Reef Flux-Giving in to Algae

[Susan Edwards]

I have a newish system--an upgrade from 125g to approx 220g total water (depending on calculators). Almost 5.5 mo old. RS 3xl 900, 240 total vol. Some old rock with corals on them, some added to sump, and the rest new rock (caribsea & real reef). Bottled bacteria and no cycle. Very low no3 and po4 for the first few months and great coral growth. Used hanna and api. Then realized after I got the hanna no3 I had higher no3 than I thought-20-40 instead of 5-10. Algae started.

Didn't want to have to resort to chemicals, but I cannot get rid of the algae. No3 holding under 20. Mostly under 10. PO 4 under .18-usually around .08-.09. Some of the algae seems to be acting like an algae scrubber. Long and waving in the strong flow so am thinking the algae in tank affecting or hiding my correct numbers.

Trident:
Ca 416 Mg 1549 Alk 8.5
Hanna
No3 .9 PO4 .08
No water changes. Have DOS to hook up awc but tank has been low nutrients--Po 4 sometimes bottoms out, No3 under 5 or even lower, so haven't done any. Have UV running about 45% of my dc 10000 pump.

I dose alk/ca/mg and nopox. Manually dose phyto (100-150ml day), and trace colors. Neophose when needed and MB7 weekly or bi-weekly. Was using vibrant as well.

Have a double sump. Do have trouble with flow in 2nd sump. Using a powerhead even though that might not be good for pods (pushing water from front section into back refugium section. So its better now-no film on top now

I'm planning to dose reef flux as corals are now in jeopardy of the algae. Rocks are such I cannot remove to scrub

I have 2 bottles of reef flux , each treats 100 gal. It also says to use 10 capsules for 100 gal system, regardless of rock, so my actual system is 240 but the sump of course is not full to top or the display. If I take rock and sand out of calculation, I get about 226g.

That means 20 capsules for 200 gal.
Each capsule treats 10 gal so add 2 or 3 extra.

Should I add more bottle bacteria while this is in use? Continue with MB 7? Stopped using vibrant

Should I add air stones to the sump or display? I'll point returns a bit high and turn up the 2 RS 45's to keep good surface agitation.

I've used before in old tank. Nervous using in new!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a newish system--an upgrade from 125g to approx 220g total water (depending on calculators). Almost 5.5 mo old. RS 3xl 900, 240 total vol. Some old rock with corals on them, some added to sump, and the rest new rock (caribsea & real reef). Bottled bacteria and no cycle. Very low no3 and po4 for the first few months and great coral growth. Used hanna and api. Then realized after I got the hanna no3 I had higher no3 than I thought-20-40 instead of 5-10. Algae started.

Didn't want to have to resort to chemicals, but I cannot get rid of the algae. No3 holding under 20. Mostly under 10. PO 4 under .18-usually around .08-.09. Some of the algae seems to be acting like an algae scrubber. Long and waving in the strong flow so am thinking the algae in tank affecting or hiding my correct numbers.

Trident:
Ca 416 Mg 1549 Alk 8.5
Hanna
No3 .9 PO4 .08
No water changes. Have DOS to hook up awc but tank has been low nutrients--Po 4 sometimes bottoms out, No3 under 5 or even lower, so haven't done any. Have UV running about 45% of my dc 10000 pump.

I dose alk/ca/mg and nopox. Manually dose phyto (100-150ml day), and trace colors. Neophose when needed and MB7 weekly or bi-weekly. Was using vibrant as well.

Have a double sump. Do have trouble with flow in 2nd sump. Using a powerhead even though that might not be good for pods (pushing water from front section into back refugium section. So its better now-no film on top now

I'm planning to dose reef flux as corals are now in jeopardy of the algae. Rocks are such I cannot remove to scrub

I have 2 bottles of reef flux , each treats 100 gal. It also says to use 10 capsules for 100 gal system, regardless of rock, so my actual system is 240 but the sump of course is not full to top or the display. If I take rock and sand out of calculation, I get about 226g.

That means 20 capsules for 200 gal.
Each capsule treats 10 gal so add 2 or 3 extra.

Should I add more bottle bacteria while this is in use? Continue with MB 7? Stopped using vibrant

Should I add air stones to the sump or display? I'll point returns a bit high and turn up the 2 RS 45's to keep good surface agitation.

I've used before in old tank. Nervous using in new!

Bacteria such as MB 7 or MB XLM will be helpful
Flux is generally effective with bryopsis and not hair algae, lyngbya and similar
Reducing white light intensity, pulling by hand and adding cleaner snails generally successful method

 

[DeepintheReef]

I’ve had success with reef flux and hair algae, but it usually takes twice as long as bryopsis to disappear. Keeping up manual removal and adding some extra clean up crew will help. Also try upping the nopox a bit as the algae is undoubtedly using up some of your nitrate and phosphate

 

[Spare time]

Bacteria such as MB 7 or MB XLM will be helpful
Flux is generally effective with bryopsis and not hair algae, lyngbya and similar
Reducing white light intensity, pulling by hand and adding cleaner snails generally successful method

Flux does just fine for derbesia hair algae.

 

[Hallowhead]

I find that flux helps remove the current living hairs, but does not kill the spores. I am struggling to kill off this round of hair algae currently after failed flux. I will say I just put my skimmer back into action after months of being turned off. The skim is DARK darker than ever, i'd make sure you're exporting nutrients.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Flux does just fine for derbesia hair algae.

Flux does just fine for derbesia hair algae.

Not sure where you’re getting this info but after years of this product, concluded fluconasal is an alternative- not a solution and according to manufacturer website:
Note: Not effective against hair or other turf style algae.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Bacteria such as MB 7 or MB XLM will be helpful
Flux is generally effective with bryopsis and not hair algae, lyngbya and similar
Reducing white light intensity, pulling by hand and adding cleaner snails generally successful method

I've had it work with hair. Takes a lot longer. Can't pull it. or much. Will keep trying to get some out. Have hermits, emeralds and snails. Will order some more. No one is touching this stuff White light is at 8% blue 75. Will see what mb xlm is.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I’ve had success with reef flux and hair algae, but it usually takes twice as long as bryopsis to disappear. Keeping up manual removal and adding some extra clean up crew will help. Also try upping the nopox a bit as the algae is undoubtedly using up some of your nitrate and phosphate

that's a good point. I had lowered nopox due to lower numbers.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Not sure where you’re getting this info but after years of this product, concluded fluconasal is an alternative- not a solution and according to manufacturer website:
Note: Not effective against hair or other turf style algae.

last tank with bad algae I used both flux and vibrant and eventually got it all gone. Had green, bryopsis and turb

 

[Susan Edwards]

Dosed the mb7 and shut UV and skimmer down. For 3 days I believe on both. Removed all media. After 3 days or if I see po4 climb, I'll add the phosguard in. Will add the flux before bed.

thoughts anyone of needing airstones etc?

cleaned skimmer cup! Will add some silicone to the oring before I put it back in. It is too big for my hands so very difficult to remove. Plan to brush the inside of skimmer before I start it back up.

fingers crossed...

 

[DeepintheReef]

Dosed the mb7 and shut UV and skimmer down. For 3 days I believe on both. Removed all media. After 3 days or if I see po4 climb, I'll add the phosguard in. Will add the flux before bed.

thoughts anyone of needing airstones etc?

cleaned skimmer cup! Will add some silicone to the oring before I put it back in. It is too big for my hands so very difficult to remove. Plan to brush the inside of skimmer before I start it back up.

fingers crossed...

To keep up aeration, I usually continue to run the skimmer, raised up higher than normal, and with the cup removed or drain valve open as the flux will make it go crazy for a while.

 

[Lavey29]

Raise your magnesium to over 1500.

 

[Susan Edwards]

mg

Raise your magnesium to over 1500.

mg is at 1549 per trident

where should I add the reef flux. Return chamber, or the chamber where the water flow in. That means it will go thru the filter socks. With skimmer off, that's not really high flow right now.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Okay, it's in. Let the waiting begin...

 

[fdevans]

2 months later now... How did this go?

 

[SPS2020]

Beefed up CUC, added an ATS ( @Turbo's Aquatics ), manual pulling and direct application of %13 hydrogen peroxide did the trick for me recently.

 

[Susan Edwards]

2 months later now... How did this go?

It cleared my algae. Ended up with cyano so a round of chemi clean. Tank looks good. Went away for a week so need to get po4 down as it is at .2! No3 only 3. There are some small bits of algae in there so will stay on top of this. Adding some rowaphos today with the phosguard. Also starting some 3 gal a day awc. Also need to rake the sandbed and check out the sump for cleaning (have a vacuum I use and just send water into filter sock or mesh bag.)

 

[Susan Edwards]

It did take almost 2 months for the reef flux and adding in another half dose toward end

 

[mikebusc]

It did take almost 2 months for the reef flux and adding in another half dose toward end

I apologize because I know this is an old post but I was wondering how long you left your skimmer off? If you remember. The 72 hours recommended, I believe from the package, or the entire time until it cleared your tank? Thanks