Algae - PHOTO - I desperately need Help...

mz3bo · 03/25/2008, 10:59 AM

Hi,

My algae problem is getting worst and worst days after days, weeks after week.

All of that desptite my weekly 20% water change, my 0.05 of Po4 and 0ppm of nitrate. All other parameter are within the recommended range.

I also tried to raise Magnesium to 1500ppm without being able to kill that algae.

tried some natural eater, but they don't eat enought or don't want to eat that algae at all.

Can you please advise that what are the next step.

I have been doing intensite control for over 2 months now, and tha algae keep growing !!!!

Thanks

seapug · 03/25/2008, 11:07 AM

The Magnesium trick works for Bryopsis. Phosban Reactor and GFO media are the best method for killing off the misc. types. I'll never run another tank without a reactor.

Logzor · 03/25/2008, 11:09 AM

sea hare!

Dan Thrash · 03/25/2008, 11:21 AM

check your your PO levels, try to reduce it if it is too high...turn off your lights for 3 days at a time maybe every week...get something that will eat it

BLKTANG · 03/25/2008, 11:26 AM

+1 on the sea hare.Maybe a lettuce nudi too.Thats gotta suck.

My first ever tank was like that a 10g like 7 years ago,& i ended up setting up another 10g,& cycling it with new rock,& threw that rock away.

mokeyz · 03/25/2008, 12:18 PM

Lawnmower blenny too...

mz3bo · 03/25/2008, 12:18 PM

Folks,

My PO4 (phosphate) is very low, 0.05 on elios test...

wetone · 03/25/2008, 12:29 PM

I would also suggest turning off lights for 3 days to see how that does..

also, what type of lighting? how old are bulbs?

mz3bo · 03/25/2008, 12:46 PM

Hi,

Lighting are MH 20 000k and are about 1.5 year old. 2x250W.

Bo

Arati · 03/25/2008, 12:50 PM

.05 is still high it should be .02 if you arent already using 1 buy a two little fishys reactor its like 35$. cut your feeding in 1/2. make shure you run the fuge lights 24/7. Once you see the phos drop down to .25 or so, cut off the tank lights for 3 days.

Also if you use any products like micro-vert -stop-

Not shure what phos test your are useing but all the cheap one mostly suck. If you dont own a good one take water to a good lfs, that uses a nice digital test.

Also the byropsis thread about raising mag, come down to a specific brands mag, you may wanna check you have the right mag suppliment.

Best of luck.

madcowz · 03/25/2008, 12:53 PM

Unless you are using a photometer there is no way of knowing your true po4 levels. All regent test kits I have found are awful at testing po4.

mz3bo · 03/25/2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arati
.05 is still high it should be .02 if you arent already using 1 buy a two little fishys reactor its like 35$. cut your feeding in 1/2. make shure you run the fuge lights 24/7. Once you see the phos drop down to .25 or so, cut off the tank lights for 3 days.

Also if you use any products like micro-vert -stop-

Not shure what phos test your are useing but all the cheap one mostly suck. If you dont own a good one take water to a good lfs, that uses a nice digital test.

Also the byropsis thread about raising mag, come down to a specific brands mag, you may wanna check you have the right mag suppliment.

Best of luck.

Arati,

What reactor and fuge light are you refering at ?

seapug · 03/25/2008, 01:25 PM

There are two different kinds of phosphate (organic and inorganic) that require different tests. Both can fuel hair algae.

Trust your eyes before you trust a test kit. A person with food all over their face has been eating. You don't need to see a plate of food in front of them and do exploratory surgery of their intestines to come to that conclusion. Phosphate can appear low because you have such lush algae growth. If it grows there is food for it, not because your tank is posessed with algae demons.

Get a PhosBan Reactor and GFO. Run it for two months and change the media after the first month. If you still have the algae, PM me and I'll buy the rig from you.

DazedandConfuse · 03/25/2008, 01:28 PM

What is a GFO?

DarthBaiter · 03/25/2008, 01:44 PM

Ramble on to the LFS and pick up a Phos reactor. Toe little fishes, Kent either will work Two little fish is easier to maintain tough. Pick up a maxi jet 600 or 900 depending on how much tubing you need and some Granular Ferric Oxide.
You can get it in bulk from bulk reef suply. Run half the recomended amount the first week and then move up towards the recomended amount in the next week ot two.

arts007 · 03/25/2008, 01:49 PM

Replace your bulbs as well since they are 18 months old. But with new bulbs means you will need to acclimate the corals to that new light as the bulbs will have a higher output

ernestlives · 03/25/2008, 02:00 PM

WOW.

sabbath · 03/25/2008, 02:39 PM

Are you using RO/DI water? How old is the DI?

