HELP!!! Still have algae problem

• Dec 4, 2008

• #1

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

I had my new lights 6x39 T5 hvo for 2 months and still have algae problems!

I do 40 to 50% water changes and it comes back in a couple of hrs.

Perimeters:
Sal 1.025
PH 8.2
Amm 0
Trite 0
trate 0
cal 340
AK 8
Phos 0
temp 8.2
even tested for phos from tap-trace amont

Its a slimy green algae (pics)

What can I do?

 

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• Dec 4, 2008

• #2

Oscarsdad608

Reef enthusiast

There are phosphates in your water. Are you using RO/DI water or tap water?

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #3

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

using tap water(me bad) but run it thru a filter system

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #4

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dustin_P74

Reef enthusiast

what do you mean by filter system

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #5

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

under sink 2 stage filter, never had a problem with algae until I got the lights.

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #6

D

dustin_P74

Reef enthusiast

what does your cleaner crew consist of

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #7

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

I have an octupus Protein skimmer HOB BH100 on its way.

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #8

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

about 10 snails, 2 shrimp, blenny

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #9

D

dustin_P74

Reef enthusiast

on a 46 gallon tank you need more then that. those lights are fueling more algae growth and your cleaner crew cant keep up

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #10

P

ponydesigns

Reefing newb

what do you suggest?

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #11

D

dustin_P74

Reef enthusiast

i would add ten more snails and go from there

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #12

yote

In Memoriam

It'll also help to run some phos-ban or rowa-phos to remove the phosphates.

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #13

Altohombre

The Tennis Pro Reefer

I have a 46 and I my 20+ snails and 15 hermits can't keep up with the algae. You shouldn't be doing 40-50% water changes, that can shock your system. Do you have a mag-float to scrape the algae off?

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #14

Rcpilot

Reef enthusiast

Rule of thumb is 1 snail per gallon and 1 hermit per 2 gallons.

I'd go with about 40 snails and 20 hermits. Snails and hermits ar5e expendable. They kill each other. They die of natural causes. They fall off rocks and end up stuck someplace--then they die. Hermits attack snails and kill them for the shell. Snails have sensitive internal biology and must be acclimated over about 3-5hrs.

Get an RO/DI unit. Stop using tap water. Run some phosban. Run some carbon.

Do you have a sump? Do you have any macroalgae? Macroalgae eats phosphates. If the macroalgae can eat the phosphates, then the slime algae can't grow. No food.

 

• Dec 4, 2008

• #15

simpleman

Reefing newb

How long do you keep the lights on?

 

• Dec 5, 2008

• #16

wontonflip

I failed Kobayashi Maru

Yeah I had an algae problem in my tank when I first got it up and running...but it's gotten a lot better since implementing a fuge in the sump.