Slow come back from moving tank

TimL · 01/15/2009, 06:53 PM

I moved my reef tank in September. The tank was doing very well. Now however, it is not. Im losing several corals, my once thriving SPS corals are dying and I have an infestation of brown slimy hair type algae. Coats the gravel, rock, corals, and even the glass like spider webs. Ive stepped up water changes but nothing seems to work.

Any thoughts? Or just keep up water changes?

My Kh is 9 and Ca at 400.

Zebodog · 01/15/2009, 07:32 PM

It's possible the move caused a mini cycle especially if you did a complete teardown.
Keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels.

I'd check phosphate as well especially given the SPS aren't doing well however most phosphate test kits don't read particularly well, so you may get a false reading of zero.

Have you tried cutting the photoperiod back or going completely dark for a couple of days? It may help with the brown slimy hair type algae which could be diatoms or dinoflagellates.

If you can manage to post a pic or two, I suspect someone will be able to positively identify the brown slime and provide you with some general direction in eliminating it.

Good Luck!

TimL · 01/15/2009, 08:37 PM

I have not tried lowering the photo period.

Pics at:

Zebodog · 01/15/2009, 09:51 PM

Check out this site if you haven't already.

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/g.../algaepage.htm

nikon187 · 01/15/2009, 09:51 PM

looks like dinoflagates ( spelling butchered)

TimL · 01/17/2009, 08:28 PM

Would it be beneficial to prune my dying SPSs and try and save some frags?

01/15/2009, 06:53 PM	#1
TimL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 32	Slow come back from moving tank I moved my reef tank in September. The tank was doing very well. Now however, it is not. Im losing several corals, my once thriving SPS corals are dying and I have an infestation of brown slimy hair type algae. Coats the gravel, rock, corals, and even the glass like spider webs. Ive stepped up water changes but nothing seems to work. Any thoughts? Or just keep up water changes? My Kh is 9 and Ca at 400.

01/15/2009, 07:32 PM	#2
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	It's possible the move caused a mini cycle especially if you did a complete teardown. Keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels. I'd check phosphate as well especially given the SPS aren't doing well however most phosphate test kits don't read particularly well, so you may get a false reading of zero. Have you tried cutting the photoperiod back or going completely dark for a couple of days? It may help with the brown slimy hair type algae which could be diatoms or dinoflagellates. If you can manage to post a pic or two, I suspect someone will be able to positively identify the brown slime and provide you with some general direction in eliminating it. Good Luck! __________________ We don't inherit the world from our parents.... We borrow it from our children.

01/15/2009, 09:51 PM	#4
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	Check out this site if you haven't already. http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/g.../algaepage.htm __________________ We don't inherit the world from our parents.... We borrow it from our children.

01/15/2009, 09:51 PM	#5
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	looks like dinoflagates ( spelling butchered) __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

01/15/2009, 08:37 PM	#3
TimL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 32	I have not tried lowering the photo period. Pics at:

01/17/2009, 08:28 PM	#6
TimL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sacramento Posts: 32	Would it be beneficial to prune my dying SPSs and try and save some frags?