hair like algae
- Thread starter rigby_55
- Start date
rigby_55
New Member
I use distilled water and my ph and alk tests are good. My ph is off the scale, like 8.6 or something. The higher the better right? Those are the only 2 tests I do on the water though. Should I do more? Do you really change 10% of your water weekly? That seems like an aweful lot. I cange maybe 3 galloons a week out of 65. Thanks for your help
dburr
Active Member
My ph is off the scale, like 8.6 or something. The higher the better right?
No, 8.3 +- .3 is recomended.
Stop with the superbuffer ASAP.
I use distilled water
I suspect this supply of water may be the culprit. I did say MAY.
It sould be tested for phosphates and other contaminents.
Those are the only 2 tests I do on the water though. Should I do more?
Have you checked ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? SG would also be another.
What is in the tank for live stock?
I change closer to 10% monthly of water.
One other thing, what do you run for lights and how old are they?
No, 8.3 +- .3 is recomended.
Stop with the superbuffer ASAP.
I use distilled water
I suspect this supply of water may be the culprit. I did say MAY.
It sould be tested for phosphates and other contaminents.
Those are the only 2 tests I do on the water though. Should I do more?
Have you checked ammonia, nitrites and nitrates? SG would also be another.
What is in the tank for live stock?
I change closer to 10% monthly of water.
One other thing, what do you run for lights and how old are they?
rigby_55
New Member
Let's see, I have a pink square anthias, clown, six line wrasse, a bubble tip anemome, some snails and blue legs. That's it I guess. My lights are compact coralife lights totaling 220 watts, less than six months old.
The water is like I said distilled, store boughten, if this isn't good what should I use? Thanks again.
The water is like I said distilled, store boughten, if this isn't good what should I use? Thanks again.
S
slofish
Guest
ph, I like to keep it at 8.2 +- .1
Water, I like to use reverse osmosis (RO) water. Reverse osmosis is a process that pulls most of the dissolved solids out of water. Like a purification system.
You may want to buy yourself a couple of test kits. You want to be able to test for ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrates at the least.
Water Change - you may be fine w/ doing 3 gallons a week. What kind of filter do you have? I change about 3-5 gallons a week in my 26, but i dont think many others w/ a tank this size do the same as me.
Water, I like to use reverse osmosis (RO) water. Reverse osmosis is a process that pulls most of the dissolved solids out of water. Like a purification system.
You may want to buy yourself a couple of test kits. You want to be able to test for ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrates at the least.
Water Change - you may be fine w/ doing 3 gallons a week. What kind of filter do you have? I change about 3-5 gallons a week in my 26, but i dont think many others w/ a tank this size do the same as me.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
First of all I agree to stop the buffering. You system should not need the buffering and the ph is too high.
Secondly I am not sure what you mean by black algae but will assume it is a very dark green. I also do not know if you have other plant life in your display or refugium. I am sure that your plant life feeds off of nitrates, ammonia and phosphates. As you build more bioload in your from the livestock, those plant nutrients will increase. So the best means of controlling the ugly plant life is by adding desirable plant life to consume those nutrients. That way the ugly plant life will be starved of nutrients.
Secondly I am not sure what you mean by black algae but will assume it is a very dark green. I also do not know if you have other plant life in your display or refugium. I am sure that your plant life feeds off of nitrates, ammonia and phosphates. As you build more bioload in your from the livestock, those plant nutrients will increase. So the best means of controlling the ugly plant life is by adding desirable plant life to consume those nutrients. That way the ugly plant life will be starved of nutrients.