No protein skimmer cause algae outbreak?

[shogun1964]

My phosphate and nitrates are 0 on the API test kits but I'm still experiencing brown algae outbreaks. I'm not using a protein skimmer as yet, could this be the problem or do I need to do more than 8 gallons a week water change on a 60 gallon tank?

 

[Reefing Madness]

How old is the tank?

 

[ndrwater]

Sounds like a typical case of the "new tank uglies"
A protein skimmer will help, but removing Dissolved organics is only part of the solution. Once your tank gets a little older, things will settle down quite a bit.
Your water change schedule sounds fine as long as the source water you are using is a high quality like RODI.

 

[shogun1964]

6

How old is the tank?

6 Months

 

[Steved350]

My phosphate and nitrates are 0 on the API test kits but I'm still experiencing brown algae outbreaks. I'm not using a protein skimmer as yet, could this be the problem or do I need to do more than 8 gallons a week water change on a 60 gallon tank?

Whats your fish load?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Possible still encountering Diatoms.

 

[shogun1964]

3 fish, peppermint shrimp, snails

 

[Vahanyos]

I had bad algae the first 3-4 months and it actually went away pretty noticeably when I added a nice hunky skimmer. I would do 10-15 gallon water changes tho. I run a 55 and I noticed better parameters when I upped my water change amount

 

[Vahanyos]

Or it can also be the ugly tank stage. My tank had crazy algae, digitate hydroids all over the tank, and etc... I'm sure my skimmer helped but overtime it got more mature and it all went away.

 

[luke33]

What are you using for nutrient export? If your relying exclusively on water changes to keep your tank in check that doesn't work imo. Do you have to have a skimmer? No, but imo you have to have a means of nutrient export.

 

[glb]

Sounds like new tank problems. But a skimmer will certainly help!

 

[Brew12]

I would also point out that you may only be seeing 0ppm PO4 and NO3 because it is being consumed by the algae. Your nutrient load may still be high so a skimmer could help.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

With no skimmer. Waterchanges and very good mechanical export is essential.

You'd still have to scrub algae with a skimmer.