Algea problem!!!

jmkasweet · 02/13/2008, 03:19 PM

Ok so I have had my tank up and running for 6 months or so. My problem is that everyday the glass on my tank is solid with green algae everyday. I can clean it and it will be back with in hours. What will fix this or what am I doing wrong. I just bought a better protein skimmer to try to help but so far no good. My levels are all reading good except I can't seem to keep my Calcium and my Kh up. I was hoping some one can give me suggestion on what to do because I don't think that it should look like that everyday. Thanks

dileggi · 02/13/2008, 03:23 PM

Have you recently upgraded your lights or changed your lighting photo period...or has the tank glass needed to be cleaned everyday for the last 6 mos?

What are your other readings on water param's? A better skimmer should help somewhat.

Since the calcium and dKH seem to be giving you problems, I'm wondering if your having a nitrate or phosphate problem. The presence of algae on the glass suggests that there are extra nutrients in your water. Your tests could still show very low levels because the algae could be using these nutrients before they get into the water column...which in turn could cause the drop in calcium and dKH.

jmkasweet · 02/13/2008, 03:27 PM

My nitrates are 0. My nitrites are 0. Phos- is 0. I haven't changed my lighting. It is a T-5. Salinity is 1.023. Everything seems to be ok and it has always done it, but it is getting worse.

dileggi · 02/13/2008, 03:37 PM

I was asking if you had changed the lights, because sometimes the tank needs a break in period to adjust to the lighting and this can occur.

Even though the tests are showing 0 for nitrates and phosphates, I believe that's a false reading. I don't believe the algae would be growing without these present.

What type of water are you using? How often are you doing water changes?

jmkasweet · 02/13/2008, 03:40 PM

I have been doing water changes every two weeks and ten gallons each time. I mostly get my water from an Ro machine in front of our grocery store but at times I have had to get it from my pet store.

02/13/2008, 03:19 PM	#1
jmkasweet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: woodward, Ok Posts: 3	Algea problem!!! Ok so I have had my tank up and running for 6 months or so. My problem is that everyday the glass on my tank is solid with green algae everyday. I can clean it and it will be back with in hours. What will fix this or what am I doing wrong. I just bought a better protein skimmer to try to help but so far no good. My levels are all reading good except I can't seem to keep my Calcium and my Kh up. I was hoping some one can give me suggestion on what to do because I don't think that it should look like that everyday. Thanks

02/13/2008, 03:23 PM	#2
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	Have you recently upgraded your lights or changed your lighting photo period...or has the tank glass needed to be cleaned everyday for the last 6 mos? What are your other readings on water param's? A better skimmer should help somewhat. Since the calcium and dKH seem to be giving you problems, I'm wondering if your having a nitrate or phosphate problem. The presence of algae on the glass suggests that there are extra nutrients in your water. Your tests could still show very low levels because the algae could be using these nutrients before they get into the water column...which in turn could cause the drop in calcium and dKH. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/13/2008, 03:37 PM	#4
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	I was asking if you had changed the lights, because sometimes the tank needs a break in period to adjust to the lighting and this can occur. Even though the tests are showing 0 for nitrates and phosphates, I believe that's a false reading. I don't believe the algae would be growing without these present. What type of water are you using? How often are you doing water changes? __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

02/13/2008, 03:27 PM	#3
jmkasweet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: woodward, Ok Posts: 3	My nitrates are 0. My nitrites are 0. Phos- is 0. I haven't changed my lighting. It is a T-5. Salinity is 1.023. Everything seems to be ok and it has always done it, but it is getting worse.

02/13/2008, 03:40 PM	#5
jmkasweet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: woodward, Ok Posts: 3	I have been doing water changes every two weeks and ten gallons each time. I mostly get my water from an Ro machine in front of our grocery store but at times I have had to get it from my pet store.