I recomend a GFO in a reactor as well. Change it once a week for the first couple times. Then 2 weeks for a couple more times. Then see where you are at.

Is your skimmer working hard?

Arati · 03/25/2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mz3bo
Arati,

What reactor and fuge light are you refering at ?

The reactor we are all mentioning, a phosban reactor they are cheap and easy to use. two little fishys makes a simple cheap one.

I just assumed if you have a sump, like it says in your sig. That you had a light on it. Basically get any light you can, get a handfull of cheato (macro algea) put the Cheato in the sump and shine a light on it. as it grows it will use up nutrients in your water, then you just prune it. Dont kid yourself phos and nitrate are good buddys.

question. do you runa wet/dry sump with bioballs or some type of floss filter media?

DazedandConfuse · 03/25/2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarthBaiter
Granular Ferric Oxide.

Thanks, I have been wondering what that was!

DarthBaiter · 03/25/2008, 08:26 PM

Anything to help send the hair algae on it's way to the stairway to heaven.

Aquarist007 · 03/25/2008, 08:29 PM

check this thread out for further ideas:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1329802

and here is the link to the bryopsis thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1113109

JBuffetReefer · 03/25/2008, 09:10 PM

what fish do you have im your tank? I have a similar hair algae in one of my tanks. I placed the rock with the algae in tank with a powder blue tang and he loves it. hope that helps.

schigara · 03/25/2008, 10:56 PM

GFO, reactor, skimming, cheato lit 24/7, less feeding, no flake food, thaw and rinse frozen food, 0 TDS ro/di water.

All these combined will eventually get rid of the hair algae. Throw in some very large common Turbo Snails will get rid of it very quickly and the combination of everything else will keep it from coming back.

I hear people always saying that their Turbos won't eat the long Hair Algae and this is true but depends on the size of the Turbo.

I had a HA outbreak and 5 Zebra turbos, the largest about 1.5in in diameter would never touch the 1-3 in long hair algae. I was at my LFS explaining the situation and ended going home with 4 giant common Turbo Snails that range from 2-3in in diameter.

I dropped them in the sand and within 15 minutes they each found their way to the thickest and hairiest of the HA and 5 days later, the HA was and has been a memory.

My HA started due to overfeeding and a crapped out RO membrane and DI resin. Employing everything from the first paragraph and the Turbos totally eliminated my HA and also I very rarely have to prune the chaeto as it grows very slowy now with the GFO in use.

A Tang or two and a Lawnmower Blenny or whatever will not eliminate a bad case of HA.

03/25/2008, 10:59 AM	#1
mz3bo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7	Algae - PHOTO - I desperately need Help... Hi, My algae problem is getting worst and worst days after days, weeks after week. All of that desptite my weekly 20% water change, my 0.05 of Po4 and 0ppm of nitrate. All other parameter are within the recommended range. I also tried to raise Magnesium to 1500ppm without being able to kill that algae. tried some natural eater, but they don't eat enought or don't want to eat that algae at all. Can you please advise that what are the next step. I have been doing intensite control for over 2 months now, and tha algae keep growing !!!! Thanks

03/25/2008, 11:07 AM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	The Magnesium trick works for Bryopsis. Phosban Reactor and GFO media are the best method for killing off the misc. types. I'll never run another tank without a reactor. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

03/25/2008, 11:26 AM	#5
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	+1 on the sea hare.Maybe a lettuce nudi too.Thats gotta suck. My first ever tank was like that a 10g like 7 years ago,& i ended up setting up another 10g,& cycling it with new rock,& threw that rock away. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

03/25/2008, 12:50 PM	#10
Arati Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI,NY Posts: 722	.05 is still high it should be .02 if you arent already using 1 buy a two little fishys reactor its like 35$. cut your feeding in 1/2. make shure you run the fuge lights 24/7. Once you see the phos drop down to .25 or so, cut off the tank lights for 3 days. Also if you use any products like micro-vert -stop- Not shure what phos test your are useing but all the cheap one mostly suck. If you dont own a good one take water to a good lfs, that uses a nice digital test. Also the byropsis thread about raising mag, come down to a specific brands mag, you may wanna check you have the right mag suppliment. Best of luck. __________________ I wasn't planning on keeping the turtle until it could pull me around under water. ~RV7AFlyer Current Tank Info: 150 ish gallons of Reef

03/25/2008, 01:25 PM	#13
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	There are two different kinds of phosphate (organic and inorganic) that require different tests. Both can fuel hair algae. Trust your eyes before you trust a test kit. A person with food all over their face has been eating. You don't need to see a plate of food in front of them and do exploratory surgery of their intestines to come to that conclusion. Phosphate can appear low because you have such lush algae growth. If it grows there is food for it, not because your tank is posessed with algae demons. Get a PhosBan Reactor and GFO. Run it for two months and change the media after the first month. If you still have the algae, PM me and I'll buy the rig from you. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

03/25/2008, 11:09 AM	#3
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	sea hare!

