Algae That Wont Go Away

kernyboy · 08/17/2008, 08:00 AM

My nitrates are between 5 and 10. 10 usually just before a water change. My phosphate is at .2. What gives? Any suggestions/recommedations on how I can beat this algae outbreak?

pic is here:

doubleduece · 08/17/2008, 08:18 AM

There are many factors that contribute to algae, and you should consider all of them in the fight against algae. First, would be to make sure all youre water parameters are in check, p04, nitrartes at 0, water temp not to high, are you using ro/di water to make up. Second could be do you have enough water moving in the tank, or a large enough clean up crew or diversity in the clean up crew, light cycle, and even how much are you feeding the tank.

Do you have a sump or a fuge, if so are you running cheato or the likes, you should also run some ROWA or phosban, to help keep your phosban in check..

The last thing you could try would be to turn off the light for 24 to 48 hours, and not feed the tank. It wont hurt any of your inhabitants..

Give us somemore info on your setup

doubleduece · 08/17/2008, 08:20 AM

After lookin at the pic again I can see that you have some snails, you can see there path or destruction on the glass. Keep your glass as clean as possible, it will force them to go else where.

Sk8r · 08/17/2008, 08:21 AM

Tests for phosphate don't show the phosphate that's bound up in living algae. A phosban reactor can help you; so can a fuge. but something has to eat the algae and poo it into the water so the fuge or reactor can uptake it.

kernyboy · 08/17/2008, 08:32 AM

I'm also planning on moving my 10 gallon into a 30 gallon tank. Are there any hang on regugiums you could recommend? Maybe something you've come across. I'm checking around online for some now.

kernyboy · 08/17/2008, 08:54 AM

can i literally just drop chaeto in my tank ? or get a lil in tank refugium with some chaeto in it to eat up all the goodies before the bad algae does? is this the same principle as getting a sump?

Sk8r · 08/17/2008, 09:08 AM

best way to do a fuge is to set up a sump with enough room to dedicate 1 chamber to a fuge. Or you can bulkhead a fuge to a sump. I set my skimmer on eggcrate above my sump (i have plenty of overhead room) so I could use the skimmer space for a fuge.
There are hob fuges, but they're very small, and the one I tried just slid down the glass on its suction cups and was a total bust. Plus it blocked light reaching my corals. Same problem with weed in the tank: blocks light.
i've seen fuges set on a shelf above the main tank, where the object was just to supply pods to the tank via a dripline; but to get the benefits of phosphate removal, it needs to be in-line with the water flow.
Under your circumstances, I would recommend a phosban reactor (cheap, under 50.00) plumbed inline with your pump.

crvz · 08/17/2008, 09:18 AM

While a refugium can be a good tool in controlling algae, I wouldnt rely on it to solve your problem. You've clearly got a nutrient problem, having measurable po4 confirms this. You're going to need to be very diligent with cleaning the tank to get rid of hair algae, particularly doing weekly water changes, siphoning detritus, and manually removing the algae. It may seem hopeless for a while, but after a couple months you should see it start to recede.

The phosban and refugium will help, but it's not going to solve anything.

08/17/2008, 08:00 AM	#1
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	Algae That Wont Go Away My nitrates are between 5 and 10. 10 usually just before a water change. My phosphate is at .2. What gives? Any suggestions/recommedations on how I can beat this algae outbreak? pic is here:

08/17/2008, 08:21 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Tests for phosphate don't show the phosphate that's bound up in living algae. A phosban reactor can help you; so can a fuge. but something has to eat the algae and poo it into the water so the fuge or reactor can uptake it. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/17/2008, 09:08 AM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	best way to do a fuge is to set up a sump with enough room to dedicate 1 chamber to a fuge. Or you can bulkhead a fuge to a sump. I set my skimmer on eggcrate above my sump (i have plenty of overhead room) so I could use the skimmer space for a fuge. There are hob fuges, but they're very small, and the one I tried just slid down the glass on its suction cups and was a total bust. Plus it blocked light reaching my corals. Same problem with weed in the tank: blocks light. i've seen fuges set on a shelf above the main tank, where the object was just to supply pods to the tank via a dripline; but to get the benefits of phosphate removal, it needs to be in-line with the water flow. Under your circumstances, I would recommend a phosban reactor (cheap, under 50.00) plumbed inline with your pump. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/17/2008, 09:18 AM	#8
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	While a refugium can be a good tool in controlling algae, I wouldnt rely on it to solve your problem. You've clearly got a nutrient problem, having measurable po4 confirms this. You're going to need to be very diligent with cleaning the tank to get rid of hair algae, particularly doing weekly water changes, siphoning detritus, and manually removing the algae. It may seem hopeless for a while, but after a couple months you should see it start to recede. The phosban and refugium will help, but it's not going to solve anything. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/17/2008, 08:18 AM	#2
doubleduece Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: virginia beach, VA Posts: 214	There are many factors that contribute to algae, and you should consider all of them in the fight against algae. First, would be to make sure all youre water parameters are in check, p04, nitrartes at 0, water temp not to high, are you using ro/di water to make up. Second could be do you have enough water moving in the tank, or a large enough clean up crew or diversity in the clean up crew, light cycle, and even how much are you feeding the tank. Do you have a sump or a fuge, if so are you running cheato or the likes, you should also run some ROWA or phosban, to help keep your phosban in check.. The last thing you could try would be to turn off the light for 24 to 48 hours, and not feed the tank. It wont hurt any of your inhabitants.. Give us somemore info on your setup

08/17/2008, 08:20 AM	#3
doubleduece Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: virginia beach, VA Posts: 214	After lookin at the pic again I can see that you have some snails, you can see there path or destruction on the glass. Keep your glass as clean as possible, it will force them to go else where.

08/17/2008, 08:32 AM	#5
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	I'm also planning on moving my 10 gallon into a 30 gallon tank. Are there any hang on regugiums you could recommend? Maybe something you've come across. I'm checking around online for some now.

08/17/2008, 08:54 AM	#6
kernyboy Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA Posts: 470	can i literally just drop chaeto in my tank ? or get a lil in tank refugium with some chaeto in it to eat up all the goodies before the bad algae does? is this the same principle as getting a sump?