Randy help on hair algae

[Arnie]

I have my system up for about 14mths now...
Still cant balance why hair algae is constantly growing..
Please advise...
Running a 65g with aqueon sump 17g i think.. skimmer, mp10, coralife t4 4bulb, 8hrs a day...

 

[twilliard]

Randy may not be back in till the morning but the biggest question about any algae is "what am I feeding it"
If you understand what that is then you have the key to its demise

 

[NicksMixedReef]

Another possibility could also be your rocks are leaching phosphates. But being at the 14 month mark you'd have to be using older rocks or had one super phosphate filled tank for a year lol

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The two ways to beat algae are to export as much or more nutrients than you feed, and to add creatures that eat the algae. Both work well.

If you are aiming for a low nutrient system (like many SPS tanks) you can beat green algae that way. In a higher nutrient tank (like mine) herbivores play a big role. I have a one spot foxface and a yellow tang that keep all algae down.

In terms of nutrients, phosphate is often the easiest to take down to levels where the algae stop thriving.

I discuss how to reduce phosphate here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley/

 

[Reefing Madness]

http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/foiling-phosphate

 

[Arnie]

The two ways to beat algae are to export as much or more nutrients than you feed, and to add creatures that eat the algae. Both work well.

If you are aiming for a low nutrient system (like many SPS tanks) you can beat green algae that way. In a higher nutrient tank (like mine) herbivores play a big role. I have a one spot foxface and a yellow tang that keep all algae down.

In terms of nutrients, phosphate is often the easiest to take down to levels where the algae stop thriving.

I discuss how to reduce phosphate here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley/

Thanks Randy...
Heres a pic of my test results...

Its weird coz i only feed once every 3 days some flakes for 3 fishes... and dont feed my bubble coral and anemone...and mushroom.. have caulerpa and macro in refugium below and a protein skimmer thats all for the circulation... have chemi pute elite and carbon bags in sump...
Dosing once or 2x a week b-ionic 2 part.

I need to check my tap water for phosphate..

 

[madtownguy]

Thanks Randy...
Heres a pic of my test results...

Its weird coz i only feed once every 3 days some flakes for 3 fishes... and dont feed my bubble coral and anemone...and mushroom.. have caulerpa and macro in refugium below and a protein skimmer thats all for the circulation... have chemi pute elite and carbon bags in sump...
Dosing once or 2x a week b-ionic 2 part.

I need to check my tap water for phosphate..

Tap water?

 

[Arnie]

Tap water?

Yes... ive been using tap water lately....

I wasnt able to do my small aquaticlife rp buddie for the past 6 months...

 

[twilliard]

The culprit starts to show itself

 

[Arnie]

The two ways to beat algae are to export as much or more nutrients than you feed, and to add creatures that eat the algae. Both work well.

If you are aiming for a low nutrient system (like many SPS tanks) you can beat green algae that way. In a higher nutrient tank (like mine) herbivores play a big role. I have a one spot foxface and a yellow tang that keep all algae down.

In terms of nutrients, phosphate is often the easiest to take down to levels where the algae stop thriving.

I discuss how to reduce phosphate here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/phosphate-in-the-reef-aquarium-by-randy-holmes-farley/

You mentioned vinegar dosing... since im very tight on budget lately...
What would be a recomended dosage per day for an approx 80g water volume tank and sump...

Im making water from my ro unit while doing this message....

 

[madtownguy]

I would just keep away from the tap water, clean a lot until it clears up. Do water changes every week. Get a little clean up guy for the rock. I've never used tap water, even in an emergency. I wouldn't drink it myself and the fish are more sensitive than me. To give you an idea of the difference, my tap water runs at about 310-350 parts per million. After RO treatment it runs 5-7 ppm. That's like 70x's more crud in the water, all that crud will do different things to a tank. I personally don't like dosing a tank with anything, certainly not if fish aren't dying or anything. The reef thing isn't a quick reward type thing, be patient and use some elbow grease would be my recommendation.

 

[twilliard]

So well stated.
I used to dose methanol don't get me wrong it did its job but I should rather let nature and my brain keep her clean.
here is a shot of my tank after a back to back heater failure and skimmer leak (on the brick, soaked it up before I noticed ) Dec 2014
temp was 89 and salinity was 1.010


Now after 7 months of hard work

 

[Arnie]

I would just keep away from the tap water, clean a lot until it clears up. Do water changes every week. Get a little clean up guy for the rock. I've never used tap water, even in an emergency. I wouldn't drink it myself and the fish are more sensitive than me. To give you an idea of the difference, my tap water runs at about 310-350 parts per million. After RO treatment it runs 5-7 ppm. That's like 70x's more crud in the water, all that crud will do different things to a tank. I personally don't like dosing a tank with anything, certainly not if fish aren't dying or anything. The reef thing isn't a quick reward type thing, be patient and use some elbow grease would be my recommendation.

Whats a good clean up guy? I still have 2 snails.. 2 urchins.. my lawnmower died

 

[GainesvilleReef]

IMO, an RODI system is one of the best ways you can spend $150 in reefing.

 

[GainesvilleReef]

You need to clean up the water first. But you will be surprised with what you can do with a good pair of forceps for the hair algae and siphoning off the cyano. But its a waste of time till you get the water cleaned up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Vinegar dosing is a slow process and also depends on the nitrate level. I'd wait to see what happens after stopping the tap water.

I'd also measure the tap water.

 

[puffer420]

Tap water no no no. I tried to to saltwater with out and rodi and after a year of diatoms and algae broke down and got one after a few months of no more tap water thanks cleared up. I would Definitly say if you get one or even just buy water you'll notice The difference.

 

[Arnie]

I just built this diy algae scrubber using my old cartridge filter... i hope it works....
Also, switching back to ro water... ordered the extra attachment for mixed color resin bag for DI...

I hope this will start a good healthy tank..

 

[domingo]

Try dosing a carbon source. Like alcohol, acetic acid, and sugar. It works great.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just built this diy algae scrubber using my old cartridge filter... i hope it works....
Also, switching back to ro water... ordered the extra attachment for mixed color resin bag for DI...

I hope this will start a good healthy tank..

Sounds like a good plan.