I need Help after Power outage

bill1282 · 10/14/2008, 01:09 PM

My power was out due to a bad wind storm leaving my tank without power for about 60 hours. The only things that I can tell I lost were a lot of snails, crabs, and shrimp all my fish and coral survived. My problem is now I have a bad break out of long haired green algae that I do not know how to control. My tests show:

Phosphates = 0
Nitrates = 0
Alkalinity = 300
PH = 7.8 (cant get it higher even with buffer)
Calcium = 319
Specific Gravity 31ppt
Water Temp = 80F
RO/DI filtered water
Ammonia 0

It is a 75 gallon tank with a refugium,Coralife Super Skimmer, 18W Turbo-Twist UV, 2 (295gph) heads, estimated 60lbs live rock, 2 tomato clowns, Bicolor Pseudochromis, 2 damsels, lawn mower blenny, button polyp, starburst polyp, large leather. refugium has live sand, rock and macro algae. Lights stay on 7 hours in 2 stages 260 watts (Actinic and daylight bulbs)

Thank you for any help you can give me
Bill

Otty · 10/14/2008, 01:44 PM

You have a PO4 reactor running?

acrodave · 10/14/2008, 01:47 PM

what is your alk running (300)???

Michael · 10/14/2008, 01:53 PM

id start with a water change and get some flow across the surface to aid the ph, then id slowly raise my salinity to 35, your calcium is very low also, if it were me id aim for at least 400, 420-430 even better and also, im not familiar with the alk reading but i work in dkh and would aim for 8-12, as for the hair algae, well set the skimmer so it skims heavy and get some phosban running, anything else you can add which may help?

bill1282 · 10/14/2008, 01:55 PM

I dont have a PO4 reactor running, my Phosphate when I test it (aquarium pharmaceuticals kit)was running zero could there still be a problem?

I just tested the alk (all i have are the test strips) it is reading 300 in the ideal range

Michael · 10/14/2008, 02:02 PM

phos is hard to measure accurately because it gets used up so quickly, but with a decent kit you should be able to see something if its in there bill, i will be honest bill ive absolutely no experience with test strips at all so i just dont get the readings there, but if 300 is ideal range then thats good news, have you tested mag as well, regardless of the problem you have at present bill if you can get all parameters as close as you can to nsw and keep them there then you have a fighting change of beating it

bill1282 · 10/14/2008, 02:14 PM

I am going to make those changes that you suggested; I have cranked up the protein skimmer and opened up the calcium drip. I am going to get more macro algae and a phosban. My Coralife Super Skimmer has nailed me a couple of times waking up to 5 gallons of water on my carpet so I have to keep an eye on it. Should I raise the salinity to 35 slow or does it matter? Thank you for all your help.

Michael · 10/14/2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bill1282
I am going to make those changes that you suggested; I have cranked up the protein skimmer and opened up the calcium drip. I am going to get more macro algae and a phosban. My Coralife Super Skimmer has nailed me a couple of times waking up to 5 gallons of water on my carpet so I have to keep an eye on it. Should I raise the salinity to 35 slow or does it matter? Thank you for all your help.

i think the general opinion from most of us bill is to raise it slowly, its easily done, just make all new water you replace to 35 and eventually it will get there

bill1282 · 10/14/2008, 02:18 PM

Thank you again

Bill

10/14/2008, 01:09 PM	#1
bill1282 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 17	I need Help after Power outage My power was out due to a bad wind storm leaving my tank without power for about 60 hours. The only things that I can tell I lost were a lot of snails, crabs, and shrimp all my fish and coral survived. My problem is now I have a bad break out of long haired green algae that I do not know how to control. My tests show: Phosphates = 0 Nitrates = 0 Alkalinity = 300 PH = 7.8 (cant get it higher even with buffer) Calcium = 319 Specific Gravity 31ppt Water Temp = 80F RO/DI filtered water Ammonia 0 It is a 75 gallon tank with a refugium,Coralife Super Skimmer, 18W Turbo-Twist UV, 2 (295gph) heads, estimated 60lbs live rock, 2 tomato clowns, Bicolor Pseudochromis, 2 damsels, lawn mower blenny, button polyp, starburst polyp, large leather. refugium has live sand, rock and macro algae. Lights stay on 7 hours in 2 stages 260 watts (Actinic and daylight bulbs) Thank you for any help you can give me Bill

10/14/2008, 01:44 PM	#2
Otty Bikers are a dying breed Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Eliazbethtown, IN Posts: 142	You have a PO4 reactor running? __________________ Scott Current Tank Info: 265g (Peninsula) 3x400w MH's, 4x95w Actinics, PM Bullet 3 Skimmer, OM 4-way CL, WavySea for return, Kalk Rctr, KNOP Ca Rctr w/PM 2nd Chamber, PM PO4 Rctr, TradeWinds Chiller, ACIII Controller, DelZone O3, 75g Sump, 30g Fuge

10/14/2008, 01:47 PM	#3
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	what is your alk running (300)??? __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

10/14/2008, 01:53 PM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	id start with a water change and get some flow across the surface to aid the ph, then id slowly raise my salinity to 35, your calcium is very low also, if it were me id aim for at least 400, 420-430 even better and also, im not familiar with the alk reading but i work in dkh and would aim for 8-12, as for the hair algae, well set the skimmer so it skims heavy and get some phosban running, anything else you can add which may help? __________________ 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)

10/14/2008, 02:02 PM	#6
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	phos is hard to measure accurately because it gets used up so quickly, but with a decent kit you should be able to see something if its in there bill, i will be honest bill ive absolutely no experience with test strips at all so i just dont get the readings there, but if 300 is ideal range then thats good news, have you tested mag as well, regardless of the problem you have at present bill if you can get all parameters as close as you can to nsw and keep them there then you have a fighting change of beating it __________________ 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)

10/14/2008, 01:55 PM	#5
bill1282 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 17	I dont have a PO4 reactor running, my Phosphate when I test it (aquarium pharmaceuticals kit)was running zero could there still be a problem? I just tested the alk (all i have are the test strips) it is reading 300 in the ideal range

10/14/2008, 02:14 PM	#7
bill1282 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 17	I am going to make those changes that you suggested; I have cranked up the protein skimmer and opened up the calcium drip. I am going to get more macro algae and a phosban. My Coralife Super Skimmer has nailed me a couple of times waking up to 5 gallons of water on my carpet so I have to keep an eye on it. Should I raise the salinity to 35 slow or does it matter? Thank you for all your help.

10/14/2008, 02:18 PM	#9
bill1282 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 17	Thank you again Bill