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Unread 09/11/2010, 07:34 PM   #1
marinereef01
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Algae Attack Pack

When is it best to add an algae attack pack in my tank? It is in the 3rd week of cycling and the algae is getting bad on the rock and glass.


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Unread 09/11/2010, 07:43 PM   #2
B-Willz
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You can add a clean up crew, once your cycle is finished


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Unread 09/11/2010, 08:16 PM   #3
Njkidd23
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A soon as your cycle is over and you'll be fine


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Unread 09/11/2010, 08:39 PM   #4
Palting
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It looks ugly, doesn't it? Thats normal for a new tank.

What are your parameters? What kind of algae? Maybe you cycled early. Post the answers here and we can help tell you if you are ready for the "algae attack pack".


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Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam
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Unread 09/11/2010, 10:56 PM   #5
LaurieC
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Are you keeping your lights on? If you have them on, keep them off while cycling or only on for a few hours. You may have algea because of the lights or if the tank is located somewhere the sun can hit it.


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Unread 09/12/2010, 06:34 AM   #6
BigGimp77
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During my cycle I didn't run my lights and didn't get any algea untill I started adding livestock.


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Unread 09/12/2010, 11:28 AM   #7
marinereef01
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Water Parameters:
Temp: 76.8
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 8.4
Alkalinity: 56
Calcium: 250
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: .50
Nitrate: 5.0
Phosphate: .5
Magnesium: 1440

I have to admit, I added an attack pack and everything died the next day so this is why I was asking.

Also, I was told by the person I bought my rock from to have lights running because the rock was cured - but the tank still has to cycle.


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Unread 09/12/2010, 11:57 AM   #8
Palting
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I like my tank temp up, and run 78-82.

Boy, that Calcium is low. What kind of salt are you using? What kind of test?

Ammonia is still present, so, no to the algae attack pack. I like that term . Wait until the ammonia is zero. Some say nitrite is not THAT toxic, but I'd still wait until it is close to zero or at least on it's way down.

If your rock is "cured" as in "premium cured", meaning there is a good chance you have higher life forms like sponges, baby shrooms, etc, then I would start doing water changes and keep cycling the lights to preserve those higher life forms. If it's just rock with bacteria, then it's better to leave the lights off and no water changes until that ammonia ges to zero.


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Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :)

Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam
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Unread 09/12/2010, 02:18 PM   #9
marinereef01
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Palting View Post
I like my tank temp up, and run 78-82.

Boy, that Calcium is low. What kind of salt are you using? What kind of test?

Ammonia is still present, so, no to the algae attack pack. I like that term . Wait until the ammonia is zero. Some say nitrite is not THAT toxic, but I'd still wait until it is close to zero or at least on it's way down.

If your rock is "cured" as in "premium cured", meaning there is a good chance you have higher life forms like sponges, baby shrooms, etc, then I would start doing water changes and keep cycling the lights to preserve those higher life forms. If it's just rock with bacteria, then it's better to leave the lights off and no water changes until that ammonia ges to zero.
Yeah, it was premium cured. How much and often should I do water changes. I have been doing about 15% every 3-4 days.


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Unread 09/12/2010, 02:29 PM   #10
Palting
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Sounds ok. I'd just keep an eye on that ammonia to make sure it doesn't go higher. If it does, just do a larger water change and let the levels dictate how much and how frequent you should do the water changes. When the ammonia reads zero or undetectable, you can slow down to 10% a week. Always keeping an eye on the ammonia until you are sure it's stable. If stable at undetectable for several days to a week, time for that algae attack pack. Maybe even a hardy fish and a zoa or shroom!! .


__________________
Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :)

Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam
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Unread 09/12/2010, 02:53 PM   #11
Gregthos
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Your algeae will start to disappear and your levels should even out. Either way you'll still want a clean up crew for your tank. They do good work!


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Unread 09/18/2010, 02:21 PM   #12
marinereef01
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Any recommendations on an attack pack?


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