Algae Madness

[fish crazy]

Originally Posted by mcbdz
you want your gph(gallons per hour) to be 10-15x's your tank size. More is better. The more flow the better your water chemistry will be and, it helps keep things from settling also. I would go try and find out what your stuff is rated for. Do you still have the boxes? it should be on there, or look for them when you go to the LFS and get a general idea. My vote goes for you needin' some more gph.

New tanks go through these algea outbreaks and learning how to diagnose and treat them is part of the learning experience. Have fun.

To suction it out either the turkey baster or when you syphen water out for your water change, take the bell part off your syphon hose and use the end to suck stuff out with the water.

i will try the turkey baster

 

[fish crazy]

ok i found out it has 266 gph, do you think i should upgrade, and what clean up crew should i get?

 

[fish crazy]

bump

 

[cprdnick]

I would get about 6 mexican turbo snails, 5 hermits, and probably a second PH the same size as the one you have in there already.

 

[fish crazy]

Originally Posted by cprdnick
I would get about 6 mexican turbo snails, 5 hermits, and probably a second PH the same size as the one you have in there already.
ok thanks

 

[fish crazy]

hey guys i just tested for the PO4 (phosphate) and it look like if its between 0.25 and 1.0 and now am starting to get the green algae again on the top ahh am going algae crazy!

 

[cprdnick]

this is what I did, go to your LFS, buy a phosphate sponge. Hang that in front of a PH until you're PO4 tests 0, wait a day, then toss it in the trash.

 

[fish crazy]

Originally Posted by cprdnick
this is what I did, go to your LFS, buy a phosphate sponge. Hang that in front of a PH until you're PO4 tests 0, wait a day, then toss it in the trash.
ok and once it hits 0 this should take away all my algae problems right?

 

[cprdnick]

well, you're still going to have to do your water change, and you need to determine the source of your algae problem. Before you put the sponge in, clean your rock and substrate. Do your water change. Shorten the amount of time your lights are on until your PO4 goes to 0. Feed once a day, or smaller portions twice a day (depends on your habits). Chances are, if you have been using RO/DI water, then your source is coming from a mix of your feeding habits and the direct sunlight you were letting the tank have, or you're lighting over the tank. If your bulbs are worn, you may not be getting the spectrum you're looking for over this tank. I generally change my bulbs every year regardless of wether they're working or not.

 

[fish crazy]

Originally Posted by cprdnick
well, you're still going to have to do your water change, and you need to determine the source of your algae problem. Before you put the sponge in, clean your rock and substrate. Do your water change. Shorten the amount of time your lights are on until your PO4 goes to 0. Feed once a day, or smaller portions twice a day (depends on your habits). Chances are, if you have been using RO/DI water, then your source is coming from a mix of your feeding habits and the direct sunlight you were letting the tank have, or you're lighting over the tank. If your bulbs are worn, you may not be getting the spectrum you're looking for over this tank. I generally change my bulbs every year regardless of wether they're working or not.
ok am going to do another water change and let you know whats going on thanks

 

[fish crazy]

here are some recent pics i am noticing a type of black algae is this good, and my royal gramma just died, and i noticed that i only have 2 or 1 crabs left out of 5 and 0 out of 5 snails. so now i only have 2 crabs one sand sifter one clown fish and alot of algae. am scarred that my clown might die

 

[fish crazy]

here is some like dirt and stuff i found do you think a clean up crew would eat all this?

and i see this type of branches in the back of my tank not the best pic but you think an emrald crab would do the job?

 

[nanoreef]

you need more water movement (more PH S). More water change with RO water and things should clear up

 

[fish crazy]

ok i went to buy a better gph but the lfs didnt have any so am waiting. any thing on the black algae??