Help!!! How Can I Reduce Algae Other Than Water Changes???

[sillynecco]

I have brown algae growing all over my tank, i just tested my water levels and everything checks fine but the NO3 levels are at around 100, witch i know is very bad.
I did a few water changes and got my levels down around 50 and am changing 8-15% every day.
I have 2 tanks and the same problems in each one, the first tank is a 75g, 105 lbs of rock.
the other is a 10 gal 15 lbs or rock and 2 clowns and a royal gramma along with some corals.
I know changing the water everyday can reduce NO3 and reduce the algae levels, but is there anything else that i can do?
thanks for the help

 

[marvida]

Tell us something about your maintainence routine. Normal water changes, what is your water source, what's your lighting, what's your lighting schedule, how old are your tanks? Just about anything you can think of.

 

[chipmaker]

Lighting schedule / duration, the type of water you use and the type of feed and amount of feeds all have a part to play on having algae grow.

 

[csupdog]

Most likely its the water your using, its high in nitrates and phosphates to begin with. Your skimmer might not be that great, you might be overfeeding. But I would put money on your water, tips:
- use RO water, at the least use filtered water
- add marine plants
- add algae eating fish, eg. tangs and blennies

 

[sillynecco]

I usually leave the lights on for 10 hours a day, sometimes more, sometimes a lil less.
I use tap water, put water conditioner and let it sit overnight before i do water changes.
If the water is the source, what can i do aside from using RODI water? Could i use a phosphate filter or nitrogen filters or absorbers?
let me know....

 

[aquapro_1]

Tap has a lot of junk in it. Conditioners only get rid of chlorine & some minor stuff. Definitley worth your time, money & effort to get a ro/di & give them clean fresh water. My fish are less stressed and healthier.

 

[sillynecco]

Anybody know of a good place to get a RO DI unit?

 

[beth]

Before assuming its your water, lets hear some more about how your tank is set up. Sand? LR? Feeding habbits, Equiptment, size tank, etc.?
Test your soruce water before salt for nitrate. That is an easy way to see if the water is the problem.
Can you explain how you mix salt again?