Skimmer performance issues and hair algae

AqCons · 01/12/2006, 11:35 PM

180 gallon reef,, with hair algae issues. 1 year old. Have refugium. Mostly softies and LPS. Fish: Regal, Kole, Coral Beauty, 2 Lawnmower Blennies, 3 PJ Cardinals, 4 Green Chromis, Yellow Head Jaw, Watchman Goby, 2 Firefish/Dartfish.

I had a Turbofloter on and it wasn't pulling much of anything out. Pump was cleaned out. It is working fine because I put it on some live rock I'm curing for a friend and it is pulling stuff out. So I put on a Red Sea Berlin Turbo. This isn't pulling anything out either but it was when I had it on the live rock tank. I know with the amount of fish I have that it should be pulling something out. Right? But why isn't it? This hair algae is driving me nuts and it keeps getting worse. I only feed 1 cube of Formula 1 and 1 cube of Formula 2 Mon., Wed., Fri. 2 175 Watt 10K (14K) Blueline MH and 2 VHO Actinics. MH are on for 8 hours a day. Bulbs are only 1 month old. I don't know if the hair algae is partly from the skimmer not pulling anything out or what.

Should I invest in a better skimmer? If I did would it pull anything out?

Help. Thanks!

Blown 346 · 01/12/2006, 11:41 PM

While, the newlighting can have a cause for the hair algae. I just upgraded to halides ( 2 250 watt ) and I have some hair algae but it is in my fuge, not my tank. I also have the same feeding regimen.
I just pull out what I can get and it has subsided alot.
How many gallons can the skimmer handle?
I suggest a skimmer rated for twice the size of the tank it will go on. I have a 90 gallon and have a skimmer rated for 200 gallons and I always have skimmate.

AqCons · 01/12/2006, 11:47 PM

They are both rated for 250 gallons.

Do you think my fish load is too much for the tank?

I also have lots of crabs, snails, emerald crabs, etc.

I had the hair algae issued before switching bulbs. I have always had 175 watt bulbs but replaced them about a month ago.

I had a third 175 watt bulb that I took out a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if I did the right thing or not. The tank has a glass brace and I have heard that the glass brace filters out the "good" light. I have a very large leather toadstool under that glass brace. So far he hasn't shown any negative signs since taking out that 3rd bulb. But I'm just not sure if it was the right choice.

As far as the skimmer goes, I will look for a new one. I would like a Deltec but they require an inline pump and the refugium isn't plumbed on that end for one.

spankerbob · 01/12/2006, 11:50 PM

I would cut the MH time down to five hours or less a day, that turbofloater should do the job well enough, my kent is practically the same unit with the same pump and it pulls stuff.
First are you using Ro water for top offs and with the salt mix?

What kind of light on fuge and how many hours a day?

Does your fuge have macro algea? What kind?

How much flow in the main display do you have?

Is there alot of surface agitation in display?

With how little you are feeding your fish and corals, your skimmer will have very little to pull out. It is in compettion with the other things in your tank for those solid waste protiens, so you will see very little performance from it.

AqCons · 01/12/2006, 11:58 PM

Fuge has 2 18W PC lights on 24/7

Fuge has caulerpa, (grape, feather, etc.)

I know I don't have enough circulation. I only have a Mag 12 on it. However, I have a Blue Line HD 70 (I think) to put on. Just have to find some time to do it. Also have 2 3/4" Sea Swirls to put on (if they'll fit). I'll probably have to turn the BlueLine down some.

Not a alot of surface agitation. REturns are pointed towards the sand because when they were pointed otherwise, the sand stayed brown with algae.

I'll turn lights down more.

I do use RO/DI for everything concerning the tank.

I do have ALK issues right now. It is low and having trouble increasing it. Using Kent ProBuffer DKH and it's not increasing it very much. I've been using it every other day for a month. I know I"m supposed to use it daily but the tank is at work and I'm there Mon, Wed, Fri and nobody else will touch the tank.

pitt_prodigy · 01/13/2006, 12:06 AM

Hair algae is partly due to your lighting and partly to the nutrient load in your tank. Would a better skimmer help? Yes... especially if the one you have isnt pulling out anything.

But before i would run out to the LFS with cash in hand, i would try these first.

1. Physically remove as much of the hair algae as you can. Just pull it out or scrub it off the rock. Best to do this outside the tank if possible due to the fact that the little fragments given off could start new colonies if they attach.

2. Cut lighting back for a little while. May to 6hrs.

3. Get a better cleaning crew. Mexican turbo snails and the like will eat certain types of hair algae.

Good luck. This is what worked for me in conjunction with purchasing a better skimmer.

HippieSmell · 01/13/2006, 01:43 AM

Here's what I would do:
1) Leave the photoperiod the way it is. Those nutrients need to be processed, and algae are helping you do that.
2) Get more snails to eat the algae.
3) Add more flow.
4) Fix your skimmer, or buy another one to get all the nutrients out.

