Nitrate and film algae reduction?

[nikki7181]

My tank has been set up for almost 2 years. I have a 55 gallon with a bio wheel skimmer that I inherited. I have always had trouble with high nitrates, but now I a high spike along with a film algae problem. I know the spike is partly due to my husband adding more fish without consulting me, but it's almost 160 now. Any feedback is more than welcome.

 

[Spare time]

Try some Dr Tim's waste away and see how that goes. I can recommend some more bacterial products if you'd like or more permanent solutions. Otherwise a big water change would be best.

 

[nikki7181]

I was about to order Marine Pure. Any thoughts on that? I will look up Dr Tim's first. I have been doing 2 10% WC per week so far. Thank you for any recommendations.

 

[lion king]

There's no easy fix to nitrates that high, continue water changes. The best solution to nitrtates is macro algae. Sound like you don't have a sump, you can add an algae reactor or a hob refugium. Marine Pure needs to be place in an area of low flow, usually best in tanks with a sump, and even then its a 50/50 proposition at best, if you get good results it wouldntake forever. Continueing water changes and adding macro, you'll be good in no time, and be in good shape to maintain.

 

[nikki7181]

There's no easy fix to nitrates that high, continue water changes. The best solution to nitrtates is macro algae. Sound like you don't have a sump, you can add an algae reactor or a hob refugium. Marine Pure needs to be place in an area of low flow, usually best in tanks with a sump, and even then its a 50/50 proposition at best, if you get good results it wouldntake forever. Continueing water changes and adding macro, you'll be good in no time, and be in good shape to maintain.

I have a sump with cheato larger than a softball. I should probably add more. Thank you.

 

[lion king]

I have a sump with cheato larger than a softball. I should probably add more. Thank you.

Are you seeing growth. Growth would equal absorption of nutrients. A tuned in refuge you would be regularly harvesting your macro. The light, light cycle, and flow make a big difference.

 

[nikki7181]

Are you seeing growth. Growth would equal absorption of nutrients. A tuned in refuge you would be regularly harvesting your macro. The light, light cycle, and flow make a big difference.

No, I'm not seeing growth. I've just been happy it still looks healthy. The last batch I had died. I have a light on it, but it only has day and moon light mode. I am probably not keeping it on for the proper time.

 

[brandon429]

your tank is experiencing aging and the lead up is not a surprise, added feed and bioload + years of typical aquarium storage.

you need to disassembly clean the tank, the hard work method

that rids waste.

if you dose things, or kill algae in tank, you increase the breakdown wastes we'd be removing 100% in a disassembly cleaning.

deep cleaning and new water fixes the clouding issue, and that can be done as a skip cycle 4 hour job, new reef by tomorrow.
here is one, your tank will shine like this one. if you keep the high bioload, then repeat as needed until you export clouding your condition will remain.

everything is brown...

Hello all I was hoping somebody could help guide me through an algae issue Im having with a fairly new tank. This is my first attempt at a reef tank, I just have a tiny 15 Litre nano tank. The tank finished cycling about 6 weeks ago, levels are all 0 for nitrites, ammonia and nitrates. I am...

www.reef2reef.com

the lowest nitrate you can have is to remove waste generation as the main source, leaving only your fish and feed bioloading.

currently its fish, feed, + anywhere in the system a large cloud of waste exists such as sandbed if applicable. your high nitrates aren't dangerous, they just shift what grows in your system.

 

[lion king]

No, I'm not seeing growth. I've just been happy it still looks healthy. The last batch I had died. I have a light on it, but it only has day and moon light mode. I am probably not keeping it on for the proper time.

You can light your refuge from 8-12 hours day, any more is not good, they do need a dark period, just like plants and algae in nature. Your light does need to strong enough, but simple is just as good as high end. I've had good results from 6500k par38 bulbs you can get from Lowes, led grow lights that are usually red in spectrum, and I am currently loving my new refuge using a Tunze submersible 6500k. Flow seems to do better with lesser flow than greater flow, high flow sumps usually don't do that great. Your flow is likely not too high on a 55g. I run high nutrient predator tanks with a skimmer and a refuge, I keep nitrates and phosphates undetectable. Didn't ask if you are running a skimmer.

 

[nikki7181]

You can light your refuge from 8-12 hours day, any more is not good, they do need a dark period, just like plants and algae in nature. Your light does need to strong enough, but simple is just as good as high end. I've had good results from 6500k par38 bulbs you can get from Lowes, led grow lights that are usually red in spectrum, and I am currently loving my new refuge using a Tunze submersible 6500k. Flow seems to do better with lesser flow than greater flow, high flow sumps usually don't do that great. Your flow is likely not too high on a 55g. I run high nutrient predator tanks with a skimmer and a refuge, I keep nitrates and phosphates undetectable. Didn't ask if you are running a skimmer.

I've been using a clip on LED for planted aquariums. I don't know what the par rating is on it. I probably have been running it too long during the day. The tank has a bio wheel skimmer. I just ordered more macro algae for the display.