Overflow algae

Shooter7 · 03/04/2006, 02:55 PM

Ok, this is my first ever reef ready tank so wasn't exactly sure of what to expect. A pretty fair amount of light gets into the dual overflows and I'm noting that I'm getting alot of algae growing in there. On one side it completely covers the top area of the overflow. So, my questions are, is it ok for it to be like this? Should I clean it out somehow (not sure exactly how I'm going to do that)? Should I try to have something over them to keep the light out? thanks

UnderwaterExotic · 03/04/2006, 03:04 PM

I leave mine in there. I am curious too see also if it is bad. Although it does house a ton of pods!!!

Alaskan Reefer · 03/04/2006, 03:12 PM

It only will be a problem if it gets into your dursos and starts impeding flow -- if it does so then some is bound to find its way into your sump which may or may not be a big deal. I would at least prune it every couple weeks, I have a little growing in one of mine and I keep it pretty cut back -- along with putting a single turbo snail in there. Some people cover the overflows with black acrylic or the like to prevent the growth.

UnderwaterExotic · 03/04/2006, 03:16 PM

I like the idea of the black acrylic, i hate digging fish out of my 210's overflows!

wrott · 03/04/2006, 03:32 PM

You can use a razor blade to scrape it off of slits and cover it w/ foil.

aural · 03/04/2006, 03:34 PM

i had the same problem with my Reef Ready tank. The algae would go so fast it would cover the overflow slits and make the water level in the tank go higher. I'd be digging handfulls of algae out of the overflow every 2 weeks.

Then i had the brilliant idea to block the light from the overflow. I figured no light, no algae.

So i got myself a piece of black acrylic. traced the shape of the overflow on a piece of paper and enlarged it slightly. the reason i did that was because i wanted the overflow slits to be shaded from the light too. cut my acrylic to shape and flame polished the edges - its been 2 months and i havent had to dig for algae. its been great. here is a picture:

UnderwaterExotic · 03/04/2006, 03:42 PM

Where are you guys getting black acrylic?

StoutLager · 03/04/2006, 03:59 PM

I very much second the motion. Custom black plexiglass.
You must make a custom cover for all your equipment exposed to the light. I cover all hose, rubber, overflows, etc...

Shooter7 · 03/04/2006, 04:45 PM

hmmm...well that sucks. My dursos stick up a little higher than the top of the overflow. Really hate to yank them out and have to be cutting on them for this. Do have to add that those covers look nice.

aural · 03/04/2006, 05:54 PM

i got my black acrylic locally for a plastics store. you can find a plastics store in pretty much any city of resonable size (UnderwaterExotic: you might have to go to Savannah or Charleston)

Shooter7 - what you might do is get yourself some acrylic thicker than how much your dursos stick above. you could drill a hole in the acrylic and adhere a thin piece of black acrylic over the hole.

just a thought.

The Reefer91 · 03/04/2006, 05:57 PM

if you have a jigsaw or a tool like it you could cut teeth to fit them in, or drilll holes for them to stick out of. that's what i'm gonna do.

UnderwaterExotic · 03/04/2006, 07:43 PM

Thanks for the info!

OnTheReef · 03/04/2006, 08:27 PM

TAP Plastics is in a lot of the US and I get my acrylic there. I even have stuff made there every so often. They are not terribly quick on turnaround of projects, but it is very economical.

03/04/2006, 02:55 PM	#1
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Overflow algae Ok, this is my first ever reef ready tank so wasn't exactly sure of what to expect. A pretty fair amount of light gets into the dual overflows and I'm noting that I'm getting alot of algae growing in there. On one side it completely covers the top area of the overflow. So, my questions are, is it ok for it to be like this? Should I clean it out somehow (not sure exactly how I'm going to do that)? Should I try to have something over them to keep the light out? thanks __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

