Algea

saltlick

New Member
I have been reading the posts on this BB for quite some time and wanted to say hello!
I do have a question and would appreciate your advice. I have noticed posts on red algea, green, brown etc. I have a very fast growing algea on my substrate and cannot seem to get rid of it. With the 5500K bulb it looks maroon color, and with the 12000K bulb it looks brown. I syphon it out and it seems to grow back the very next day. I do have a crushed coral bed mixed with argonite sand. Ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, are all 0. Phosphates are 0 to .1 ppm. Calcium at 450. I use RO water and keep my tank very clean.
This is a tank that has been set up for about 4 yrs now, and I have not had this problem before. I recently bought some new stuff here at SWF and was wodering if this algea or diatom bloom could have hitchiked with these critters. :confused:
 

tacks

Member
Although my tank has been set up for only 5 months, I will be watching this post closely as I am going through the same thing... This green stuff is driving me nuuuuuuuuutttttttssssss....
 

burnnspy

Active Member
I believe you are experiencing nitrate leeching from the CC gravel. The red algae will mask the true nitrate reading if it is the case.
How much(in inches) of gravel do you have? Is a plenum installed in the system?
When was the last time you changed bulbs? A color shift from an old light can cause it also.
BurnNSpy
 

saltlick

New Member
I have about 2-3 inches of CC and argonite mix. The MH bulbs I have are only about a month old - one 5500K and one 12000K - 175 watt each in a 55 gal. tank.
 
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