problem algae

tero64 · 09/27/2012, 08:14 AM

ok, first thread ive put in a long time, but i could use some help guys. im finally trying to propperly maintain my tank, but i'm getting tired of fighting the hair algae. it isnt fast growing, but a slowly evolving neusance. My water perameters arent that bad;

phosphates: 0
KH: 179 ppm
calcium: around 520 (is this too high? cutting down doses of purple up)
ammonia: between 0 and 0.25
Nitrates: between 0 and 5

I'm aware that nitrates and ammonia should prefferably be at 0, and i know the slight rise is because i have a d/i unit and its not as efficient as an ro/di unit which im saving for. But are the perameters off enough to be causing the hair algae? once a week a clean the little bit thats on the glass and scrub the lr with a toothbrush in the water i take out from my water changes (10% a week).

Any way i can handle this without using a $40 mystery chemical and go the right way about it?

tero64 · 09/27/2012, 08:16 AM

oh and stats are:

75 gal drilled tank
20 gal sump
pro aquatic skimmer
3 t5's

swcc · 09/27/2012, 09:44 AM

to battle any algae you clean the tank...use ro/di for both top off water and salt mixing water.. you need to remove detritus, Keep the substrate clean(mix it around as well as siphon) and get a turkey baster to blow out the rocks of trapped detritus. Export of a build up of organics is the key.

tero64 · 09/27/2012, 10:36 AM

im planning on getting some kind of sand cleaner (gobies) for the crap in the sand, and i didnt know there was a way to siphon and clean sand. other than that i do use a turkey baster periodically to rid the small areas of lr from red slime. plenty of current but some spots seem imposible to get water flow. i kind of count on the hermits to help with the other organics

brandon429 · 09/27/2012, 12:19 PM

Tero you really need to consider reading the pico reef pest algae problem challenge thread up top right now in the nanos forum

tank cleaned in 4 days. I would also add that hermits contribute to organic loading, not reduce it

09/27/2012, 08:14 AM	#1
tero64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16	problem algae ok, first thread ive put in a long time, but i could use some help guys. im finally trying to propperly maintain my tank, but i'm getting tired of fighting the hair algae. it isnt fast growing, but a slowly evolving neusance. My water perameters arent that bad; phosphates: 0 KH: 179 ppm calcium: around 520 (is this too high? cutting down doses of purple up) ammonia: between 0 and 0.25 Nitrates: between 0 and 5 I'm aware that nitrates and ammonia should prefferably be at 0, and i know the slight rise is because i have a d/i unit and its not as efficient as an ro/di unit which im saving for. But are the perameters off enough to be causing the hair algae? once a week a clean the little bit thats on the glass and scrub the lr with a toothbrush in the water i take out from my water changes (10% a week). Any way i can handle this without using a $40 mystery chemical and go the right way about it?

09/27/2012, 08:16 AM	#2
tero64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16	oh and stats are: 75 gal drilled tank 20 gal sump pro aquatic skimmer 3 t5's

09/27/2012, 09:44 AM	#3
swcc Moved On Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 1,659	to battle any algae you clean the tank...use ro/di for both top off water and salt mixing water.. you need to remove detritus, Keep the substrate clean(mix it around as well as siphon) and get a turkey baster to blow out the rocks of trapped detritus. Export of a build up of organics is the key.

09/27/2012, 10:36 AM	#4
tero64 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 16	im planning on getting some kind of sand cleaner (gobies) for the crap in the sand, and i didnt know there was a way to siphon and clean sand. other than that i do use a turkey baster periodically to rid the small areas of lr from red slime. plenty of current but some spots seem imposible to get water flow. i kind of count on the hermits to help with the other organics

09/27/2012, 12:19 PM	#5
brandon429 Registered Member. Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,460	Tero you really need to consider reading the pico reef pest algae problem challenge thread up top right now in the nanos forum tank cleaned in 4 days. I would also add that hermits contribute to organic loading, not reduce it