Algae problem

bighead · 12/15/2013, 09:54 PM

I have a 90 gal tank and I have been fighting green algae for about 3months now I can't get rid of it and it is driving me nuts this is not green bubble algae it is I guess green hair algae looks like a fuzz carpet so far I have done water changes and scrub it off goes away for a day or two then comes right back.
My water parameters are
Sg1.026
Temp 78
Cal 440
Alk. 8.4
Nitrates 0
Nitrites .5-1
Phosphates 0

I run gfo in a reactor and I have been running carbon for last two weeks

My lighting was a 4 lamp t-5 fixture and I just changed over two days ago to a 48 in reefbreeder led
I use RoDi water with 0tds

oscarinw · 12/15/2013, 10:00 PM

Try reducing your photoperiod, upping the water changes, being consistent and disciplined with them, reducing the feeding, insist in the manual removal and it should slowly recede. Get a 2nd opinion on your water phosphate and nitrates reading (LFS would do this for a fee and many times free).
If all of this, you should win.

Reefer54 · 12/15/2013, 10:03 PM

sounds more like turf algae.....water params and nutrient introduction combined with lighting are the main causes...as mentioned above.

bighead · 12/15/2013, 10:08 PM

I have been feeding every other day and doing a 10 gal water change every week my lites are on a 12 hr cycle but they are only at 30% right now and take 4 hrs to ramp up and 4 hrs to ramp down then moon lite is on which I don't think will bother anything last month I covered my tank for 3 days seemed to help but it came back

bighead · 12/15/2013, 10:45 PM

How many hours of lighting do you recommend

Reefer54 · 12/15/2013, 10:55 PM

hours of light is one thing......CORRECT SPECTRUM IS ANOTHER. too much of any spectrum will encourage the growth of nuissance algaes, especially red ,and blue really wont.

I would look at the lights. 48 in reefbreeders.....which fixture...what K of light....and most importantly i would look at the spectral output of the leds they use. you have them at 30%.... It may very well be the difference in lights..and your system just needs time to balance out. your new leds are putting out very different light than the t5 were. I would keep the system clean, lower the photoperiod and slowly raise it, and slowly raise the intensity % to a level you are happy with over the next month or so.

next is algae scrubber in the sump....it will help keep nuisance algae down there and not up top.

Good luck

JAnwyl · 12/16/2013, 05:11 AM

Hair algae. Do a search for the algae types listed here and then see what others have done to successfully remove it.

If you have room, make an algae scrubber. It will compete with other algae and it will win. Or if you have a sump grow some chaeto and it will also compete, it will minimize problem your having. Plus those are good ways to filter water.

12/15/2013, 09:54 PM	#1
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	Algae problem I have a 90 gal tank and I have been fighting green algae for about 3months now I can't get rid of it and it is driving me nuts this is not green bubble algae it is I guess green hair algae looks like a fuzz carpet so far I have done water changes and scrub it off goes away for a day or two then comes right back. My water parameters are Sg1.026 Temp 78 Cal 440 Alk. 8.4 Nitrates 0 Nitrites .5-1 Phosphates 0 I run gfo in a reactor and I have been running carbon for last two weeks My lighting was a 4 lamp t-5 fixture and I just changed over two days ago to a 48 in reefbreeder led I use RoDi water with 0tds

12/15/2013, 10:03 PM	#3
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	sounds more like turf algae.....water params and nutrient introduction combined with lighting are the main causes...as mentioned above. __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

12/15/2013, 10:55 PM	#6
Reefer54 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Avon Posts: 1,087	hours of light is one thing......CORRECT SPECTRUM IS ANOTHER. too much of any spectrum will encourage the growth of nuissance algaes, especially red ,and blue really wont. I would look at the lights. 48 in reefbreeders.....which fixture...what K of light....and most importantly i would look at the spectral output of the leds they use. you have them at 30%.... It may very well be the difference in lights..and your system just needs time to balance out. your new leds are putting out very different light than the t5 were. I would keep the system clean, lower the photoperiod and slowly raise it, and slowly raise the intensity % to a level you are happy with over the next month or so. next is algae scrubber in the sump....it will help keep nuisance algae down there and not up top. Good luck __________________ R54 Current Tank Info: 36 x 36 x 25 Cube, mixed reef, A360WE x 3, A350N x 1, 40GB sump, RDSB, Remote LR Cryptic, 2 WP-40's, ummm....

12/15/2013, 10:00 PM	#2
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	Try reducing your photoperiod, upping the water changes, being consistent and disciplined with them, reducing the feeding, insist in the manual removal and it should slowly recede. Get a 2nd opinion on your water phosphate and nitrates reading (LFS would do this for a fee and many times free). If all of this, you should win.

12/15/2013, 10:08 PM	#4
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	I have been feeding every other day and doing a 10 gal water change every week my lites are on a 12 hr cycle but they are only at 30% right now and take 4 hrs to ramp up and 4 hrs to ramp down then moon lite is on which I don't think will bother anything last month I covered my tank for 3 days seemed to help but it came back

12/15/2013, 10:45 PM	#5
bighead Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 444	How many hours of lighting do you recommend

12/16/2013, 05:11 AM	#7
JAnwyl Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA Posts: 239	Hair algae. Do a search for the algae types listed here and then see what others have done to successfully remove it. If you have room, make an algae scrubber. It will compete with other algae and it will win. Or if you have a sump grow some chaeto and it will also compete, it will minimize problem your having. Plus those are good ways to filter water.