Problems with tank, algae, livestock

tricketts · 09/02/2009, 10:07 PM

So I have had my tank for over 6 months now. In the last month everything in my tank looks like crap. I can't get rid of the bubble algae (red and green), my corals, zoes like pathetic and my anemone and xenia looks terrible. My mushrooms won't open all the way anymore. I have lots of red algae that keeps growing on the sand and now on my live rock I have a super dark green almost black algae growing. The crazy thing is that when I test my levels my PH is between 8.2 and 7.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates, and 0 nitrites. I do water changes once a week of about 10%. I had a red people eater that died and I took it out but it was hard to get it off the rock. My fish are acting fine though and so are my crabs, snails and shrimp.

Any suggestions what to do? The rock really looks gross.

badwrasse · 09/02/2009, 10:13 PM

have you tested for phosphates? what test kit are you using for nitrates? are you using RO/DI water (sorry I have to ask)

commonstranger · 09/02/2009, 10:13 PM

How much are feeding ? Probably wont to cut back some there. If you have a RO/DI Unit make sure you have TDS meter on it. You need to know how much junk your putting in your water. How long are you leaving your lights on ? I would run them no more than 6hrs if I was having an algae issue might even cut them back to 4-5hrs a day. Really need more info to give a better answer for you. Im sure others will chime in. Best of luck.

tricketts · 09/02/2009, 10:22 PM

I will cut the lights for now and I have reduced feeding as it is so help with the algae. I am wondering if it is because I was using distilled water for my wet/dry chamber and I changed it to purified water. Is there a difference in these waters?

tricketts · 09/02/2009, 10:25 PM

So I just looked up the difference of distilled and purified water and I am thinking this is what my problem is. So to fix this should I do a larger water change and then go back to the distilled water?

l0ngb0arder · 09/02/2009, 11:34 PM

Like others had said, try to use RO/DI water instead of distilled water or purified water. Don't do a larger water change if this in 14 gallon, just do your normal water change with RO/DI and give it time.

Roast · 09/02/2009, 11:45 PM

I don't have a problem yet with red/green algae, but I do with one of my Xenia (saw the OP has a Xenia). Just inserted him about 3 days ago. As of right now, all my levels are perfect. I just started putting in iodine suppliment drops after I read that when they stop pulsating...they probably need Iodine. However, after the initial "feeding" he fattened up and pulsated. This was yesterday, and now he isn't doing like he was. My zoanthid is doing great. I don't think he can open any more or he'll explode. I'm just confused cause I would have thought that the Xenia would have been the least of my worries. Let me know if I'm missing something I'd really appreciate it.

P.S. 3g tank

judgedread · 09/03/2009, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tricketts
So I have had my tank for over 6 months now. In the last month everything in my tank looks like crap. I can't get rid of the bubble algae (red and green), my corals, zoes like pathetic and my anemone and xenia looks terrible. My mushrooms won't open all the way anymore. I have lots of red algae that keeps growing on the sand and now on my live rock I have a super dark green almost black algae growing. The crazy thing is that when I test my levels my PH is between 8.2 and 7.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates, and 0 nitrites. I do water changes once a week of about 10%. I had a red people eater that died and I took it out but it was hard to get it off the rock. My fish are acting fine though and so are my crabs, snails and shrimp.

Any suggestions what to do? The rock really looks gross.

the reason yr nitrate is zero is the weed in yr tank is consuming it.

take yr live rock out and do 50%
water change and with stiff brush scrub rock in the water you take out.

same temp water goes in yr tank.

make 50% water changes every week.

make sure you have ample bio filtration.

lighting must be correct (not old bulbs) and good flow is important.

water parrameters must be correct and make sure the instruments you use are correct in readings they give you.

calibrate it all with NSW that is fresh and of a good source.

get a good cleaning crew,for maintanance.

09/02/2009, 10:07 PM	#1
tricketts Animal House Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queen Creek Posts: 232	Problems with tank, algae, livestock So I have had my tank for over 6 months now. In the last month everything in my tank looks like crap. I can't get rid of the bubble algae (red and green), my corals, zoes like pathetic and my anemone and xenia looks terrible. My mushrooms won't open all the way anymore. I have lots of red algae that keeps growing on the sand and now on my live rock I have a super dark green almost black algae growing. The crazy thing is that when I test my levels my PH is between 8.2 and 7.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrates, and 0 nitrites. I do water changes once a week of about 10%. I had a red people eater that died and I took it out but it was hard to get it off the rock. My fish are acting fine though and so are my crabs, snails and shrimp. Any suggestions what to do? The rock really looks gross. __________________ Totally Addicted........my family says I need Aquarium AA. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef Tank

09/02/2009, 10:13 PM	#2
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	have you tested for phosphates? what test kit are you using for nitrates? are you using RO/DI water (sorry I have to ask) __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

09/02/2009, 10:13 PM	#3
commonstranger Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 1,331	How much are feeding ? Probably wont to cut back some there. If you have a RO/DI Unit make sure you have TDS meter on it. You need to know how much junk your putting in your water. How long are you leaving your lights on ? I would run them no more than 6hrs if I was having an algae issue might even cut them back to 4-5hrs a day. Really need more info to give a better answer for you. Im sure others will chime in. Best of luck. __________________ My drug dog is smarter than your honor student. I'll keep my Guns,Money and Freedom. You can keep the "Change". Current Tank Info: 125 tank and 125 sump

09/02/2009, 10:22 PM	#4
tricketts Animal House Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queen Creek Posts: 232	I will cut the lights for now and I have reduced feeding as it is so help with the algae. I am wondering if it is because I was using distilled water for my wet/dry chamber and I changed it to purified water. Is there a difference in these waters? __________________ Totally Addicted........my family says I need Aquarium AA. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef Tank

09/02/2009, 10:25 PM	#5
tricketts Animal House Join Date: May 2009 Location: Queen Creek Posts: 232	So I just looked up the difference of distilled and purified water and I am thinking this is what my problem is. So to fix this should I do a larger water change and then go back to the distilled water? __________________ Totally Addicted........my family says I need Aquarium AA. Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef Tank

09/02/2009, 11:34 PM	#6
l0ngb0arder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 49	Like others had said, try to use RO/DI water instead of distilled water or purified water. Don't do a larger water change if this in 14 gallon, just do your normal water change with RO/DI and give it time.

09/02/2009, 11:45 PM	#7
Roast Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 23	I don't have a problem yet with red/green algae, but I do with one of my Xenia (saw the OP has a Xenia). Just inserted him about 3 days ago. As of right now, all my levels are perfect. I just started putting in iodine suppliment drops after I read that when they stop pulsating...they probably need Iodine. However, after the initial "feeding" he fattened up and pulsated. This was yesterday, and now he isn't doing like he was. My zoanthid is doing great. I don't think he can open any more or he'll explode. I'm just confused cause I would have thought that the Xenia would have been the least of my worries. Let me know if I'm missing something I'd really appreciate it. P.S. 3g tank