Red stringy algae bloom!

Chris&Mel · 12/16/2008, 10:56 AM

I seem to be going threw a bloom with purpleish red algae.....is this a bad thing? or will it go away on its own?

Thanx, Chris

Michael · 12/16/2008, 11:01 AM

http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-On-Ba...ium&id=1107041

WaterKeeper · 12/16/2008, 11:08 AM

I was going to give a link ot an thread I wrote too but that article says exactly what I said. Thanks Mike, you English are not as bad as they teach us in our school's history classes.

Chris&Mel · 12/16/2008, 11:12 AM

so, should i point one of my korilia's at it? I considered this but didn't want to blast my toadstools

Chris&Mel · 12/16/2008, 11:12 AM

crvz · 12/16/2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris&Mel
so, should i point one of my korilia's at it? I considered this but didn't want to blast my toadstools

Higher flow is one step of the solution, the better idea is to eliminate the fuel that's feeding the issue. It does look like cyano.

jenglish · 12/16/2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crvz
Higher flow is one step of the solution, the better idea is to eliminate the fuel that's feeding the issue. It does look like cyano.

+1

woogy · 12/16/2008, 08:09 PM

I did a lights out for 3 days about one week ago and haven't seen a sign of it yet.

Chris&Mel · 12/20/2008, 03:12 PM

Ok, so i directed more flow at the algae and cut back on feading and lights....and it still seems to be getting worse.
Would doing a lights out for a day hurt my Soft corals?

Chris&Mel · 12/20/2008, 03:20 PM

on an unrelated topic, how do I upload a pick that will apear under my name when i post?

Chris&Mel · 12/20/2008, 08:59 PM

hee hee......

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 09:31 AM

Ok, so i directed more flow at the algae and cut back on feading and lights....and it still seems to be getting worse.
Would doing a lights out for a day hurt my Soft corals?

It's getting worse!!!
I thought my tank would be relaxing,
first a major Ich outbreak
Now getting over run by algae
GRRRRRR!

Michael · 12/21/2008, 09:37 AM

chris, the problem is make up water or excessive nutrients or both, check and double check your ro-di water, and do a large water change, siphon up any detritus around the back of your reef and on the rocks, keep the skimmer working well, keep the cup clean and wet skim, get your phos media replaced and keep replacing it, siphon out the algae when you water change and keep doing this over the next couple of weeks, do a couple of changes in the next week, hoovering up as much of it as you can, and replace with quality water, also run some carbon, it can help remove organics from the water as can wet skimming, keep any sponges you have clean, and clean them under tap water not tank water

spleify · 12/21/2008, 09:39 AM

Well, like mentioned, cut back on feeding. If you can add another power head. What are your params?
If you have high NO3 and PO4, this may be the issue. What is you water change schedule? How often? How much?
Turning your lights out will not hurt your corals, and may not do anything for killing the cyano. It might help, but different people have different results.
Do you have a phosban reactor running any GFO media?

HTH

Spleify

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 09:49 AM

Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Amonia 0
PH 8.2
Cal 450 ish

Have been doing about 5 gal water change every 5 days or so.

I dont have a phosban reactor, whats GFO media?
I'm running my super skimmer 220 24/7 lately havent been getting much out of it, tryed doing that fishing line mod on the impeller yesterday seams to be producing better bubles but still not much in the way of gunk comming out.

Michael · 12/21/2008, 10:01 AM

chris you didnt mention testing for phos, and even though everyone says you cant, i do, its hard to get an accurate measurement but if you have phos you should get a reading, even on a basic salifert kit, and your skimmer sounds like its not set up properly, you should be getting skimmate, and as i mentioned chris get some carbon running, if you have no reactor then get a small canister filter and put some rowaphos between floss in the bottom compartment and some carbon in the top compartment near the exit point back to the tank, wash it in ro-water first

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 10:04 AM

I just put 2 bags of carbon in the other day, I'll get some rowaphos today

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 10:05 AM

I am getting skim mate, but its not very dark

Michael · 12/21/2008, 10:06 AM

in a canister?

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 10:06 AM

its a light green color

Michael · 12/21/2008, 10:09 AM

chris is the 2 bags of carbon in a canister

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 10:11 AM

yup, i run a Marineland C-360, and I clean it probebly twice a week.

Chris&Mel · 12/21/2008, 10:17 AM

I changed the spong yesterday and cleaned the one on the out put for my skimmer, so I don't think its them.

