alge problem?

[xxchris060]

What kind of alge is this and what do you reccomend i do about it.

 

[xxchris060]

2

 

[richard rendos]

I think there is a combo of algaes here. Looks like some diatoms, cyanobacteria, and hair algae. Check your phosphates/nitrates/pH/salinity. If you don't use RO or RO/DI water, I would consider doing it. Those all grow from high nutrients in the water. Start with a few small water changes and manually pulling the big stuff out. Use RO water when you do this...possibly use a phosphate sponge. How long has the tank been set up and what filtration/lighting do you have?

 

[xxchris060]

its been setup for about 5yrs and this is the worse its every been. I recently lost a fish and could not find the body. I think he decomposed under a rock. I already use di water. My water changes are 10 gal every two weeks. It a 55gal tank. I have a skimmer with a wet dry. I also use phosguard. My water parameters seem to be fine.

 

[xxchris060]

I am due for my two week test in the morn. I will post the new results up. Maybe that will give a little more direction.

 

[xxchris060]

I test my water today and this was my results:
For 5/31/03:
Temperature: 84
Calcium: 400
Alkalinity: 2.5
Salinity: 1.027
Ammonia: 0
pH: 8.1
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phos: .2
Right after the test I changed 10 gallons of water.
Last month results:
For 4/28/03:
Temperature: 78
Calcium: 450
Alkalinity: 2.5
Salinity: 1.027
Ammonia: 0
pH: 8.2
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 2.0
Phos: .5

 

[sammystingray]

Seems to be all on top of the rocks?? must like the lights....are they old? How's the water movement?

 

[xxchris060]

I just replaced the bulbs about 6mo ago. I also added on 96 watt atinic pc. the other two are 96wat 50-50. Do you think its the new light i added.

 

[xxchris060]

as far as current i have four maxi jet 900 and one rio 2500 in the sump.

 

[sammystingray]

When was the new light added? Did it start then?

 

[xxchris060]

well the light was added about two months ago. The problem has gotten really bad in the last two weeks. I did find my fish when i was doing my water change. He was in my sump I have no idea how he got there??????????

 

[xxchris060]

does anyone have some opinion on what i should do

 

[xxchris060]

nobody?? I put in 20 turbo snails today.

 

[xxchris060]

what type of crab would eat this. Right now i have about 5 emarld crabs and 10-15 blue leg hermits.

 

[timo]

And you're sure it's not cyano? Nothing eats that. You seem to have a bunch of crabs now, but not an army.

 

[xxchris060]

Ok well i am going to remove most of it by hand. If anyone has anything to suggest to keep it from coming back please let me know.

 

[beth]

Why is the temp so high now? From 78 to 84 in a mo. Higher temp may be stimulating the sudden growth. Do you have fans to cool things down? Water circulation?

 

[cmack]

My LMB only eats short Hair algae, I had to pull most of mine off by hand. Also, I haven't found anything that will touch Cyano...
Another thought, How is your skimmer working?
I neglected to take a close look at the "Mechanical" functioning of mine and just kept cleaning it as regular maintenance. Turns out that the air intake line was partially clogged, and resuted in a huge algae bloom. Just something to keep an eye on...

 

[xxchris060]

i have fans beth. The day that the temp was at 84 was abnormal. My ac was turned up to high and when i came home from work i kicked it down. That is the reson for the temp. as far as cirulation i have 4 maxi jet 900's and one rio 2500 in the sump.

 

[xxchris060]

I just removed alot of it and it looks better but not where i would like it.. As far as my skimmer it is working pretty good. It not taking out alot. But it never really has.