Slime Algea problem

mbussart · 12/03/2007, 01:39 PM

I have a 125 gal tank set up with about live rock on the bottom of the tank. Not stacked against the wall. I have about 1200 gph of movement in the tank but am having problems with red slime algea at the bottom on the sand and on the rocks. I am thinking it is not enough current at the bottom as most of the current is at the top of the tank. Besides having to take all the rock out and building a pvc frame with holes drilled in it for frame work for the rocks anyone have any other suggestions. Oh, and not looking to do a cls either.

Thanks for the advice.

steven_dean17 · 12/03/2007, 01:55 PM

More flow. you need to keep the phosphate in the water colum so it can be removed by the system. Do you have a refugium? 1200 gph isn't enough. I would triple that. Try pointing the flow at the bottom, sides, and top.

Blown 346 · 12/03/2007, 02:19 PM

I agree, 1200 GPH in a 125 is nothing especially when you have rock eating up the flow from teh rest of the tank.

What type of water are you using? What are your Phosphate, Nitrate,Nitite etc? How often do you feed the fish and how much if you have fish?

uscharalph · 12/03/2007, 02:31 PM

Suck it out with a turkey baster.

cpl40475 · 12/03/2007, 03:11 PM

i agree more flow. u can take a small powerhead and put towrds the bottom of your tank to move water in the lower portion af your tank. Also invest in a good CUC to help remove detrius and excess nutrient from the rock and sand bed

Blown 346 · 12/03/2007, 03:13 PM

You also have to remember that you have to figure out what is causing the algae to grow instead of just removing it. By removing it, it will help, but the problem still lies in the tank and the algae will continue.

mbussart · 12/04/2007, 07:38 AM

I have 4 fish right now. 2 clowns, a maradian gobie, and a lion fish. I feed them once daily to try to keep from over feeding. My tank is not drilled so I do not have a sump. I was going to drill it but my dad has a 90 drilled with a sump and it has been nothing but headaches for us so I decided not to drill it. would the best bet be to put pvc pipe drilled and put a pump on it to pump the water through it. I have an extra 75 gallon and 55 gallon I could set up while I did this. Or should I just drill it and redo the whole set up?

steven_dean17 · 12/04/2007, 07:46 AM

You need a fuge not a sump.

12/03/2007, 01:39 PM	#1
mbussart Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 13	Slime Algea problem I have a 125 gal tank set up with about live rock on the bottom of the tank. Not stacked against the wall. I have about 1200 gph of movement in the tank but am having problems with red slime algea at the bottom on the sand and on the rocks. I am thinking it is not enough current at the bottom as most of the current is at the top of the tank. Besides having to take all the rock out and building a pvc frame with holes drilled in it for frame work for the rocks anyone have any other suggestions. Oh, and not looking to do a cls either. Thanks for the advice.

12/03/2007, 01:55 PM	#2
steven_dean17 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: scott depot wv. Posts: 601	More flow. you need to keep the phosphate in the water colum so it can be removed by the system. Do you have a refugium? 1200 gph isn't enough. I would triple that. Try pointing the flow at the bottom, sides, and top. __________________ The Dali Llama is my "Ommmmmboy" Current Tank Info: 75gal. reef

12/03/2007, 02:31 PM	#4
uscharalph Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 1,248	Suck it out with a turkey baster. __________________ Ralph Mendoza Jr. Long Beach, CA Current Tank Info: 80 Gallon Reef Tank

12/03/2007, 03:11 PM	#5
cpl40475 Just hanging out Join Date: May 2007 Location: ky Posts: 786	i agree more flow. u can take a small powerhead and put towrds the bottom of your tank to move water in the lower portion af your tank. Also invest in a good CUC to help remove detrius and excess nutrient from the rock and sand bed __________________ Im just a redneck in a city slickers lifestyle Current Tank Info: WORKING ON IT

12/04/2007, 07:46 AM	#8
steven_dean17 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: scott depot wv. Posts: 601	You need a fuge not a sump. __________________ The Dali Llama is my "Ommmmmboy" Current Tank Info: 75gal. reef

12/03/2007, 02:19 PM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I agree, 1200 GPH in a 125 is nothing especially when you have rock eating up the flow from teh rest of the tank. What type of water are you using? What are your Phosphate, Nitrate,Nitite etc? How often do you feed the fish and how much if you have fish?

12/03/2007, 03:13 PM	#6
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	You also have to remember that you have to figure out what is causing the algae to grow instead of just removing it. By removing it, it will help, but the problem still lies in the tank and the algae will continue.

12/04/2007, 07:38 AM	#7
mbussart Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 13	I have 4 fish right now. 2 clowns, a maradian gobie, and a lion fish. I feed them once daily to try to keep from over feeding. My tank is not drilled so I do not have a sump. I was going to drill it but my dad has a 90 drilled with a sump and it has been nothing but headaches for us so I decided not to drill it. would the best bet be to put pvc pipe drilled and put a pump on it to pump the water through it. I have an extra 75 gallon and 55 gallon I could set up while I did this. Or should I just drill it and redo the whole set up?