You could take all the rock out and scrub it, but it won't solve the underlying problem. Snails will control the algae from top-down, flow will keep nutrients in suspension, and a better functioning skimmer will remove the nutrients. HTH

AqCons · 01/13/2006, 05:44 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I certainly appreciate it. I will look into a new skimmer this weekend. I was thinking of a Deltec but I'm not sure yet.

Thanks again!

chadfarmer · 01/13/2006, 05:51 PM

both those skimmer are way overrated

AqCons · 01/13/2006, 05:56 PM

What skimmer would you recommend? I can't place it in the sump but I can hang it on the side/end of the sump.

chadfarmer · 01/13/2006, 07:52 PM

deltec mce 600

most people cant afford it

than would be

coralife ss (but some people have had problem with them)

thats about it for that big of tank

also how old are the metal halide bulbs and what is your phosphates

bergzy · 01/13/2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AqCons
Fuge has 2 18W PC lights on 24/7

Fuge has caulerpa, (grape, feather, etc.)

I know I don't have enough circulation. I only have a Mag 12 on it. However, I have a Blue Line HD 70 (I think) to put on. Just have to find some time to do it. Also have 2 3/4" Sea Swirls to put on (if they'll fit). I'll probably have to turn the BlueLine down some.

Not a alot of surface agitation. REturns are pointed towards the sand because when they were pointed otherwise, the sand stayed brown with algae.

I'll turn lights down more.

I do use RO/DI for everything concerning the tank.

I do have ALK issues right now. It is low and having trouble increasing it. Using Kent ProBuffer DKH and it's not increasing it very much. I've been using it every other day for a month. I know I"m supposed to use it daily but the tank is at work and I'm there Mon, Wed, Fri and nobody else will touch the tank.

you basically answered a lot of your own questions:

- increase your circulation
- blow detritus off your rocks with a baster or powerhead
-get more random flow with a closed loop or powerheads
- AND esp - get your alk to about 10 (slowly) and your pH to about 8.5 to 8.6 SLOWLY!!! i recommend a calibrated pH meter for this. low alk and low pH will encourage hair to grow. oh, and check your salinity, preferably with a refractometer, and make sure it is 1.025. i observationaly (is that a word?) found that high salinity encourages unwanted algae growth as well.

i like seachem reef buffer for raising alk.

hth's...

AqCons · 01/13/2006, 08:50 PM

bergzy, thanks for the advice. I have had trouble raising the alk. I'll try the seachem. I think I actually have some of that. I have a Milwaukee PH Meter. I need to calibrate it though. And I have a refractometer.

Thanks! I'll get to work on it right away. I appreciate your help.

01/12/2006, 11:35 PM	#1
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	Skimmer performance issues and hair algae 180 gallon reef,, with hair algae issues. 1 year old. Have refugium. Mostly softies and LPS. Fish: Regal, Kole, Coral Beauty, 2 Lawnmower Blennies, 3 PJ Cardinals, 4 Green Chromis, Yellow Head Jaw, Watchman Goby, 2 Firefish/Dartfish. I had a Turbofloter on and it wasn't pulling much of anything out. Pump was cleaned out. It is working fine because I put it on some live rock I'm curing for a friend and it is pulling stuff out. So I put on a Red Sea Berlin Turbo. This isn't pulling anything out either but it was when I had it on the live rock tank. I know with the amount of fish I have that it should be pulling something out. Right? But why isn't it? This hair algae is driving me nuts and it keeps getting worse. I only feed 1 cube of Formula 1 and 1 cube of Formula 2 Mon., Wed., Fri. 2 175 Watt 10K (14K) Blueline MH and 2 VHO Actinics. MH are on for 8 hours a day. Bulbs are only 1 month old. I don't know if the hair algae is partly from the skimmer not pulling anything out or what. Should I invest in a better skimmer? If I did would it pull anything out? Help. Thanks!

01/12/2006, 11:50 PM	#4
spankerbob Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Ca. Posts: 134	I would cut the MH time down to five hours or less a day, that turbofloater should do the job well enough, my kent is practically the same unit with the same pump and it pulls stuff. First are you using Ro water for top offs and with the salt mix? What kind of light on fuge and how many hours a day? Does your fuge have macro algea? What kind? How much flow in the main display do you have? Is there alot of surface agitation in display? With how little you are feeding your fish and corals, your skimmer will have very little to pull out. It is in compettion with the other things in your tank for those solid waste protiens, so you will see very little performance from it. __________________ My wife said I needed to find a hobby, so I started reef keeping, she then said she didn't mean for me to spend $10k on a bunch of pretty rocks. OOPS Current Tank Info: 100g reef, w 38g sump, 3*250w mh, 150# lr, 280#ls, ASM G3 skimmer with mods, 55g BB fowlr, 29g sump, 10 fuge, 70# lr, kent nautilus w/oceanrunner 2700

