too much algea!!! what's up

corals123 · 02/14/2008, 10:34 AM

a problem that has cursed my tank from the beginning. It sounds crazy but my levels are great, i don't overfeed, and until a couple weeks ago i had no fish only soft corals. at the advice of a local shop i removed my aquaclear 70 and replaced it with a skimmer. the filter did have lots of junk in it and i could see that raising my levels, but again from the beginning the levels have been great. they said the algea could be throwing off my readings because all the 'trites and 'trates are in the algea. now the problem is not worse it's just the same and i have cyano. what's up????????? should i throw the filter back on with new filter media? give me a couple days and i'll have pics.

Davidl919 · 02/14/2008, 10:53 AM

I'm in the same boat with cyano...
My problem was caused by ordering the wrong filters for my Rodi.
My Rodi is now fixed but I still have to help the tank with removal.
I siphon out as much as possible and replace the phosphate removal media every 2 weeks and removed 2 hours from light cycle along the line I have read conflicting answers about adding more flow for now I have not changed the flow but will probably try it. It is said that adding more flow will just make the cyano grow in an area with less flow but if the flow is cycled I think it won't have the time to grow if your not missing any places also raising the skimmer to have a more liquid extraction it said to work.

corals123 · 02/14/2008, 10:59 AM

i am also curious, my lfs said that the scarlet hermits are not reef safe only the blue ones...forgat the name.. but when i look at algea attackers at say drsfostersmith they say the scarlets are great . do you know? and with the flow..i have a maxi jet 1200 and i also had a 900 in there but my tank looked like a substrate tornado and my soft corals were upset so i guess i haven't found the right amount of flow. maybe two or three low level jets. yo are right i need to change to a wet skim.

currentking · 02/14/2008, 11:13 AM

are you only getting the cyano on the sand? How is your flow. I have the cyano problem but only really on the sand and my tank has only been up for 6 weeks. all my perameters are perfect except my PH. I raised my PH from 7.9 to 8.2 and the cyano has pretty much cleared up. Any that I have my sand sifting stars take care of.

taillonjohn · 02/14/2008, 11:16 AM

yes, algae will suck up nitrates so you cant read them on the test. how long is your lighting period? maybe try cutting it in half for a few days. do you have powerheads in the tank? algae dont like too much flow. do you run carbon? you can use the aquaclear filter for that. throw in a bag of carbon, nothing else, no other filter media. does your tank get direct sunlight? that promotes algae growth too. do you have a sump? if yes, you could throw some chaeto in there, so it will compete with the pest algae for the nutrients in the tank, hopefully beat out the pest algae. these are just idea's that most people try first

dileggi · 02/14/2008, 11:58 AM

What type of water are you using in the tank?

It could be a number of things, but normally algae and cyano are usually both caused by nitrates and phosphates. Both, unfortunately are also quite normal in new tanks and the cycle usually goes away in a few weeks (cyano).

When you say algae...what type? Hair, bubble, film, diatoms, etc? This might help some.

A good trick for the cyano, besides siphoning out and using a turkey baster, which is great to use....you could kill your lights for 3 days. On day 4, run actinic's only. On day 5, back to regular lighting. People have claimed this a good way to reduce the cyano.

tpenn187 · 02/14/2008, 12:08 PM

i have done the lighting trick to kill the cyano. although it will come back if you don't fix the underlying issues, nitrates and phosphates. the skimmer is most likely going to help with the nitrates. my question is what kind did the lfs recommend for you to use. also flow is a big deal for cyano, add more and it will slowly help it go away. if you run a refugium with macro algae this will pull the nitrates and phosphates that is feeding your nuisance algae. once i added macro algae in my sump and started running 24 hr lighting it mad a huge difference and i still don't have any algae.

02/14/2008, 10:34 AM	#1
corals123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 26	too much algea!!! what's up a problem that has cursed my tank from the beginning. It sounds crazy but my levels are great, i don't overfeed, and until a couple weeks ago i had no fish only soft corals. at the advice of a local shop i removed my aquaclear 70 and replaced it with a skimmer. the filter did have lots of junk in it and i could see that raising my levels, but again from the beginning the levels have been great. they said the algea could be throwing off my readings because all the 'trites and 'trates are in the algea. now the problem is not worse it's just the same and i have cyano. what's up????????? should i throw the filter back on with new filter media? give me a couple days and i'll have pics.

02/14/2008, 11:16 AM	#5
taillonjohn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 753	yes, algae will suck up nitrates so you cant read them on the test. how long is your lighting period? maybe try cutting it in half for a few days. do you have powerheads in the tank? algae dont like too much flow. do you run carbon? you can use the aquaclear filter for that. throw in a bag of carbon, nothing else, no other filter media. does your tank get direct sunlight? that promotes algae growth too. do you have a sump? if yes, you could throw some chaeto in there, so it will compete with the pest algae for the nutrients in the tank, hopefully beat out the pest algae. these are just idea's that most people try first __________________ John

02/14/2008, 11:58 AM	#6
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	What type of water are you using in the tank? It could be a number of things, but normally algae and cyano are usually both caused by nitrates and phosphates. Both, unfortunately are also quite normal in new tanks and the cycle usually goes away in a few weeks (cyano). When you say algae...what type? Hair, bubble, film, diatoms, etc? This might help some. A good trick for the cyano, besides siphoning out and using a turkey baster, which is great to use....you could kill your lights for 3 days. On day 4, run actinic's only. On day 5, back to regular lighting. People have claimed this a good way to reduce the cyano. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/14/2008, 10:53 AM	#2
Davidl919 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 60	I'm in the same boat with cyano... My problem was caused by ordering the wrong filters for my Rodi. My Rodi is now fixed but I still have to help the tank with removal. I siphon out as much as possible and replace the phosphate removal media every 2 weeks and removed 2 hours from light cycle along the line I have read conflicting answers about adding more flow for now I have not changed the flow but will probably try it. It is said that adding more flow will just make the cyano grow in an area with less flow but if the flow is cycled I think it won't have the time to grow if your not missing any places also raising the skimmer to have a more liquid extraction it said to work.

02/14/2008, 10:59 AM	#3
corals123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kentucky Posts: 26	i am also curious, my lfs said that the scarlet hermits are not reef safe only the blue ones...forgat the name.. but when i look at algea attackers at say drsfostersmith they say the scarlets are great . do you know? and with the flow..i have a maxi jet 1200 and i also had a 900 in there but my tank looked like a substrate tornado and my soft corals were upset so i guess i haven't found the right amount of flow. maybe two or three low level jets. yo are right i need to change to a wet skim.

02/14/2008, 11:13 AM	#4
currentking Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Palm Bay Florida Posts: 868	are you only getting the cyano on the sand? How is your flow. I have the cyano problem but only really on the sand and my tank has only been up for 6 weeks. all my perameters are perfect except my PH. I raised my PH from 7.9 to 8.2 and the cyano has pretty much cleared up. Any that I have my sand sifting stars take care of.

02/14/2008, 12:08 PM	#7
tpenn187 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: central illinois Posts: 630	i have done the lighting trick to kill the cyano. although it will come back if you don't fix the underlying issues, nitrates and phosphates. the skimmer is most likely going to help with the nitrates. my question is what kind did the lfs recommend for you to use. also flow is a big deal for cyano, add more and it will slowly help it go away. if you run a refugium with macro algae this will pull the nitrates and phosphates that is feeding your nuisance algae. once i added macro algae in my sump and started running 24 hr lighting it mad a huge difference and i still don't have any algae.