Algae problem

[Tanthaitrung]

Dear all

I switched to NO3:PO4-X. Now NO3 is <1 (Salifert), PO4 is ~0.02 (HANA 736). The tank was covered and black out 3 days but they were still there. After removing by toothbrush, change 20% of water then they grow on the same places, some of them are on bare bottom (low light) and some on the rocks (medium, high light) no appear on other places.

Please show me how to rid

Thanks in advance
Khanh

[mcgyvr]

Do you have a clean up crew? (snails/crabs,etc..)?
Age of tank?
If its still growing you are getting false nitrate readings (possibly)

You can always do a peroxide dip/scrubbing..

[fishgate]

An ATS is the only way to go!

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Do you have a clean up crew? (snails/crabs,etc..)?
Age of tank?
If its still growing you are getting false nitrate readings (possibly)

You can always do a peroxide dip/scrubbing..

Thanks for your reply mcgyvr

Unluckily, my tank has no CUC and the LFSs too. My tank is <3 years old. I'm using Salifert for NO3, will try to compare with another test but it's too hard in Vietnam, where has no many choices

Do you mean to take the rocks out and dip in a peroxide solution? If so, I can't do because my rocks were glued.

Regards
Khanh

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by fishgate

An ATS is the only way to go!

Thanks fishgate

What is ATS?
Khanh

[BigEZ77]

A CUC is pretty important. Can't say I'm overly experienced but I have run Phosguard in a reactor with a little GAC on top since very close to the start of my tank and have never had algae issues.

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by BigEZ77

A CUC is pretty important. Can't say I'm overly experienced but I have run Phosguard in a reactor with a little GAC on top since very close to the start of my tank and have never had algae issues.

Thanks for your advice Russell

[OrQidz]

ATS is an algae turf scrubber. If you look in the DIY forum there is a whole thread just on that.

Good luck with the algae. It's frustrating for sure!

[CStrickland]

Your nitrate and phos readings are fine, that's not a problem. As such, I'm not sure how much it will help to add more nutrient removal to your system (ats, phosguard, gfo etc).

What is the texture of your pest? Does it feel like a slime, or attach like a plant, or blow off easily like a dust?

What is the source of your water? Do you buy it mixed up, or filtered, or filter it yourself? If you add salt, does it test at zero tds before salt is added?

There are many types of CUC, and it is even possible they will breed in your tank once you get them started. Have you asked your lfs if they can order some for you? All those small snails and crabs are a very important part of the ecosystem.

How much flow, current, do you have in the tank? Is it possible that extra food and poop is landing on the rocks and decaying into fertilizer? You should be able to wave your hand over that rock and not have a cloud of detritus be carried up.

What is your schedule for water changes?

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by OrQidz

ATS is an algae turf scrubber. If you look in the DIY forum there is a whole thread just on that.

Good luck with the algae. It's frustrating for sure!

Thanks so much OrQdz

Regards
Khanh

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Your nitrate and phos readings are fine, that's not a problem. As such, I'm not sure how much it will help to add more nutrient removal to your system (ats, phosguard, gfo etc).

What is the texture of your pest? Does it feel like a slime, or attach like a plant, or blow off easily like a dust?

What is the source of your water? Do you buy it mixed up, or filtered, or filter it yourself? If you add salt, does it test at zero tds before salt is added?

There are many types of CUC, and it is even possible they will breed in your tank once you get them started. Have you asked your lfs if they can order some for you? All those small snails and crabs are a very important part of the ecosystem.

How much flow, current, do you have in the tank? Is it possible that extra food and poop is landing on the rocks and decaying into fertilizer? You should be able to wave your hand over that rock and not have a cloud of detritus be carried up.

What is your schedule for water changes?

Great thanks CStrickland

It attaches like a plant, can not remove by siphon, must use a toothbrush

Yes, my fresh water is always at 0 TDS. I'm using RODI (with TDS tester) + Reef Crystal.

Yes, I will order the CUC.

My DT is 240g, sump is 50g. Tunze skimmer 9430 (~800g). Return pump: >2000gph. Power head: Tunze 6105x2 (>5200gph) + Maxspect Gyre 150: 5200gph

Parameter:
Temperarure: 77 - 79
Salinity: 1025
PH: 8.2
KH: 8.9
Calcium: 420
Magnesium: 1200
Nitrate: 0.5
Phosphate: 0.02

No extra food. Feed fishes once a day, corals and anemone twice a week.

I have:

Goniopora
Hammer x 2
Bubble
Leather
Zoanthids
Acan
Carpet anemone
Cleaner shrimp x 5

Clown x 2
Copper Banded
Blue Face angel
Purple tang
Marine Betta

Doing 15% water change every 2 weeks

I'm using Corona led 120w x 3 with 30% white and 80% blue, full intensity 7 hours. Someone here told me the white chanel will increase algae. What do you think about this?

All the best
Khanh

[CStrickland]

I don't know about the lights, I've heard lots of different things. Does your tang ever eat it? If not, you might Google "lyngbya reef tank" and see if it matches yours. It's like a brown, fluffy algae, instead of strings of green hair. Or maybe you have a lazy tang

[Tanthaitrung]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

I don't know about the lights, I've heard lots of different things. Does your tang ever eat it? If not, you might Google "lyngbya reef tank" and see if it matches yours. It's like a brown, fluffy algae, instead of strings of green hair. Or maybe you have a lazy tang

Thanks again & Best regards

Khanh