Trying to save my tank :(

[Eienna]

I agree that it sounds like dinoflagellates. I'd personally do the blackout, though the other things like checking your RODI and changing the bulbs, etc is still likely a good idea.

 

[LovingSaltwaterLife]

Well, first to start out you would want to very slowly (like over the course of several days) add a little bit of alkalinity booster, such as Seachem reef buffer (not reef builder, but reef buffer) diluted in top off water. Then once you get the alk/pH back in range, you could potentially use kalkwasser. You would probably want to test your calcium too though, as if you don't really need calcium, then you could just use seachem reef builder (notice this is different than what I said before as reef builder is for maintenance of alk, not raising).

Whatever you do, go very slowly and I'd say even go half of what the instructions say to account for the smaller thank. Test alkalinity/pH a few minutes after you add anything and have a couple gallons of new saltwater ready for an emergency water change in case anything goes wrong.

Makes perfect sense.

 

[LovingSaltwaterLife]

Algae is caused by the following:
1. Overstocking/Overfeeding - more nutrients are coming into the tank than are being broken down
2. Poor circulation which allows nutrients to deposit in dead spots. AIO cube tanks are notorious for algae growth on the sand bed/rock due to the stock circulation being weak.
3. Bulbs can contribute, but the bulbs would be irrelevant if the first two issues were addressed.

Here's what I would do:
1. How often are you doing water changes? Perhaps increase the frequency. You need to export more nutrients, but you also have to make sure the new water you use isn't introducing nutrients, which goes into...
2. Have the water you are using for top off and water changes tested to ensure it is not full of nitrates and phosphates
3. Feed flake food sparingly as in excess it is essentially food for the algae, make sure you are not going too crazy on the frozen either
4. Make sure there is good circulation in the bottom region of the tank. Not so much that you make a sand storm, but enough to prevent debris from settling on the sand. Maybe add a small powerhead to the lower region of the tank if needed.
5. Change the light bulbs

Thanks for the info!! I have thought about adding a powerhead to the tank before so now it's on my purchase list as well. This is all great information!

 

[NeverlosT]

A lot of that is great advice. Do buffer your alk up slowly. That will also get your pH up a bit.

Good luck!

 

[Daytonareefing]

Everyone has good points. One of the cheapest things to try is Seachem Phosguard put it in a media bag in your filter area. If it is the water you got from the fish store this will help. The more water changes you do the worse it will get. I use to get water from the culligan water machine from a local grocery store. Trying a different water source and phosguard is cheaper than changing lights. Good luck on it I been though the same problems many times myself over the past 17 years so I really wish you luck with it.