diatoms/brown algae/hair algae

[rickybutler]

i have recently been getting some hair algae on my back wall and some of my rocks and other brown algae all over the rest of my rocks and on my sand bed as well as diatoms which appearing as the day goes on but have been getting worse everyday this week. It gets better every water change but then comes back with a vengence during the week. I usually feed once every two days to my 14g biocube (2 clowns, 1 firefish, 1 fire shrimp, 1 orange sea star, 1 branching hammer, 1 green shroom, 10 blue-legged hermits, 7 snails) and the this problem either doesnt show up or shows up at the end of the week before the water change. This week i cleaned up my tank in the beginning to get the algae off the wall, glass and rocks and then changed 3 gals. It came back very quickly and for the last 4 days I havent feed my tank and am still giving 8 hrs of light day. I also have fuge in the second chamber with some LR and chaeto that is hit with a 10W light once the DT lights go off. How can I fix this problem I know its a lot but I need help!!! Also I think I need a sad shifter any suggestions for my 14g? Can I just add more macro algae to the DT to stop this!!! Thanks for all your help guys its really VERY apperciated!!!

 

[rlablan]

How long has you tank been set up, and also, what kind of water are you using?
Is it tap water, and Ro DI water?
Another thing, what type of food do you feed, and how much are you feeding every 2 days?
Also, how old are your bulbs?
The answers to these questions will help everyone to narrow down the problem for you, and give you a better answer.
Sorry to hear about your troubles, we'll get you fixed up.

 

[rickybutler]

My tank is a little over 3 months old right now. I use tap water but use slim coat before I put it in my tank and let it sit with the pump on for an hour or so after the salt has been diluted. I have been feeding myosis shrimp, I hand feed my fire shrimp who perches on my hand and eats a little pinch of the shrimp, and then I scape little pieces off and throw em into the tank less then half a small spoonful i really dont think i over feed. My bulbs are 3 months and the biocube stock lighting. Thanks again for your interest and help i really appreciate it since i am new to the hobby!

 

[rlablan]

TAP WATER!!! OH NO!!

I can tell you that that has ALOT to do with your problem.
Tap water is full of silicates and other things that feed hair algae and diatoms. It also fuels cyano... Which is worse.
One thing I would advise is to cut down your lights by about 1 hour a day, and see if that helps. It should not affect your corals.
Also, get yourself an RO unit, or an RO DI unit (I just use RO). These units can be purchased at a hardware store like ACE or Lowe's.
Another option is to get it from an RO source like walmart or a water and ice, where you fill up the jugs. It's about 25 cents per gallon here in AZ. Buying your own unit and installing wil pay for itself in $ and convenience.
For only those 3 fish, you could probably stand to cut the food down just a touch, but I don't see that being a problem, since you have a good CUC.
One more thing you can try to clean up that water REALLY QUICK and SAFELY is to use something called Chemipure. It's a filter media specially made to remove those harmful things from tap water. It's expensive but it REALLY works.

 

[rickybutler]

ill look into the RO units thanks so much!!!
is chemipure the same as purigen because I use purigen its in the third chamber right in front of my return pump?

 

[rickybutler]

how much do they usually cost?

 

[rlablan]

You know, I am not sure.
I just know that I set up my tanks using tap water, so I don't have to wait for my RO unit to fill up all those gallons. Then when the diatoms and algae start, I run chemipure and It's gone....
Maybe some one who uses purigen will chime in.

 

[rickybutler]

i just feel that a 100+ dollar RO or RO DI unit plus filter replacements (looks like 50 bucks for sometimes 4-5 different stages) isn't worth it for my 14 g reef. Those are just the estimates from me googleing it and seeing different prices and products

 

[rlablan]

Well you can also use it for drinking water.
Takes much better than Tap. It's what we use in our house.
You can also get your water at a grocery store, or a walmart. Just buy one of those jugs and mix the salt and put it in the jugs. Go and get it once a month.
I would suggest buying 1 large 5 gallon of Ro water, and keeping it "fresh water" for topping off the tank, and then get another couple 5 gallon jugs. Mix your saltwater in these, and store it in them too. Them just do your changes as normal.
I just wouldn't want to be lugging all the water. Especially if you have stairs. :-/

 

[starfishprime]

I'm on the fence for this one, RO/DI filters seem to be everyones go to for fixes, but I have read a few users who have broken the norm and actually questioned the fact that we all use them. Everyone uses one, is that why they're recommended? I just wish that there were more definitive answers, other than they can add 'stuff'. I know about phosphates but what else? They sell phos pads to fix that problem so what else is there? No doubt if they are worth they're price then maybe but for most hobbyist whose needs don't justify the price I need to know more.

 

[rlablan]

It depends on your area, but here is Phoenix/Chandler, the water is over 800 PPM on a good day. There is so much crap in the water. It smells awful and tastes awful. I am not 100 % about WHAT is actually included in those 800 ppms, but I know it's not good.
If you are using tap water, and it's working, then great. Continue. If it isn't working and you are having problems with algae, and diatoms and other things, then... There is your answer.
If you prefer to spend time/money on things like chemipure, purigen, phos pads, ammo pads (BTW, these don't really work)...then it is your decision.
Those of use who use RO units, simple mix water and that is pretty much the end of it. I don't have to buy anything except a replacement filter once every 2 years. (nearly.)
I spend very little money to maintain my tank and when I change filter media, it is really really easy. It's JUST filter floss. That is it.