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Unread 04/23/2014, 06:28 PM   #1
bkb7897
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algae problems, need help!

I am new to the salt water world! I got a 55 gal pre-owned setup, it has a filter system, no sump or protein skimmer! I have about 60# of live rock and a rotating power head. When I got the take setup at my house I had an ammonia and nitrate problem, I got the ammonia solved pretty quick and have been battling the nitrate! over the last few weeks an algae problem has started(first green and now some red too) I have gotten my nitrate down to about 60ppm, with water changes. I cleaned the entire tank filter and all on sunday and removed all visible algae and its already back today(wednsday) any help would be great ! I also have my heater turned all the way down and my water temp is 76-78 degrees


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Unread 04/23/2014, 06:46 PM   #2
Darth Polymnus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkb7897 View Post
I am new to the salt water world! I got a 55 gal pre-owned setup, it has a filter system, no sump or protein skimmer! I have about 60# of live rock and a rotating power head. When I got the take setup at my house I had an ammonia and nitrate problem, I got the ammonia solved pretty quick and have been battling the nitrate! over the last few weeks an algae problem has started(first green and now some red too) I have gotten my nitrate down to about 60ppm, with water changes. I cleaned the entire tank filter and all on sunday and removed all visible algae and its already back today(wednsday) any help would be great ! I also have my heater turned all the way down and my water temp is 76-78 degrees
Ok, how long has the tank been set up? Are you using RODI water? What's your lighting schedule? What are your phosphates testing at?


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Unread 04/23/2014, 07:42 PM   #3
bkb7897
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tank has been set up about 2 months, I don't know what RODI water is, I have been using distilled water ( from refill station at walmart) My test kit doesn't do phosphates, it does PH,ammonia,nitrite and nitrate. I have a 75 watt LED light setup and I turn it on about 7am and turn on moon light at dark and turn all of them off about 9pm


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Unread 04/23/2014, 08:30 PM   #4
Darth Polymnus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkb7897 View Post
tank has been set up about 2 months, I don't know what RODI water is, I have been using distilled water ( from refill station at walmart) My test kit doesn't do phosphates, it does PH,ammonia,nitrite and nitrate. I have a 75 watt LED light setup and I turn it on about 7am and turn on moon light at dark and turn all of them off about 9pm
2 months is still fairly new, so you're going to have various algae outbreaks until the tank stabilizes. If your phosphate level is elevated, that could explain the out of control algae issues. Get a PO4 (phosphate) tester. Very important to test for that. RODI Is reverse osmosis deionized water. It's water with all impurities taken out. You never want to put tap water in your tank, even if you use a dechlorinator. Nitrate at 60 is high, even at 2 months cycled. Do 30% water changes a week till that is down to around 10ppm.


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Current Tank Info: 90 gallon Reef
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Unread 04/23/2014, 08:39 PM   #5
bkb7897
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ok thanks, the tank itself has been setup for 2 years, but I just got it 2 months ago! where do I get the RODI water? my nitrate was about 120 and I have done about a 45% water change each week for the past 2 weeks to get it down to about 60


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Unread 04/23/2014, 10:15 PM   #6
Crooked Reef
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Either buy a ro/di unit yourself or check with a local fish store to see if they sell it. It is perferable to have your own unit for various reasons.


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Unread 04/23/2014, 11:13 PM   #7
m0nkie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkb7897 View Post
ok thanks, the tank itself has been setup for 2 years, but I just got it 2 months ago! where do I get the RODI water? my nitrate was about 120 and I have done about a 45% water change each week for the past 2 weeks to get it down to about 60
BRS sells Ro/di units... or any other online vendor


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Unread 04/24/2014, 08:41 PM   #8
bkb7897
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m0nkie, what is BRS? sorry im a newby


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Unread 04/24/2014, 08:44 PM   #9
FNG530
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m0nkie, what is BRS? sorry im a newby
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/


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