01/13/2006, 12:06 AM	#6
pitt_prodigy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 751	Hair algae is partly due to your lighting and partly to the nutrient load in your tank. Would a better skimmer help? Yes... especially if the one you have isnt pulling out anything. But before i would run out to the LFS with cash in hand, i would try these first. 1. Physically remove as much of the hair algae as you can. Just pull it out or scrub it off the rock. Best to do this outside the tank if possible due to the fact that the little fragments given off could start new colonies if they attach. 2. Cut lighting back for a little while. May to 6hrs. 3. Get a better cleaning crew. Mexican turbo snails and the like will eat certain types of hair algae. Good luck. This is what worked for me in conjunction with purchasing a better skimmer. __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 72 gallon RR Oceanic, heavily modded ASM G2 skimmer, 30g sump/refugium, AI vega lighting x 2, apex controller, Phos Reactor, etc.

01/13/2006, 01:43 AM	#7
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Here's what I would do: 1) Leave the photoperiod the way it is. Those nutrients need to be processed, and algae are helping you do that. 2) Get more snails to eat the algae. 3) Add more flow. 4) Fix your skimmer, or buy another one to get all the nutrients out. You could take all the rock out and scrub it, but it won't solve the underlying problem. Snails will control the algae from top-down, flow will keep nutrients in suspension, and a better functioning skimmer will remove the nutrients. HTH __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

01/13/2006, 05:51 PM	#9
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	both those skimmer are way overrated __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

01/12/2006, 11:41 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	While, the newlighting can have a cause for the hair algae. I just upgraded to halides ( 2 250 watt ) and I have some hair algae but it is in my fuge, not my tank. I also have the same feeding regimen. I just pull out what I can get and it has subsided alot. How many gallons can the skimmer handle? I suggest a skimmer rated for twice the size of the tank it will go on. I have a 90 gallon and have a skimmer rated for 200 gallons and I always have skimmate.

01/12/2006, 11:47 PM	#3
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	They are both rated for 250 gallons. Do you think my fish load is too much for the tank? I also have lots of crabs, snails, emerald crabs, etc. I had the hair algae issued before switching bulbs. I have always had 175 watt bulbs but replaced them about a month ago. I had a third 175 watt bulb that I took out a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if I did the right thing or not. The tank has a glass brace and I have heard that the glass brace filters out the "good" light. I have a very large leather toadstool under that glass brace. So far he hasn't shown any negative signs since taking out that 3rd bulb. But I'm just not sure if it was the right choice. As far as the skimmer goes, I will look for a new one. I would like a Deltec but they require an inline pump and the refugium isn't plumbed on that end for one.

01/12/2006, 11:58 PM	#5
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	Fuge has 2 18W PC lights on 24/7 Fuge has caulerpa, (grape, feather, etc.) I know I don't have enough circulation. I only have a Mag 12 on it. However, I have a Blue Line HD 70 (I think) to put on. Just have to find some time to do it. Also have 2 3/4" Sea Swirls to put on (if they'll fit). I'll probably have to turn the BlueLine down some. Not a alot of surface agitation. REturns are pointed towards the sand because when they were pointed otherwise, the sand stayed brown with algae. I'll turn lights down more. I do use RO/DI for everything concerning the tank. I do have ALK issues right now. It is low and having trouble increasing it. Using Kent ProBuffer DKH and it's not increasing it very much. I've been using it every other day for a month. I know I"m supposed to use it daily but the tank is at work and I'm there Mon, Wed, Fri and nobody else will touch the tank.

01/13/2006, 05:44 PM	#8
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	Thanks for all the replies. I certainly appreciate it. I will look into a new skimmer this weekend. I was thinking of a Deltec but I'm not sure yet. Thanks again!

01/13/2006, 05:56 PM	#10
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	What skimmer would you recommend? I can't place it in the sump but I can hang it on the side/end of the sump.

01/13/2006, 07:52 PM	#11
chadfarmer Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ST Charles, MO far from nanook Posts: 11,045 Blog Entries: 1	deltec mce 600 most people cant afford it than would be coralife ss (but some people have had problem with them) thats about it for that big of tank also how old are the metal halide bulbs and what is your phosphates __________________ If you think you know the answer than ask 3 more people the question Current Tank Info: 200 Gal RR,ATB medium, 4 AI blue sol,230 LBS LIVE ROCK, no sand , 40 GAL sump, airstar1800, 3 tunze 6105 1- 6205 1-6305, Geo 818, profilux3ex with toys

01/13/2006, 08:50 PM	#13
AqCons Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 192	bergzy, thanks for the advice. I have had trouble raising the alk. I'll try the seachem. I think I actually have some of that. I have a Milwaukee PH Meter. I need to calibrate it though. And I have a refractometer. Thanks! I'll get to work on it right away. I appreciate your help.