03/04/2006, 03:12 PM	#3
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	It only will be a problem if it gets into your dursos and starts impeding flow -- if it does so then some is bound to find its way into your sump which may or may not be a big deal. I would at least prune it every couple weeks, I have a little growing in one of mine and I keep it pretty cut back -- along with putting a single turbo snail in there. Some people cover the overflows with black acrylic or the like to prevent the growth. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/04/2006, 03:32 PM	#5
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	You can use a razor blade to scrape it off of slits and cover it w/ foil. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt

03/04/2006, 03:34 PM	#6
aural Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,214	i had the same problem with my Reef Ready tank. The algae would go so fast it would cover the overflow slits and make the water level in the tank go higher. I'd be digging handfulls of algae out of the overflow every 2 weeks. Then i had the brilliant idea to block the light from the overflow. I figured no light, no algae. So i got myself a piece of black acrylic. traced the shape of the overflow on a piece of paper and enlarged it slightly. the reason i did that was because i wanted the overflow slits to be shaded from the light too. cut my acrylic to shape and flame polished the edges - its been 2 months and i havent had to dig for algae. its been great. here is a picture: __________________ (¯`•._(¯`•._(-aural-)_.•´¯)_.•´¯) Current Tank Info: 20g Reef - 12g Nano-Cube - Another possible Nano in the works

03/04/2006, 03:59 PM	#8
StoutLager Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bermuda . . . . . . . . Name: Walt Johnson Posts: 70	I very much second the motion. Custom black plexiglass. You must make a custom cover for all your equipment exposed to the light. I cover all hose, rubber, overflows, etc... __________________ "Wisdom is knowing what you don't know" Current Tank Info: 90g Bermuda Reef/Fish, 2xMag12pumps,AquaC ProHOT Skim,Custom In-Tank Sump, Banded Coral Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, many softies. Spanish Hogfish, Banded Butterfly, Reef Butterfly, Puddingwive, Ocean Surgeon

03/04/2006, 03:04 PM	#2
UnderwaterExotic Moved On Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mayville, NY Posts: 1,343	I leave mine in there. I am curious too see also if it is bad. Although it does house a ton of pods!!!

03/04/2006, 03:16 PM	#4
UnderwaterExotic Moved On Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mayville, NY Posts: 1,343	I like the idea of the black acrylic, i hate digging fish out of my 210's overflows!

03/04/2006, 03:42 PM	#7
UnderwaterExotic Moved On Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mayville, NY Posts: 1,343	Where are you guys getting black acrylic?

03/04/2006, 04:45 PM	#9
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	hmmm...well that sucks. My dursos stick up a little higher than the top of the overflow. Really hate to yank them out and have to be cutting on them for this. Do have to add that those covers look nice. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

03/04/2006, 05:54 PM	#10
aural Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,214	i got my black acrylic locally for a plastics store. you can find a plastics store in pretty much any city of resonable size (UnderwaterExotic: you might have to go to Savannah or Charleston) Shooter7 - what you might do is get yourself some acrylic thicker than how much your dursos stick above. you could drill a hole in the acrylic and adhere a thin piece of black acrylic over the hole. just a thought. __________________ (¯`•._(¯`•._(-aural-)_.•´¯)_.•´¯) Current Tank Info: 20g Reef - 12g Nano-Cube - Another possible Nano in the works

03/04/2006, 05:57 PM	#11
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	if you have a jigsaw or a tool like it you could cut teeth to fit them in, or drilll holes for them to stick out of. that's what i'm gonna do. __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

03/04/2006, 07:43 PM	#12
UnderwaterExotic Moved On Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mayville, NY Posts: 1,343	Thanks for the info!

03/04/2006, 08:27 PM	#13
OnTheReef Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 340	TAP Plastics is in a lot of the US and I get my acrylic there. I even have stuff made there every so often. They are not terribly quick on turnaround of projects, but it is very economical. __________________ 100 gallon reef tank, 40 gallon sump/fuge combo with RDSB 2x ASM G2 with gate valve mod TLF phos reactor w/Rowaphos, Seachem Nitrate sponge 4x55w 50/50 actinic PC Current USA 0 amm, 0 nitrite, 0 n Current Tank Info: 50 & 100 gallon reef tanks