Rev’s SPS build

[LARedstickreefer]

So if the algea is taking up all of the nutrients then what is it feeding off of? Remove the excess nutrients and the algea will starve itself out. It really is that simple.

You need to start by manually pulling out as much as you can by hand and start doing water changes. I would do it every day. Even take a toothbrush and scrub it daily. The real question is how did your tank take on so many nutrients to begin with?

It’s not that simple. Algae also uses light and can survive with low nutrients. A good CC will probably take care of that stuff along with 0TDS water.

Edit: I’d research peroxide. It’ll kill algae on contact.

 

[Yrevanth]

It’s not that simple. Algae also uses light and can survive with low nutrients. A good CC will probably take care of that stuff along with 0TDS water.

Edit: I’d research peroxide. It’ll kill algae on contact.

but how do i add peroxide? Remove the rock and then douse it in peroxide?
what would happen to the corals?

Should i try and introduce a sea hare?

 

[LARedstickreefer]

but how do i add peroxide? Remove the rock and then douse it in peroxide?
what would happen to the corals?

Should i try and introduce a sea hare?

Yup. If you can take the rock out, it only takes about 60 seconds of direct contact to kill. Corals will be fine for 60 seconds.

Do this in stages, not all at once.

 

[siggy]

If it were me I would be curing new live rock to replace existing rock and get a good rodi system
keep your chin up your sps are growing not dying. best of luck

 

[ImNemo]

Yes, it really is that simple, Lol. Here is my tank setup next to a window for the past year. I also run a 12 hour photo period with 8 lights. Good luck.

Just use the vibrant and continue to remove daily by hand with regular water changes. No need to go to all this extreme.

I would also start by testing your RODI water. I have a tds meter on mine and anytime it reads above zero I change the di resin. You have nutrients coming from somewhere. Just need to figure out where.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

If it were me I would be curing new live rock to replace existing rock and get a good rodi system
keep your chin up your sps are growing not dying. best of luck

I took another look on a larger screen. That’s some thick looking stuff, huh?

Dang...This could become one of those Extreme Home Makeovers, Algae Edition.

Edit: There should be an honor badge for this. This has got to be the greenest, thickest, I’ve ever seen! It looks like it’s holding the frags in place!

Kidding aside - I’d look into an urchin, sea hare, chitons, etc. These are know for really healthy appetites. I’d probably take some peroxide to the areas around the corals, to give them some breathing room, and see if a A list CC can put a dent in it.

Make sure your water change water is 0TDS.

Once you start noticing a difference, keep up with water changes to deal with all of the freed up nutrients.

 

[madweazl]

Changing the light spectrum will have little effect. I've had many tanks up against windows and didn't have any issues either. I'm surprised the fox face hasn't decimated it; I feed mine caulerpa out of the refugium and it goes nuts (keeps the tank spotless). Snails that specifically target your algae would likely be your best bet at this point; it appears to be turf algae and turbo snails seem to be about the best bet for that.

I'd certainly get the water tested with a different kit just to double check what you have going on and eliminate excess nutrients as a cause.

 

[siggy]

This is a job for #reefsquad

 

[drawman]

If you don't mind pulling your rock every so often hydrogen peroxide applications will likely do wonders.

 

[Yrevanth]

Changing the light spectrum will have little effect. I've had many tanks up against windows and didn't have any issues either. I'm surprised the fox face hasn't decimated it; I feed mine caulerpa out of the refugium and it goes nuts (keeps the tank spotless). Snails that specifically target your algae would likely be your best bet at this point; it appears to be turf algae and turbo snails seem to be about the best bet for that.

I'd certainly get the water tested with a different kit just to double check what you have going on and eliminate excess nutrients as a cause.

I just replaced the rodi filter and resin. Any particular urchin or sea hare?

