I NEED SOME HELP... I am so annoyed!
- Thread starter eaglephot
- Start date
petjunkie
Active Member
High phosphates huh? Did you double check with another test kit first? Most phosphate test kits are useless because if you have any your algea is using it all up. If you are feeding flake at all stop and rinse any frozen foods in ro/di before feeding, these are both contributors to high phosphates. For the cyano like stuff did you try putting some more flow on it and cut down the light for two or three days, put a sheet or something over the tank and don't let it get any light at all, then do a large water change the day after.
I'm glad you got rid of a couple tangs just keep in mind your clown, naso, and unicorn all grow way too large for that size tank, I've read more than a few stories of people with 300+ gallon eight foot tanks giving them up because they seem cramped, they need a lot of room to swim around. Stick to ones that stay under 10 inches max size. Plenty of other fish in the sea to add. Also maybe post some pics of the weird algea to be identified.
I'm glad you got rid of a couple tangs just keep in mind your clown, naso, and unicorn all grow way too large for that size tank, I've read more than a few stories of people with 300+ gallon eight foot tanks giving them up because they seem cramped, they need a lot of room to swim around. Stick to ones that stay under 10 inches max size. Plenty of other fish in the sea to add. Also maybe post some pics of the weird algea to be identified.
ags
Member
How much flow do you have in your tank? I can't remember the target turnover but it something like 5 or 6 times the total water volume. I could be wrong. For comparison I have a 90 with 6 Maxi Jet 1200s and a Mag 7 running my return.
Are you doing 10% water changes every week?
What kind of LR do you have? Any chance you have gulf rock or Florida LR?
Are you doing 10% water changes every week?
What kind of LR do you have? Any chance you have gulf rock or Florida LR?
scarface
Member
I had the same problem as you did many months ago but after taking some advice and sticking to a plan I got it out. Stick to water changes 10% once a week and try to get the phosban reactor from two little fishies with the phosban media. Works like a charm and it is pretty cheap. I know you said earlier about not getting a fuge with some cheato, but you should really look into it great way of plants competing for phosphates instead of it in your tank water. As far as flow goes I have a 50x turnover rate in my tank, but im keeping SPS's. You should target for at least a 20x if you do not have. It should be around 2700gph total. Also point the power heads at the glass. Hope that Helps
mudplayerx
Active Member
I'd definately quit using chemicals to help combat cyano and algae. The cyano killer utilizes erythromycin, which does not discriminate good bacteria from bad bacteria.
Algae killers just sound plain unsafe to me in a reef tank.
PS - you need closer to 20x the volume of your tank in water turnover an hour.
Algae killers just sound plain unsafe to me in a reef tank.
PS - you need closer to 20x the volume of your tank in water turnover an hour.
coral keeper
Active Member
This is a very good thread!! I also have a hair algae problem in my 8 gallon bio cube and will feed my clown every other day and put my lights to work for 6 hours a day. I all ready have chaeto algae but I only had it for about 4 days. Will do what everyone said on this thread. Should I get one or some or any Mexican Turbo Snails?
mudplayerx
Active Member
If you guys are using macroalgae such as chaeto, make sure you take about half of it everytime it grows to double size and throw it out, otherwise you aren't accomplishing anything as far as getting rid of excess nutrients.
I wish someone else would chime in here with their experience, but no snails that I know of eat mature hair algae. Hair algae grows and spread so rapidly that the algae will mature faster than the snails can eat it.
Hair algae is a sign of a problem in my opinion. It generally arises from an excess of one of three things: lighting, carbon, or nutrients.
You can easily detect high carbon levels by testing your pH. Low pH tends to come hand in hand with elevated carbon levels. Measurable nitrates are an indication of too many nutrients or "dissolved organic compunds" (which can also lead to elevated carbon).
Too much lighting is easily detectable. Metal halide, for instance, should not be on for longer than 8 hours a day.
I wish someone else would chime in here with their experience, but no snails that I know of eat mature hair algae. Hair algae grows and spread so rapidly that the algae will mature faster than the snails can eat it.
Hair algae is a sign of a problem in my opinion. It generally arises from an excess of one of three things: lighting, carbon, or nutrients.
You can easily detect high carbon levels by testing your pH. Low pH tends to come hand in hand with elevated carbon levels. Measurable nitrates are an indication of too many nutrients or "dissolved organic compunds" (which can also lead to elevated carbon).
Too much lighting is easily detectable. Metal halide, for instance, should not be on for longer than 8 hours a day.
digitydash
Active Member
Phosphate sponge is the same thing as chaeto but it absorbs it very fast.I use it in my tank and never have had a problem with it hurting any of my corals.I also run carbon 24/7 without any problem with it absorbing my ph.
eaglephot
Member
Originally Posted by petjunkie
I'm glad you got rid of a couple tangs just keep in mind your clown, naso, and unicorn. Also maybe post some pics of the weird algea to be identified.
