Algae Problem in my 10 gallon nano reef tank.

[aquariumkeeper2]

I have a major algae problem in my 10 gallon nano reef tank thats been up for just about six weeks. The algae is red and it kinds looks hairy and slimy looking. Its all over my live rock, sandbed, pump and everything else. What is the best creature or chemical to get rid of it. I originally got the live rock for free from someone else who had another tank and there was just a little bit of red algae on the rocks. Can I take out the rocks, remove the algae with an old tooth brush that i have for cleaning aquariums and or can i remove it with my hands????????please help.

[scuba guy ron]

Due to the age of your tank it sounds like you are completing the cycling process. Whenever you add things like sand and liverock into a tank that size you will probably create a mini to large cycle everytime depending on how much you add. This being said it is a natural occurance.



The apperance of algae suggests that you have excess nutrients in your tank ie. nitrates and phosphates. Are you only using ro/di water in your salt mix as well as your top offs?

Are you running an efficient skimmer to remove organics?


have you been testing your water perams so you know where in your tanks cycle you are?

[shifty51008]

my guess is canyo bacteria. the best way to memove it is by lowering your phosphates, nitrates, increase water flow, and check to make sure your bulbs are not to old.

you can remove it with a syphon but it will come back if you don't fix the source of the problem.

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by scuba guy ron

Due to the age of your tank it sounds like you are completing the cycling process. Whenever you add things like sand and liverock into a tank that size you will probably create a mini to large cycle everytime depending on how much you add. This being said it is a natural occurance.



The apperance of algae suggests that you have excess nutrients in your tank ie. nitrates and phosphates. Are you only using ro/di water in your salt mix as well as your top offs?

Are you running an efficient skimmer to remove organics?


have you been testing your water perams so you know where in your tanks cycle you are?

I dont have an ro/di unit, I use water that has been properly mixed with water conditioner and salt. I have a good working seaclone100 protein skimmer. My tank finished cycleing a week and a half ago. everything as far as the parameters are good. any suggestions on how to remove the algae and keep it away?

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by shifty51008

my guess is canyo bacteria. the best way to memove it is by lowering your phosphates, nitrates, increase water flow, and check to make sure your bulbs are not to old.

you can remove it with a syphon but it will come back if you don't fix the source of the problem.

What is the best way to lower phosphates and what is canyo bacteria???

[scuba guy ron]

water conditioner will not remove phosphates from water. You are testing good because the algae is taking it up as fast as it is produced. You need to use ro/di water or your problem will remain no matter how much algae you remove.

[scuba guy ron]

everything you need to know on the topic can be found here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by scuba guy ron

everything you need to know on the topic can be found here:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

Thanks. The information really helped. Would you happen to know how much an ro/di unit would cost???

[footballdude2k3]

they usually run about 150 for a decent one, or you can find an LFS and buy theirs for $.50 a gallon

[footballdude2k3]

since you seem really new, try to find a local club, somebody will prolly have an old unit that they will sell and give you a good price.

[aquariumkeeper2]

[QUOTE=footballdude2k3;17551425]they usually run about 150 for a decent one, or you can find an LFS and buy theirs for $.50 a gallon[/QUOTE

Is that the same price for saltwater water as well???

[footballdude2k3]

usually premixed salt water is double, really not worth it in the long run

[scuba guy ron]

be careful buying from a lfs. you never know how often they change their filters. you can only be sure if you make the water yourself.

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by scuba guy ron

be careful buying from a lfs. you never know how often they change their filters. you can only be sure if you make the water yourself.

yeah I make my saltwater from purified dechlorinated tap water and instant ocean sea salt with amquel water conditioner.

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

since you seem really new, try to find a local club, somebody will prolly have an old unit that they will sell and give you a good price.

I am pretty new. my 10 gallon nano reef is like only 7 weeks old.

[footballdude2k3]

Originally Posted by aquariumkeeper2

I am pretty new. my 10 gallon nano reef is like only 7 weeks old.

have you found a local club yet?

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

have you found a local club yet?

No, Where I live there isn't too much to do. We dont have anything like clubs or nothing like that. Me and my friends pretty much just share information about our aquariums and we try to hang out and talk about making bigger and better aquariums or getting different types of fish we normally don't keep. Thats the closest thing we have around here to a club.

[aquariumkeeper2]

Originally Posted by footballdude2k3

have you found a local club yet?

I managed to get a free protein skimmer and live rock from craigslist. I wonder if i could get an ro/di unit too?

[jeff@zina.com]

You can find anything on Craigslist!

You can also check your local grocery store. Many of them have water purifiers that are RO/DI units. Locally, 5 gallons is $1.50 and they put the date of the last inspection on the machine.

There are RO/DI units available from many of the sponsors here, in the $100-150 range. Though for a nano, you'd have to buy 500 gallons from the grocery store machine to pay for it. Payback in something like 91 years or so...

Jeff

[footballdude2k3]

as far as finding an RO system, it shouldnt be too bad, in mass i would think that there are a lot of places that are not too far apart. it would be repaid faster if/when you upgraded, i started with a 20, less than 3 months and i went to a 40, about 2 months later and i want a 10 to be a stand alone refug.

[evolutionracr]

If you have a water store around you that would be your best bet, they are more apt to change their filters. I had terrible luck with water from my local grocery store unit, my well water tested better than theirs. You could also run a phosphate sponge or gfo media in a filter bag. That will help lower the phosphate that has already been introduced into your tank and in turn help with the algea.