Please help! Dr Tims Waste Away? Chemiclean? Patience?

[SCHAULJ]

I need some guidance... My reefer 350 (91g) has experienced a bacteria bloom that I can't seem to get rid of. The bacteria is largely on the rocks and looks like whitish/brownish fuzzys all over the rocks. I complete a 10g water change every 2 weeks although my last couple were increased to 15g to try to get rid of this mess. Water isn't crystal clear nor is it cloudy. I feed 3 times a day from an auto feeder - pellets, NLS. Small amounts. I may have introduced the bacteria by sticking my hands in the tank - feeding Nori (every other day) or during water changes. Any guidance or feedback is welcomed.

I was confident using the Waste Away product until i read some other users expereince.

My Nitrates are zero - waste away is supposed to lower Nitrates?

Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0ppm
PH 8 ppm

 

[Reefadore]

I have been battling GHA for months now, and also when I first established my 2nd tank (August 2018) I battled what you are talking about as well for months. I have utilized the chemical way and have found that it only covers up the real issue and cause all sorts of other algae outbreaks. Right now I am utilizing Chemipure blue in my filtration, with filter floss - this is to manage the “undetectable” phosphates in the tank which could be primary cause of outbreak. All of my test kits were reading 0 ppm for Ammonia, nitrite, phosphate, nitrate and still are.

 

[csb123]

How old is your tank? It looks quite new.

 

[SCHAULJ]

How old is your tank? It looks quite new.

6 months old. Limited stock - 2 clowns, flame angel, blue damsel and yellow tang - all doing great!

 

[SCHAULJ]

Im leaning towards patience as there is no quick fix in this hobby. You are welcome to check out my build thread - paints a pretty good picture of the aquarium and its contents!

 

[SCHAULJ]

Bump - any other thoughts or experiences to share? Looking for the reef communities intel here .

 

[Mical]

What do you have in your tank that you are feeding three times a day?

 

[mta_morrow]

Does it blow off with a turkey baster? Also having zero nitrates and phosphates opens the door for Dino’s. Can you get a close up pic under white light?

 

[SCHAULJ]

It doesn't easily blow off. Do these pictures help at all?

 

[SCHAULJ]

What do you have in your tank that you are feeding three times a day?

Livestock noted above. Just small handful of pellets each time. All consumed in a matter of 1-2 minutes. Don't believe I have an overfeeding issue as Nitrates are 0, agree?

 

[mta_morrow]

I’m leaning toward Dino’s from the pics and running zero nutrients.

 

[SCHAULJ]

Zero nutrients isn't intentional - should I turn off my skimmer for a bit? Suggestions on treating? Thoughts? Appreciate this in advance!

 

[mta_morrow]

Zero nutrients isn't intentional - should I turn off my skimmer for a bit? Suggestions on treating? Thoughts? Appreciate this in advance!

IMO, you need to get nitrates to 5-10 and phosphates.05-.1. Let algae grow. Turning off the skimmer is a good start. Zero nutrients is bad! Even your corals need nitrates and phosphates.

 

[clm65]

Seems like the advice I've seen in similar situations is to ease up or stop the water changes, and turn off the skimmer as recommended above. Your tank still is relatively new, so I think patience is appropriate versus chemical fixes in this case.

 

[ReeferNtraining]

I personally believe those little fuzzy things on the rock are some stage of Dino. Every time I’ve had a Dino outbreak, I notice those. That also would not be surprising with 0 phos and 0 nitrates. I would focus on getting those numbers up first and foremost. I’ve used Brightwell NeoPhos occasionally for PO4, I use my local clubs N03 Nitrate mix but I believe Brightwell has a product too. The other thing that will quickly give you some nutrients is Reef Roids. Good luck!

Zero nutrients isn't intentional - should I turn off my skimmer for a bit? Suggestions on treating? Thoughts? Appreciate this in advance!

 

[SCHAULJ]

Avoid Waste Away and Chemiclean? Thoughts on turning skimmer off for a bit AND adding red sea reef spec carbon to the sump to get rid of the bad organics?

Again thank you. I appreciate this.

 

[Waynerock]

I need some guidance... My reefer 350 (91g) has experienced a bacteria bloom that I can't seem to get rid of. The bacteria is largely on the rocks and looks like whitish/brownish fuzzys all over the rocks. I complete a 10g water change every 2 weeks although my last couple were increased to 15g to try to get rid of this mess. Water isn't crystal clear nor is it cloudy. I feed 3 times a day from an auto feeder - pellets, NLS. Small amounts. I may have introduced the bacteria by sticking my hands in the tank - feeding Nori (every other day) or during water changes. Any guidance or feedback is welcomed.

I was confident using the Waste Away product until i read some other users expereince.

My Nitrates are zero - waste away is supposed to lower Nitrates?

Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0ppm
PH 8 ppm

UV will clear the water up quick as for the rocks I had that as well and let it do it’s thing and eventually the coraline moved in and made the rocks purple. Try running the skimmer at night only at first instead of completely turning it off the gas exchange is a good thing

 

[SCHAULJ]

Sounds good, ill run the skimmer with out the cup so the tank still has good aeration/oxygen levels. Ill add the cup at night. Thanks all. Ill see what results this and patience provides. Ill skip this weekends water change as well.

 

[mta_morrow]

Sounds good, ill run the skimmer with out the cup so the tank still has good aeration/oxygen levels. Ill add the cup at night. Thanks all. Ill see what results this and patience provides. Ill skip this weekends water change as well.

Good. And add the carbon too. Dino’s are toxic as they die off

 

[SCHAULJ]

Carbon going in. Thanks all!