Algae

[pulpfiction1]

We figured out the cause for my algae issues, I am using the rock from my 90 gal and at the time I was not using ro water (tap water and no prime)so the rock was/is full of phosphates and now it is leaching out so, I anticipate that I am going to have an phosphate/algae issue for a bit..my other readings are great.. now just a labour of love until its gone. I am going to continue with good husbandry, large water changes and the vodka, from the beginning to now is night and day. ..could that maybe something like what is happening to you.. used rock,substrate,etc????

im not sure what prime has to do with algae,but you have the right idea,and i would still use gfo,even if only in a mesh sock in the sump

 

[heath]

oh I plan to, at least I know where the phosphates/algae came from.. it was driving me nuts, remember I asked you about it..

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Yeah its all re used rock and new dry rock, but from what i know its never had tap used on it. It did have just ro used but ive been using rodi for a long time now. The hair algae really exploded after going from a hugh nutrient tank to a clean tank. I had 25ppm n93 and 0.06 p04 at all times. When i switched it dropped right off to 2ppm n03 and 0.00 p04.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

I don't feed at all and three days should be fine for your sticks.
Tape garbage bags to the tank. When I say lights out. I mean ZERO light for the three days.
If you're concerned about the corals. Have a peak at them at day two. But you should be just fine with three days no lights or feedings.

Sony Xperia Z3

Ok so i removed what i could of the algae. Its a mixture of hair and bryopsis so its a little harder to pull off and scrub. Ive wrapped the outside of tank and garbage bags, now what do i do about light coming in the top of the tank?
Am I going to have to watch anything, like my PH?

 

[EricTMah]

I would try and coverage top of the tank as well. You're running as sump. So no worries about gas exchange.

I normally don't monitor Ph. But if you're really worried. Use a small air pump and air stone in your sump for more gas exchange. Less co2 build up will give you more stable.Ph.

But honestly in all the tanks I've done this with. Ivenever once monitored anything. Just have a peak at your corals in two days to make sure all is still good.

Good luck


Sony Xperia Z3

 

[bluewater]

Lights out has worked well in the past. Can't say it did it alone... always used multi pronged attack - massive water changes, physical removal (sea hare/urchins) plus macro refugium.

good luck

 

[Kevin Tran]

Following ! I have the same goodies, but not as much

 

[Jewel]

I feel for you, HA is the worst, Battling it can test your patience for sure, You can manually remove til the cows come home but you've got to address the Phosphate issue or it'll return as fast as it came. I'd remove all the rock and treat it out side of the tank, in bins if possible, no lights, It's a big job, This is one reason of many why people pack it in and start with new rock, I'm not saying that's the way to go but I know people that have.

And D, An ATS is a great idea, A tad bit late but still a good idea, I've run them in the past and they work well, I've used Phos Guard in the past as well and it works great, only thing it should be used with Live Rock only no Corals, So put the rock in bins and run it but test often. It is not a long term application, once the PO4 is gone run GFO 24/7

Phos guard By Seachem, I say not a long term application because this is one product that is a bit subject, It may introduce Aluminum into your system, I used it when I started my previous set-up, I knew the rock had PO4 in it and I treated it with Phos Guard sparingly, testing often with the Hanna Phospherous Checker until levels got to .0003. It worked great in about 2 months and I never had any Algea in my system afterwords. I'd use it again for sure. Riley? I gave you some but as I said the rock should be removed from the tank and treated in bins.

I can see you saying NO way man. But that's my cure.

 

[EricTMah]

How are things looking Riley?


Sony Xperia Z3

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Havent looked yet. Im scurred lol. Ill prolly take a peek and see how everythings looking today.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

How are things looking Riley?


Sony Xperia Z3

So i just took a look and all corals seem fine, algae is still visible, except the worst rock seems to be alot better looking. I wanna open it alll up, but i should probably give it one.more day.

 

[EricTMah]

At least one more day. Maybe two

Sony Xperia Z3

 

[Skim]

Just curious, what food do you feed. Brand and type.

Skim

 

[reeferkeeper420]

PE Mysis, New Era flakes, New Era pellets, New Era Grazers, sheets of seaweed.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Just took a peak again this morn, and algae is still visible. Some pieces look like they might have grown during lights out.

 

[EricTMah]

How do your corals look?


Sony Xperia Z3

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Hard to.tell without lights, they seem fine So far..

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Just starting to worry if there will be any ill effects on my sticks with no lights for more than 3 days.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Will Tech M work for hair algae like its suppose to for bryopsis? Cause im currently raising my mag levels with tech m to kill the bryopsis.

 

[EricTMah]

I've never had tech m work on hair algae before.

I'd suggest you wait until tomorrow. Turn your actinic back on and give the tank a really good cleaning again. Remove as much of it as possible. Just remember if you're scrubbing in tank, make sure you run some carbon. After/during the cleaning, look at your sps and see how they're holding up. If still looking good. I'd do another day or even two lights out after this major cleaning. That should really choke out the algae.

Then when you're lights come back on. I'd do one last good removal of any algae that's left.

I've seen sps go as long as 7 days lights out with no issues. But have a good look at them when you perform your cleaning tomorrow. Also if you do another two days of lights out. You might want to cut your hours of light back when you go full on again. Don't want to burn those pretty little sticks.

Sony Xperia Z3