Algae problem
- Thread starter Mandarin66
- Start date
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
Any home depot ones?
fastrd400
It wasn't me!
Not real sure. Did you read the threads I posted for you? I know Brian said that BRS sells a kit. I also know that Ambersunrise built one. Try asking her where she got her material.
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
K gonna research some more
Northstar24
The Tang Herder
Change your bulbs, and step up your water changes. If the algae seems to grow in particular spots in the tank, increase the flow to those parts of the tank.
Many foods are high in phosphates, what are you feeding and how often?
Many foods are high in phosphates, what are you feeding and how often?
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
I know im changing it soon and i do water change weekly, it grows all over the tank , i feed mysis shrimp the cube type , i feed twice a week tuesday and thursday
OhNoNemo
i love triggers
Have you looked into building an algae scrubber .....??
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
I know i dont like one without a screen for my tank i dont like the hood model no more
fastrd400
It wasn't me!
Quit feeding the Mysis. Start looking into other forms of frozen foods like Emeald Entree.
fastrd400
It wasn't me!
Also, you are already running a protein skimmer, so no need to run a scrubber. You need to find, and fix the source of your algea (which I'm betting are your old bulbs, and Mysis).
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
So i feed to much now?
fastrd400
It wasn't me!
No, I wouldn't say you feed too much, just the wrong foods. Mysis is packed with phosphates. So what I am saying is choose a different food like emerald entree or Rods Food.
Northstar24
The Tang Herder
Start with the bulbs. From what I've read in this post I (like Fast) suspect that is your issue. Once those have been changed report back and let us know.
And Mysis once in a while is not bad, but I would vary up the diet a little bit, something like Emerald Entree or Formula I or II
And Mysis once in a while is not bad, but I would vary up the diet a little bit, something like Emerald Entree or Formula I or II
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
i thought oil was bad ? Emerald Entree has oil in it
fastrd400
It wasn't me!
No, it is fine. My tank gets 2 cubes every third day.
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
K just wondering :)
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
AmberSunrise
Reef enthusiast
If you have a HOB filter I would say try getting some phosguard balls and put them in a filter sack and stick it in the filter. It will help suck out extra phosphates which is what the algae feeds on.
Mandarin66
Oh Hi
The only HOB thing is the skimmer lol should i put it in there?
Northstar24
The Tang Herder
The photos look like Cyano. It was suggested several times by Fast and myself that you replace the bulbs in your lighting fixture.
It seems you were wandering away from the suggestions offered by Fast, Algae outbreaks really come down to a nutrient issue, you have too much of something that is allowing the algae to grow. There are several things that can cause this including:
1) Old Bulbs - as they age, they shift light output into the red spectrum which fuels nuisance algae growth
2)Nitrates / Phosphates - These will usually be the limiting nutrient in most fish tanks. If phosphates are high, it fuels algae growth. High Nitrates can also cause algae growth but high nitrates are usually limited by relatively low phosphates. If you're feed frozen food such as mysis, is it being rinsed before being added to your tank?
3)Low flow or dead spots - Many types of algae do not grow in areas with adequate flow. If there are areas in the tank where you're noticing algae growth try placing some additional powerheads in the tank to increase flow
From reading the thread, it really sounds like your bulbs are old and need to be replaced. Don't worry about screens for the tank (which wont do anything for algae) or algae scrubbers (since you have a protein skimmer)
Start by changing your bulbs and giving things a few days and report back.
And no, you cant run phosphate removal media in your protein skimmer, you need a reactor, HOB filter, canister filter, reactor, or sump to run that type of media.
I honestly would not worry about the media if the bulbs have not been changed. I fought cyano for months in my tank going through everything except changing my bulbs. As soon as the bulbs were changed, the algae died off literally overnight
It seems you were wandering away from the suggestions offered by Fast, Algae outbreaks really come down to a nutrient issue, you have too much of something that is allowing the algae to grow. There are several things that can cause this including:
1) Old Bulbs - as they age, they shift light output into the red spectrum which fuels nuisance algae growth
2)Nitrates / Phosphates - These will usually be the limiting nutrient in most fish tanks. If phosphates are high, it fuels algae growth. High Nitrates can also cause algae growth but high nitrates are usually limited by relatively low phosphates. If you're feed frozen food such as mysis, is it being rinsed before being added to your tank?
3)Low flow or dead spots - Many types of algae do not grow in areas with adequate flow. If there are areas in the tank where you're noticing algae growth try placing some additional powerheads in the tank to increase flow
From reading the thread, it really sounds like your bulbs are old and need to be replaced. Don't worry about screens for the tank (which wont do anything for algae) or algae scrubbers (since you have a protein skimmer)
Start by changing your bulbs and giving things a few days and report back.
And no, you cant run phosphate removal media in your protein skimmer, you need a reactor, HOB filter, canister filter, reactor, or sump to run that type of media.
I honestly would not worry about the media if the bulbs have not been changed. I fought cyano for months in my tank going through everything except changing my bulbs. As soon as the bulbs were changed, the algae died off literally overnight