Michael · 12/21/2008, 10:17 AM

well, a way to help then chris is to put a bag of rowaphos in the canister, after a week replace it with another, and so on, the danger is you could remove too much phos too quick and corals could be effected, so you will need to monitor phos and if the algae slows down its working, dont over use it, and start with a few spoonfuls and build up, in small amounts it wont last long at the moment so regular changes of it is wise, but as the algae gets better it can be left to run longer, as for the carbon, what make are you using? because if its cheap it could be leaching phos into your tank and making things worse

Michael · 12/21/2008, 10:18 AM

i suggest you remove any sponges from the canister, and the one on the skimmer needs cleaning everyday

12/16/2008, 10:56 AM	#1
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	Red stringy algae bloom! I seem to be going threw a bloom with purpleish red algae.....is this a bad thing? or will it go away on its own? Thanx, Chris

12/16/2008, 11:01 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-On-Ba...ium&id=1107041 __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/16/2008, 11:08 AM	#3
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I was going to give a link ot an thread I wrote too but that article says exactly what I said. Thanks Mike, you English are not as bad as they teach us in our school's history classes. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

12/16/2008, 11:12 AM	#4
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	so, should i point one of my korilia's at it? I considered this but didn't want to blast my toadstools __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/16/2008, 11:12 AM	#5
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	__________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/16/2008, 08:09 PM	#8
woogy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western PA Posts: 986	I did a lights out for 3 days about one week ago and haven't seen a sign of it yet.

12/20/2008, 03:12 PM	#9
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	Ok, so i directed more flow at the algae and cut back on feading and lights....and it still seems to be getting worse. Would doing a lights out for a day hurt my Soft corals? __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/20/2008, 03:20 PM	#10
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	on an unrelated topic, how do I upload a pick that will apear under my name when i post? __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/20/2008, 08:59 PM	#11
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	hee hee...... __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 09:31 AM	#12
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	Ok, so i directed more flow at the algae and cut back on feading and lights....and it still seems to be getting worse. Would doing a lights out for a day hurt my Soft corals? It's getting worse!!! I thought my tank would be relaxing, first a major Ich outbreak Now getting over run by algae GRRRRRR! __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 09:37 AM	#13
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	chris, the problem is make up water or excessive nutrients or both, check and double check your ro-di water, and do a large water change, siphon up any detritus around the back of your reef and on the rocks, keep the skimmer working well, keep the cup clean and wet skim, get your phos media replaced and keep replacing it, siphon out the algae when you water change and keep doing this over the next couple of weeks, do a couple of changes in the next week, hoovering up as much of it as you can, and replace with quality water, also run some carbon, it can help remove organics from the water as can wet skimming, keep any sponges you have clean, and clean them under tap water not tank water __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/21/2008, 09:39 AM	#14
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Well, like mentioned, cut back on feeding. If you can add another power head. What are your params? If you have high NO3 and PO4, this may be the issue. What is you water change schedule? How often? How much? Turning your lights out will not hurt your corals, and may not do anything for killing the cyano. It might help, but different people have different results. Do you have a phosban reactor running any GFO media? HTH Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

12/21/2008, 09:49 AM	#15
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 Amonia 0 PH 8.2 Cal 450 ish Have been doing about 5 gal water change every 5 days or so. I dont have a phosban reactor, whats GFO media? I'm running my super skimmer 220 24/7 lately havent been getting much out of it, tryed doing that fishing line mod on the impeller yesterday seams to be producing better bubles but still not much in the way of gunk comming out. __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:01 AM	#16
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	chris you didnt mention testing for phos, and even though everyone says you cant, i do, its hard to get an accurate measurement but if you have phos you should get a reading, even on a basic salifert kit, and your skimmer sounds like its not set up properly, you should be getting skimmate, and as i mentioned chris get some carbon running, if you have no reactor then get a small canister filter and put some rowaphos between floss in the bottom compartment and some carbon in the top compartment near the exit point back to the tank, wash it in ro-water first __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/21/2008, 10:04 AM	#17
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	I just put 2 bags of carbon in the other day, I'll get some rowaphos today __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:05 AM	#18
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	I am getting skim mate, but its not very dark __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:06 AM	#19
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	in a canister? __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/21/2008, 10:06 AM	#20
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	its a light green color __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:09 AM	#21
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	chris is the 2 bags of carbon in a canister __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/21/2008, 10:11 AM	#22
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	yup, i run a Marineland C-360, and I clean it probebly twice a week. __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:17 AM	#23
Chris&Mel Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 597	I changed the spong yesterday and cleaned the one on the out put for my skimmer, so I don't think its them. __________________ I let my wife think she is the brains of this operation Current Tank Info: 60 gal ,36" sun dial T-5, super skimmer 220, #2&#3 korilia's, marineland 20gal sump, 80pd's LR, 30 pd's LS

12/21/2008, 10:18 AM	#25
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	i suggest you remove any sponges from the canister, and the one on the skimmer needs cleaning everyday __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)