Algae in stacks and lines?

[calvertbill]

I've been fighting a bad algae problem lately. Phosphate reactor running, clean skimmer every 3 days, etc.

The immediate problem is that the tank level keeps rising, the overflow stacks are full, and the tank is threatening to overflow. If I turn off the main pump the level goes down as the overflow stacks slowly empty. I assume, therefore that I've got blockage in the lines.

Before you say I should replace the lines you should know that I've got 85 feet of marine hose, 1" pvc, 2" pvc system taking the water from the overflow stacks, through the floor downstairs to the bank of UV tubes, up to the 1HP chiller and back to the holding tank (90 gal) which flows into the sump (75 gal) and ultimately up the 2 returns to the 450 gal DT.

Any suggestions? BTW I can't cut back on feeding because every time I try the 11" Mata looses color and as his caudal and dorsal fins turn white I step the feeding back up which restores his color. Also BTW I'm losing corals, all zoas dead, leathers limp, torches all gone. Only happy residents are inverts, fish, and a carpet which has grown 30% during this problem.

[Alex T.]

How old are your lights?

[calvertbill]

A tricky question. I last replaced the Compact PCs in November '08 (2 yrs 3 mos ago) but unless I have guests to see the tank I rarely use them. I've never replaced the MHs.

[jalloway502]

The lights should be replaced every 9-12 months. Mighta found the problem!

[calvertbill]

i thought that was for pcs, for MHs too?

[dogstar74]

You can try running a pig down the overflow lines. For instance, take a small sock and fill it with anything. It needs to be about the size of the pipe with just a little room around the edges. Then put the pig in the top of the pipe, and hook a shop vac to the sump end of the pipe and suck that sucker through. It should clean out all the junk in the returns and restore them to full flow. You may want to encase the sock in a plastic dish scrubber or something to really scour the crap out of the pipes.

Good luck.

Aaron

[dogstar74]

Here ya go:

http://www.pipepigs.com/video.htm

Sounds like you would need to supply water at the top to push it out the bottom and probably keep the pipe lubricated while the pig does it's thing. But this should work for you.

[OregonReefer]

I've heard that some sponges like to grow in dark places with a lot of circulation.. like plumbing.

You could also try pressurized air.. If it's sponges in your plumbing just the air might kill them

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by dogstar74

You can try running a pig down the overflow lines. For instance, take a small sock and fill it with anything. It needs to be about the size of the pipe with just a little room around the edges. Then put the pig in the top of the pipe, and hook a shop vac to the sump end of the pipe and suck that sucker through. It should clean out all the junk in the returns and restore them to full flow. You may want to encase the sock in a plastic dish scrubber or something to really scour the crap out of the pipes.

Good luck.

Aaron

Thats how the public aquariums do it

Or you can run some string down the pipe (with the water flowing to keep it going) and drag a green pad through the system, either way be prepared for the mess to come out.