Algae Problem

Icewing726 · 11/23/2019, 12:32 PM

Hi guys, so for the past months I've been battling algae that has been growing out of control ever since I got these kessil lights. I got the 360s to supplement my current usa lighting and the algae absolutely exploded.

After it exploded I started cleaning and found several issues in my tank that I engaged and fixed over the last half year. I found out that my return line was all but clogged, nitrates were way up there, and some other items that were less likely to be the cause of my issue.

Long story short, I fixed the mechanics, got water quality to the 8.4 ph, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 4-6 nitrate, and put phosphate absorbing media in several times to pull any residual in the water out.

My problem is that its still growing, all be it much much slower. Thoughts?

Krchfam · 11/23/2019, 12:35 PM

What kind of algae? Hair? Slime?

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Icewing726 · 11/23/2019, 02:49 PM

Was slime on hair, now its just hair.

Uncle99 · 11/23/2019, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icewing726

Was slime on hair, now its just hair.

GHA requires two things to survive, light and nutrients.

High phosphates can use up media within hours.

In months, How long has it been after initial cycle?
What is your phosphate reading?
What is your lighting schedule?

Guygettnby · 11/23/2019, 08:02 PM

How old is the tank? Bio load? Filtration? What kind of CUC do you have in there? Light schedule?

Need a bit more specifics to really look at your issues and possibly why it's happening. GHA can be a real pain to get rid of, but your test could useless at this point. Depending how much GHA you have going on in the tank.

monkeysee1 · 11/23/2019, 08:58 PM

......just curious....is your tank in a room on the side of your house that is South facing, where the sun hits the hardest through a window (afternoon sun), by any chance??? Does it hit your tank smack through the glass?? That in combination with those Kessil LEDs could be conspiring together in this GHA bloom you have??

Krchfam · 11/23/2019, 09:35 PM

Remember, even if your phosphate are testing good, that doesn’t mean it’s not present, it’s just feeding the algae. Just got rid of mine, stepped up the water changes and brought in about 30 hermits who keep whatever tries to come come back gone. Also got more Chaeto in my sump to compete with it.

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11/23/2019, 12:32 PM	#1
Icewing726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 248	Algae Problem Hi guys, so for the past months I've been battling algae that has been growing out of control ever since I got these kessil lights. I got the 360s to supplement my current usa lighting and the algae absolutely exploded. After it exploded I started cleaning and found several issues in my tank that I engaged and fixed over the last half year. I found out that my return line was all but clogged, nitrates were way up there, and some other items that were less likely to be the cause of my issue. Long story short, I fixed the mechanics, got water quality to the 8.4 ph, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 4-6 nitrate, and put phosphate absorbing media in several times to pull any residual in the water out. My problem is that its still growing, all be it much much slower. Thoughts?

11/23/2019, 08:58 PM	#6
monkeysee1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: MERRIMACK NH Posts: 423	......just curious....is your tank in a room on the side of your house that is South facing, where the sun hits the hardest through a window (afternoon sun), by any chance??? Does it hit your tank smack through the glass?? That in combination with those Kessil LEDs could be conspiring together in this GHA bloom you have?? __________________ Your "fair share" is not in my wallet; it's in my fish tank!! Current tank info: 90 Gallon saltwater 10 fish with a few inverts; NO CORALS! Tried to go reef; didn't work out so hot; FOWLR's for me! Last edited by monkeysee1; 11/23/2019 at 09:09 PM.

11/23/2019, 12:35 PM	#2
Krchfam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 92	What kind of algae? Hair? Slime? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/23/2019, 02:49 PM	#3
Icewing726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 248	Was slime on hair, now its just hair.

11/23/2019, 08:02 PM	#5
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	How old is the tank? Bio load? Filtration? What kind of CUC do you have in there? Light schedule? Need a bit more specifics to really look at your issues and possibly why it's happening. GHA can be a real pain to get rid of, but your test could useless at this point. Depending how much GHA you have going on in the tank.

11/23/2019, 09:35 PM	#7
Krchfam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 92	Remember, even if your phosphate are testing good, that doesn’t mean it’s not present, it’s just feeding the algae. Just got rid of mine, stepped up the water changes and brought in about 30 hermits who keep whatever tries to come come back gone. Also got more Chaeto in my sump to compete with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk