for sure!

 

[Reef Nutrition]

Chad I started with C1 and now use Medium. I purchased them from a store about 4 hours away. Can't seem to find a good source for it. Do you sell it? Have a website?

We prefer that you go to your LFS and buy it from them. We are trying to get it into more stores, but for now, we have found that customers simply go their LFS, put in an order for it and the store brings it in. It's just like a livestock special order.

If you decide to buy from us direct, please phone in the order; we have been having some issues with FedEx's shipping rates on our website.

Do you have a LFS that you frequent? We can always get them set up with us and get you what you need. Cheers!

Chad

 

[Sharkz]

We prefer that you go to your LFS and buy it from them. We are trying to get it into more stores, but for now, we have found that customers simply go their LFS, put in an order for it and the store brings it in. It's just like a livestock special order.

If you decide to buy from us direct, please phone in the order; we have been having some issues with FedEx's shipping rates on our website.

Do you have a LFS that you frequent? We can always get them set up with us and get you what you need. Cheers!

Chad

Already on it. Spoke with them yesterday about stocking some and becoming a dealer. Time will tell.

 

[Reef Nutrition]

Already on it. Spoke with them yesterday about stocking some and becoming a dealer. Time will tell.

Very good. Thanks for that. If we land that store, I will be contacting you to get you some free product! Guaranteed

Cheers,
Chad

 

[TbyZ]

Been searching and reading about the different cures/causes of Algae but I'm losing the battle. Sorry if this post is long but trying to include all details. Little background first.

Tank is 11 months old. Red Sea Reefer 450 with 2 QD MP40's on the side. I run my Omega 180i skimmer wet. ATI Light with 9 month old ATI bulbs and the fixture is sitting 8 inches off the water. I run the lights only 8 hours at 50% with the Algae problem. I feed Spectrum and TDO pellets one day and 1 cube of frozen PE Mysis the next.

My recent parameters yesterday using 5 month old RED SEA Test Kits
Alk - 8DKH
Nitrate were zero for quite awhile. Recently allowed them to raise 2.0ppm
Nitrite -0
Ammonia -0
Phos reads -0 with two kits. But I know that can't be right with the Algae.
Calc- 450
MG - 1560

I first started battling Cyano algae on the back glass only about 2 months ago. I vacuumed it off every week when I did my weekly water change. It would return within days. Everything I have read said more flow and less feeding. My MP40's are almost wide-open and the tank has tons of flow. The existing corals are growing quite well, look great and have good polyp extension. I literally have Cyano waving on the back wall from the current and on the MP40 itself. So I'm really confused about the more flow information?

So I still have the Cyano and the last month now have green algae growing on the rocks itself. Started slow and has now come on strong. During weekly water changes I pull off what I can and tried to use a hard bristle brush to scrub the rest without much luck.

I first tried Peroxide starting slow and then dosed 1ML for every 10 gallons. It did slow down the Cyano but my Anemone sure didn't approve of that and the Cyano never went away so I stopped that.

I then tried Red Sea NOPOX which worked great for Nitrates. Took me from 8ppm to zero for over a month. Then I read that the balance of Nitrate and Phos were off. So I stopped the NO POX and my Nitrates are currently at 2ppm. Haven't dosed NOPOX in 2 weeks.

2 weeks ago I purchased a BRS reactor and started running BRS high capacity GFO. So far I haven't noticed a difference. Which brings me here. I have read about Chem clean but I would really like to learn and understand why this is happening and how to fix the problem, instead of dumping all these different products into my tank.

Can any suggest some reading or information based on what I have posted? Open to all suggestions. Thank you... I'll upload a few pictures if that helps..

Been searching and reading about the different cures/causes of Algae but I'm losing the battle. Sorry if this post is long but trying to include all details. Little background first.

Tank is 11 months old. Red Sea Reefer 450 with 2 QD MP40's on the side. I run my Omega 180i skimmer wet. ATI Light with 9 month old ATI bulbs and the fixture is sitting 8 inches off the water. I run the lights only 8 hours at 50% with the Algae problem. I feed Spectrum and TDO pellets one day and 1 cube of frozen PE Mysis the next.

My recent parameters yesterday using 5 month old RED SEA Test Kits
Alk - 8DKH
Nitrate were zero for quite awhile. Recently allowed them to raise 2.0ppm
Nitrite -0
Ammonia -0
Phos reads -0 with two kits. But I know that can't be right with the Algae.
Calc- 450
MG - 1560

I first started battling Cyano algae on the back glass only about 2 months ago. I vacuumed it off every week when I did my weekly water change. It would return within days. Everything I have read said more flow and less feeding. My MP40's are almost wide-open and the tank has tons of flow. The existing corals are growing quite well, look great and have good polyp extension. I literally have Cyano waving on the back wall from the current and on the MP40 itself. So I'm really confused about the more flow information?

So I still have the Cyano and the last month now have green algae growing on the rocks itself. Started slow and has now come on strong. During weekly water changes I pull off what I can and tried to use a hard bristle brush to scrub the rest without much luck.

I first tried Peroxide starting slow and then dosed 1ML for every 10 gallons. It did slow down the Cyano but my Anemone sure didn't approve of that and the Cyano never went away so I stopped that.

I then tried Red Sea NOPOX which worked great for Nitrates. Took me from 8ppm to zero for over a month. Then I read that the balance of Nitrate and Phos were off. So I stopped the NO POX and my Nitrates are currently at 2ppm. Haven't dosed NOPOX in 2 weeks.

2 weeks ago I purchased a BRS reactor and started running BRS high capacity GFO. So far I haven't noticed a difference. Which brings me here. I have read about Chem clean but I would really like to learn and understand why this is happening and how to fix the problem, instead of dumping all these different products into my tank.

Can any suggest some reading or information based on what I have posted? Open to all suggestions. Thank you... I'll upload a few pictures if that helps..

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/algae-problems-things-to-consider.289975/

Keep in mind that you won't measure ammonia if the cyno is sucking it out of the water