Crazy Algae Growth

[MAC2]

tat2Z: To clarify: Because of the leeching from the rock, the hair algae was going to grow regardless. It took the phosphate reactor several months to catch up. If I did not have a cantalope sized brain coral that survived, I would have kept the lights off to expedite the process. What I noticed was that the hair algae did not spread, but continued to grow in the same places. I also started a refugium after this incident to help deal with this problem of extra nutrients that might get in the system-a back-up to the phosphate and carbon reactor.

 

[Danny555]

are you using tap or RO/DI water?

__________
Brad555

 

[Danny555]

what a nice working share with us...



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[N1Husker]

I had an emerald crab that would just mow down the gha, just like mowing the lawn. He would clean a rock bare. I have had two more since, and they didn't touch the stuff.

 

[Gary]

continued from the UAS thread.
I use RO/DI water. I have 2 bulbs turn on at 10am (very dim). They get to full power at 11am. The other 4 turn on 11am (dim) and reach full power at 12am. The bank of 4 starts dimming at 6pm and are off at 7pm. The bank of 2 starts dimming at 7pm and are off at 8pm. So, all the lights are on for 6 hours each day. They are on with various intensities for 10 hours each day.

A little history about the algae growth. I used to have algae growing in the overflow. It didn't bug me much so I left it alone until it got out of control. So, I made a cover to block the light. It all died in the overflow, but started to grow in the tanks. So, I guess I've had this problem for quite a while. I think that I said in another thread that the problem started when I started doing smaller water changes. I forgot about the overflow though... Maybe I have too much stuff in my tank.

 

[N1Husker]

If you have too much livestock in your tank, that might be your nitrate problem and the algae is feeding off of that. Just a thought.

 

[Gary]

Right now I have 11 fish and a cleaner shrimp. The are all 3" long or smaller.

 

[Gary]

Just checked phosphates and they are 0.

 

[tat2z_21]

Phosphates may read zero, but at the rate the plants and corals are taking them in you are only measuring free phosphates and nitrates.

 

[Gary]

That's true. I keep forgetting about that. I guess the next step is to get rid of a few fish. :-(

 

[ReefGeeker]

That is quite a bio load, if you don't mind me asking what is your stock and which would be on the trimming list?

 

[N1Husker]

What do you have in the way of fish? 11 doesn't sound like a big excess, unless they are really large. I don't know if it is true or not, but it seems like the herbivores poop more than carnivores, keep in mind, my own observations.

 

[pandora32]

11 fish that are 3" or smaller. Doesnt sound like a real large bio load. How big is the tank should be the question to find out if the load is to big or not.

 

[N1Husker]

I think he said that it was a 60 gallon. 11 fish would be right on the edge if they were 3" or less.

 

[pandora32]

Yup. I see it now. Says 60 in his signature. And im usually pretty good at reading the small print...haha

 

[Gary]

Yep, 60 gallons. I need to learn to say no or stop bringing my son with me to the fish store! Looks like I have 12 fish.

Orange Spot Goby
2X Clown
Pajama Cardinal
Banggai Cardinal
2X Dartfish
Blue assessor
Lawnmower Blenny
Blue Damsel
Watchman Goby
Neon Goby
Cleaner shrimp

I'm not sure what we'll get rid of. Every fish is my son's favorite fish. I could probably talk him into getting some small versions of the fish we have too. I'd like to get rid of the Cardinals and the Clowns.

Do you guys think that 8 is a decent number of fish for a 60 gallon? Do invertebrates add much to the bio-load?

I think I might see if I can add a 20 gallon fuge in the closet first.

 

[tat2z_21]

Honestly, there is nothing stating that you can not have that many fish in the tank if you are willing to up your maintenance practices, and upgrade your filtration. If you want to keep that many fish then you will have to do more water changes, and I would start off with bigger water changes at first and then move it back down to 20%. I tmight be a little harder to maintain with that many fish, but if it is what you want it can be done. I would also say that it depends on the size of your fish, none of them are really big, or will get really big. If you get a chance look up Dave Baxby and his tank. It is amazing.

 

[user 26995]

Its actually David Saxby and here is his tank.

David Saxby 2009 - YouTube

 

[Gary]

WOW! His tank is awesome!!!

Thinking about it a little more, there isn't room in the closet for a fuge. But, I could build a heated enclosure in the crawl space. As long as I don't need to mess with it daily, access isn't too bad. I like the number of fish that I have so more water and bio media should help.

 

[tat2z_21]

It might be a bit more then just that, the right balance of filtration and proper water changes. But the idea here is that it can be done. Not saying it would be easy, but it can be done.