bad bulbs or something else?

[gdown]

I have 2 65 watt pc's on my 20 gal reef tank with no covers over the tank. I had this setup for 6 months with no problems. That is until recently. I've been having a brown slime aglae problem for weeks now. Lights go on and within two hours the aglae start showing up on my DSB. All water tests are normal(as they always been)Could the bulbs be bad? If so did the salt creep from the open top be the cause? Has anyone had this problem before? any suggestions?

 

[buzz]

Have you checked your phosphate levels? Nitrate?

 

[bang guy]

I would guess Cyanobacter. Usually this is caused from overfeeding or insufficient nutrient export.

 

[gdown]

Buzz
just rechecked phosphate and nitrate levels both at 0

 

[gdown]

bang guy
I use Combisan full spectrum marine supplement for trace elements and micronutrients. Also I tried red slime remover, it didnt work.

 

[bang guy]

"...micronutrients..."
Try not adding this for a couple weeks and see if there's a difference.

 

[mlm]

How much of the Combisan are you using? and what size is your tank? I have always used this in my tank without any algea problems.

 

[gdown]

mlm
I started out using 1 drop per gallon (20) after about 6 weeks I increased to 2 drops per

 

[gdown]

bang guy
i could decrease the dosage and see if that works but what about my pc being bad? Could they be the cause since the aglae growth is brought on when the lights are on for a few hours? or am I barking up the wrong tree with that

 

[bang guy]

The reason I think it's Cyano is because you said it grows when the lights are on. Cyano is photosynthetic. It's a symptom of excessing nutrients IMO and not of bad bulbs.

 

[gdown]

should i treat with red slime remover or just stop the combisan or both?

 

[gdown]

also does a refugium help with this problem since I was planning to add one this weekend anyway?

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by gdown
also does a refugium help with this problem since I was planning to add one this weekend anyway?
Absolutely. This is a very good long term solution. It will take quite a while for your refugium to get established to the point where its helping though. In the meantime I suggest you nearly starve your tank until the slime goes away. I would avoid any algae removing products. It's my opinion that these produces do more harm than good. If the Cyano is killed then there's nothing left to consume the excess nutrients and then you may really have a problem. Cyano is unsightly but harmless at low levels. If it begins to completely cover large areas then its a problem and can be dealt with through siphoning it out.

 

[gdown]

thanks bang guy
I'll stop the combisan, setup the refugium and cut down on the lighting time hopefully these things together will solve this problem

 

[gdown]

thanks bang guy
I'll stop the combisan, setup the refugium and cut down on the lighting time hopefully these things together will solve this problem

 

[jonthefb]

what type of freshwater are you using and have you tested it for phosphates/nitrates? were teh bulbs brand new when you purchased them or did you buy them used? how many fish/how often are you feeding? it sounds liek either red slime or diatoms. try picking up a florida fighting conch, some nassarious snails and cerith snails to help combat the problem, but definately find out where the excess organics are from!
good luck
jon

 

[gdown]

jonthefb
I tested both and both were 0, I also just received reef package from this site to help with the problem. It's just seems like I'm running out of ideas.

 

[jonthefb]

wow, well at least your beefing up your cleanup crew,and thats a good thing. i would reccommend running a poly filter and maybe doign several large water changes over the course of the next few weeks, adn definately discontinue the use of the combisan as guy suggested, that way youll be able to stop adding nutrients and severely deplete whats left via water changes. keep us posted and goo dluck!
jon