1229goad
New Reefer
I was gone for a week, and when i came back all my rocks and everything are covered with this brown harry like alge. can anyone tell me how to get rid of it. also all my polys look like there dieing.
Brown harry alge
- Thread starter 1229goad
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First thing I'd do is a massive water change, using SW mixed from RO/DI water. Test your old water for Nitrates, and Phosphates. Also test for Alk, Ca and Mg. Post results.
What type of lighting do you have and how old are your bulbs?
What's your flow like? How much? Random?
What type of skimmer do you have?
What size is your tank and what life is in it? List number of each fish please.
Cut WAY back on feedings!!
I'd guess that you have high numbers in phosphates and nitrates. Either might not show up much in tests, because they're being absorbed by the algae.
Manually remove as much as you can.
Skim wet
What type of lighting do you have and how old are your bulbs?
What's your flow like? How much? Random?
What type of skimmer do you have?
What size is your tank and what life is in it? List number of each fish please.
Cut WAY back on feedings!!
I'd guess that you have high numbers in phosphates and nitrates. Either might not show up much in tests, because they're being absorbed by the algae.
Manually remove as much as you can.
Skim wet
Myteemouse
NOTHING
Well said!!
1229goad
New Reefer
OK well how do i test for phosphates, Ca, and Mg? How much water should i change, the tank is 75gal
Here is what i tested:
PH: 8.6-8.8
ALK - 0-1.6
NO2 - 0 p.p.m.
NO3 - 5 p.p.m.
NH3/NH4 - .25 p.p.m.
I have 2 65w Blue 6500 Bulbs and 2 10k Bulbs, Lights are 4 months old
Flow is 400gph pump on sump. and 3 power heads in tank each is 120 gph
Skimmer is crapy, SeaClone but is Modifyed. Has good Skimate in cup.
75gal tank. has 75lbs of LR, 3 Clowns, 1 Half Black Angel, 1 Spanish Hogfish, 1 Banded Goby, 1 Reef Lobster. 1 RBTA, 1 LTA
Lots of Mushrooms, Xeina, Kyena Trees, Polyps.
Thanks
Here is what i tested:
PH: 8.6-8.8
ALK - 0-1.6
NO2 - 0 p.p.m.
NO3 - 5 p.p.m.
NH3/NH4 - .25 p.p.m.
I have 2 65w Blue 6500 Bulbs and 2 10k Bulbs, Lights are 4 months old
Flow is 400gph pump on sump. and 3 power heads in tank each is 120 gph
Skimmer is crapy, SeaClone but is Modifyed. Has good Skimate in cup.
75gal tank. has 75lbs of LR, 3 Clowns, 1 Half Black Angel, 1 Spanish Hogfish, 1 Banded Goby, 1 Reef Lobster. 1 RBTA, 1 LTA
Lots of Mushrooms, Xeina, Kyena Trees, Polyps.
Thanks
Agree with all except for the bulb age question. Aging bulbs do not contribute to nuisance algae growth.
Don, you don't think deteriorating light quality could contribute to algae growth? As the bulbs age, they start putting out different light spectrums. Some light spectrums are better for algae growth than others.
1229goad, from your test results, I'm assuming you're using an all in one test kit, sometimes called Master Kits, or test strips. These aren't very accurate at all, and usually don't give results in very meaningful numbers. For instance, pH 8.3-8.6. Which is it? With pH, that's a pretty large difference actually. Alk. 0-1.6. Which is it? Is this measured in Meq/l or dKH? This is what I mean about the all in one kits or test strips.
You need to test for:
pH
phosphates
nitrates
Calcium
Alkalinity in either Meq/l or dKH
Magnesium
Sg
To test for those things, you'll need to purchase test kits for those things. I'd recommend either Salifert or Elos. They're a bit more expensive, but much more accurate than the "all in one" kits.
Flow from sump really shouldn't be used in calculating flow. With your powerheads, you only have 360 gph of flow. You should have a bare minimum of 750 gph of flow in a 75 gallon.
As for water change, since you're having a noticable problem with your corals, I'd suggest doing as large of a WC as you're comfortable with. 20-50% would be just fine. If you don't have an RO/DI unit, I'd suggest investing in one soon.
Something I forgot to mention first. I'd also run carbon, either through a canister filter, HOB filter or even a filter sock in your sump. Some skimmers even have an area where you can put carbon.
1229goad, from your test results, I'm assuming you're using an all in one test kit, sometimes called Master Kits, or test strips. These aren't very accurate at all, and usually don't give results in very meaningful numbers. For instance, pH 8.3-8.6. Which is it? With pH, that's a pretty large difference actually. Alk. 0-1.6. Which is it? Is this measured in Meq/l or dKH? This is what I mean about the all in one kits or test strips.
You need to test for:
pH
phosphates
nitrates
Calcium
Alkalinity in either Meq/l or dKH
Magnesium
Sg
To test for those things, you'll need to purchase test kits for those things. I'd recommend either Salifert or Elos. They're a bit more expensive, but much more accurate than the "all in one" kits.
Flow from sump really shouldn't be used in calculating flow. With your powerheads, you only have 360 gph of flow. You should have a bare minimum of 750 gph of flow in a 75 gallon.
As for water change, since you're having a noticable problem with your corals, I'd suggest doing as large of a WC as you're comfortable with. 20-50% would be just fine. If you don't have an RO/DI unit, I'd suggest investing in one soon.
Something I forgot to mention first. I'd also run carbon, either through a canister filter, HOB filter or even a filter sock in your sump. Some skimmers even have an area where you can put carbon.
1229goad
New Reefer
The test kit i have is a Red Sea kit, Has all the little bottles but doesnt have very accuate answers. Also have a Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit and i get the same results
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No matter what the units, your alkalinity seems low. And your pH seems quite high. Agree with the recommendation that you buy better test kits.
As a bulb ages, the intensity decreases. At all wavelengths. The apparent shift in spectrum is due to some wavelengths decreasing in intensity faster than others. But no wavelengths, whether algae-promoting or not, increase in intensity. So old bulbs result in slower growth of all photosynthetic plants and animals.
As a bulb ages, the intensity decreases. At all wavelengths. The apparent shift in spectrum is due to some wavelengths decreasing in intensity faster than others. But no wavelengths, whether algae-promoting or not, increase in intensity. So old bulbs result in slower growth of all photosynthetic plants and animals.
Don, ahhh I understand. I would agree that your pH does seem quite high...in fact, I highly doubt it's near that high actually. Alk is also extremely low, although, if I remember correctly, the Red Sea test kits don't measure in meq/l OR dKH, but in some other form all their own.
Until you're able to get accurate results for all mentioned above, I'd just do a quite large water change and get some form of carbon filtration.
Until you're able to get accurate results for all mentioned above, I'd just do a quite large water change and get some form of carbon filtration.
1229goad
New Reefer
Ok well i dont have the money right now to buy all of the test i need. if someone lives in the marysville area and would be able to bring your test kit over and help me that would be great. im going to do a water change soon. i just need to get some more salt and ro/di water. i will also get some carbon for my sump. Thanks everyone.
Take some water to a reputable LFS and have it tested. Better than nothing until you're able to purchase better test kits. I understand what you're saying and they aren't really cheap...lol. But, they are more accurate, which pays for itself quickly!!