 

[siggy]

hydrogen peroxide applications will likely do wonder

What would be the typical procedure? I have never done it, full strength 50/50, soak/brush, pour?
I thing the misses used tap water to top off when you were out of town....just a guesss

 

[Yrevanth]

Yes, it really is that simple, Lol. Here is my tank setup next to a window for the past year. I also run a 12 hour photo period with 8 lights. Good luck.

Just use the vibrant and continue to remove daily by hand with regular water changes. No need to go to all this extreme.

I would also start by testing your RODI water. I have a tds meter on mine and anytime it reads above zero I change the di resin. You have nutrients coming from somewhere. Just need to figure out where.

Agreed. I have a brs 4 stage rodi. Just replaced filters today.

Will be using vibrant .. done with first dose

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Agreed. I have a brs 4 stage rodi. Just replaced filters today.

Will be using vibrant .. done with first dose

Use full strength 3% peroxide directly on the algae. Use a syringe so you don’t get it on your sps skin. Let the peroxide soak in and then place back in tank. You’ll see a lot of bubble action. Then next day, you’ll see white algae, which will disappear a few days later. Try not to exceed 1mL of peroxide per 1g of tank water, per day. Don’t know if it’s harmful, but that’s the max I’ve taken it to. I dose this in the morning and night to my tank without any issues.

 

[madweazl]

I just replaced the rodi filter and resin. Any particular urchin or sea hare?

I dont know anyone that has kept a sea hare for long.

 

[sfin52]

I have a dolabella sea hare that would love to visit your tank, ha.

I would just keep scrubbing and vacuuming it out along with the vibrant and water changes. Could take several weeks but is doable.

That is an awesome idea

 

[LARedstickreefer]

I dont know anyone that has kept a sea hare for long.

They haven’t seen this tank. This could mean generational wealth for the sea hare and its family. It’s the promised land.

 

[ImNemo]

I dont know anyone that has kept a sea hare for long.

I could use the algea from your tank, ha. Do not buy a sea hare. They require constant feeding with algea and seaweed and are for experienced aquarist only. I hand feed mine. Learn to control the nutrients in your tank first.

I've been in this hobby for over 25 years and some things you just learn the hard way. Like overfeeding and not doing regular weekly maintenance. Your tank didn't get like this in a day and their is no miracle that will fix it in a day. Slow and steady wins the race. I just hate to see people get discouraged or give up because of a simple algea outbreak.

 

[SeaDweller]

have some comfort knowing the acros you have growing in THOSE conditions are like gold, lol. Personally if I were you, I'd remove whatever acros I could and set up a temporary tank; as has been established- your nutrients are NOT zero. I'd revamp that tank and strip the water of all nutrients (void of acros); I'd try to remove as much of that algae manually as I could (should be simple seeing how your tank isn't super big). I'd be doing close to 50%+ water changes and running lanthanum chloride to really get those PO4 levels at zero or close to it then maintain lower levels with GFO; your rocks and substrate are going to leach alot of PO4, so I'd be keen on watching levels until I get consistently low levels, without the presence of much algae, or none at all. Looks like life got in the way and Murphy paid you a visit while gone.

 

[MrWheelock]

Delete was already mentioned.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

have some comfort knowing the acros you have growing in THOSE conditions are like gold, lol. Personally if I were you, I'd remove whatever acros I could and set up a temporary tank; as has been established- your nutrients are NOT zero. I'd revamp that tank and strip the water of all nutrients (void of acros); I'd try to remove as much of that algae manually as I could (should be simple seeing how your tank isn't super big). I'd be doing close to 50%+ water changes and running lanthanum chloride to really get those PO4 levels at zero or close to it then maintain lower levels with GFO; your rocks and substrate are going to leach alot of PO4, so I'd be keen on watching levels until I get consistently low levels, without the presence of much algae, or none at all. Looks like life got in the way and Murphy paid you a visit while gone.

Setting up a temporary tank might be more difficult than just taking this one slowly with a strong CUC and well placed peroxide, no? The Acros have adjusted to life in the forest, they may not like a sudden change.

Forget Murphy, this was Jody coming to town while he was away.