03/25/2008, 11:21 AM	#4
Dan Thrash Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 578	check your your PO levels, try to reduce it if it is too high...turn off your lights for 3 days at a time maybe every week...get something that will eat it

03/25/2008, 12:18 PM	#6
mokeyz Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 371	Lawnmower blenny too...

03/25/2008, 12:29 PM	#8
wetone Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cheshire CT Posts: 206	I would also suggest turning off lights for 3 days to see how that does.. also, what type of lighting? how old are bulbs?

03/25/2008, 12:46 PM	#9
mz3bo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7	Hi, Lighting are MH 20 000k and are about 1.5 year old. 2x250W. Bo

03/25/2008, 12:53 PM	#11
madcowz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Boston Posts: 146	Unless you are using a photometer there is no way of knowing your true po4 levels. All regent test kits I have found are awful at testing po4.

03/25/2008, 01:28 PM	#14
DazedandConfuse Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Way down south Posts: 135	What is a GFO?

03/25/2008, 01:44 PM	#15
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	Ramble on to the LFS and pick up a Phos reactor. Toe little fishes, Kent either will work Two little fish is easier to maintain tough. Pick up a maxi jet 600 or 900 depending on how much tubing you need and some Granular Ferric Oxide. You can get it in bulk from bulk reef suply. Run half the recomended amount the first week and then move up towards the recomended amount in the next week ot two. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

03/25/2008, 01:49 PM	#16
arts007 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 600	Replace your bulbs as well since they are 18 months old. But with new bulbs means you will need to acclimate the corals to that new light as the bulbs will have a higher output __________________ Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99% perspiration, which is why engineers sometimes smell really bad. Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef tank. 2x 400 watt Reeflux 12k on lumenbrights

03/25/2008, 02:00 PM	#17
ernestlives Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 116	WOW.

03/25/2008, 02:39 PM	#18
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Are you using RO/DI water? How old is the DI? I recomend a GFO in a reactor as well. Change it once a week for the first couple times. Then 2 weeks for a couple more times. Then see where you are at. Is your skimmer working hard?

03/25/2008, 08:26 PM	#21
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	Anything to help send the hair algae on it's way to the stairway to heaven. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

03/25/2008, 08:29 PM	#22
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	check this thread out for further ideas: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1329802 and here is the link to the bryopsis thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1113109 __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

03/25/2008, 09:10 PM	#23
JBuffetReefer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 510	what fish do you have im your tank? I have a similar hair algae in one of my tanks. I placed the rock with the algae in tank with a powder blue tang and he loves it. hope that helps. __________________ Pour me something tall and strong, make it a hurricane before I go insane. It's only half past twelve but I don't care. It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Tank soon to be reef tank & 34 Gallon Reef Tank

03/25/2008, 10:56 PM	#24
schigara Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Memphis, Tn Posts: 525	GFO, reactor, skimming, cheato lit 24/7, less feeding, no flake food, thaw and rinse frozen food, 0 TDS ro/di water. All these combined will eventually get rid of the hair algae. Throw in some very large common Turbo Snails will get rid of it very quickly and the combination of everything else will keep it from coming back. I hear people always saying that their Turbos won't eat the long Hair Algae and this is true but depends on the size of the Turbo. I had a HA outbreak and 5 Zebra turbos, the largest about 1.5in in diameter would never touch the 1-3 in long hair algae. I was at my LFS explaining the situation and ended going home with 4 giant common Turbo Snails that range from 2-3in in diameter. I dropped them in the sand and within 15 minutes they each found their way to the thickest and hairiest of the HA and 5 days later, the HA was and has been a memory. My HA started due to overfeeding and a crapped out RO membrane and DI resin. Employing everything from the first paragraph and the Turbos totally eliminated my HA and also I very rarely have to prune the chaeto as it grows very slowy now with the GFO in use. A Tang or two and a Lawnmower Blenny or whatever will not eliminate a bad case of HA.