I got rid of the Clown and the Vlamingi and I lost the Naso. I was an idiot and was so mad that I had the algae that I went through a mental state and started brishing off all the algae into the tank with a toothbrush. Don't tell me I did a bad thing because I know I did. So anyway, I don't know what it was, but an hour later, the Naso tang and my big clown were dead. I had done a water change right after my scraping spell but I guess it wasn't enough to get out whatever that algae released. Then there were more problems. All my other fish started breathing really fast and didn't look like they would make it through the night. My big beautiful Unicorn included!
So I did a 50 water change. I had to use tap water so my phosphates were higher but it had to be done to save everything. So long story short, everything lived and is doing great. I still have high phosphates but they are coming down slow with 20% water changes every 4 ish days. I can't take a picture of the slime because it doesn't exist anymore. I have just had a horrible week and I feel so bad for killing two of my original fish.
I'm glad you got rid of a couple tangs just keep in mind your clown, naso, and unicorn. Also maybe post some pics of the weird algea to be identified.
I got rid of the Clown and the Vlamingi and I lost the Naso. I was an idiot and was so mad that I had the algae that I went through a mental state and started brishing off all the algae into the tank with a toothbrush. Don't tell me I did a bad thing because I know I did. So anyway, I don't know what it was, but an hour later, the Naso tang and my big clown were dead. I had done a water change right after my scraping spell but I guess it wasn't enough to get out whatever that algae released. Then there were more problems. All my other fish started breathing really fast and didn't look like they would make it through the night. My big beautiful Unicorn included!
So I did a 50 water change. I had to use tap water so my phosphates were higher but it had to be done to save everything. So long story short, everything lived and is doing great. I still have high phosphates but they are coming down slow with 20% water changes every 4 ish days. I can't take a picture of the slime because it doesn't exist anymore. I have just had a horrible week and I feel so bad for killing two of my original fish.
eaglephot
Member
Originally Posted by Ags
How much flow do you have in your tank? I can't remember the target turnover but it something like 5 or 6 times the total water volume. I could be wrong. For comparison I have a 90 with 6 Maxi Jet 1200s and a Mag 7 running my return.
Are you doing 10% water changes every week?
What kind of LR do you have? Any chance you have gulf rock or Florida LR?
Alright, let me see... 135 gallon tank... flow I have... 1300 gph (mag18) + 780 gph (maxi 900s and 600s) = 2080 gph divided by 135 = 15.4. So yeah. I have plenty of turnover. I should have more powerful powerheads though.
How much flow do you have in your tank? I can't remember the target turnover but it something like 5 or 6 times the total water volume. I could be wrong. For comparison I have a 90 with 6 Maxi Jet 1200s and a Mag 7 running my return.
Are you doing 10% water changes every week?
What kind of LR do you have? Any chance you have gulf rock or Florida LR?
Alright, let me see... 135 gallon tank... flow I have... 1300 gph (mag18) + 780 gph (maxi 900s and 600s) = 2080 gph divided by 135 = 15.4. So yeah. I have plenty of turnover. I should have more powerful powerheads though.
eaglephot
Member
Originally Posted by Scarface
I had the same problem as you did many months ago but after taking some advice and sticking to a plan I got it out. Stick to water changes 10% once a week and try to get the phosban reactor from two little fishies with the phosban media. Works like a charm and it is pretty cheap. I know you said earlier about not getting a fuge with some cheato, but you should really look into it great way of plants competing for phosphates instead of it in your tank water. As far as flow goes I have a 50x turnover rate in my tank, but im keeping SPS's. You should target for at least a 20x if you do not have. It should be around 2700gph total. Also point the power heads at the glass. Hope that Helps
20x? OK. I definately need the Maxi 1200s then. I do need to get a fuge. I just have to find room for one under my tank. It doesn't have to be that big, right?
I had the same problem as you did many months ago but after taking some advice and sticking to a plan I got it out. Stick to water changes 10% once a week and try to get the phosban reactor from two little fishies with the phosban media. Works like a charm and it is pretty cheap. I know you said earlier about not getting a fuge with some cheato, but you should really look into it great way of plants competing for phosphates instead of it in your tank water. As far as flow goes I have a 50x turnover rate in my tank, but im keeping SPS's. You should target for at least a 20x if you do not have. It should be around 2700gph total. Also point the power heads at the glass. Hope that Helps
20x? OK. I definately need the Maxi 1200s then. I do need to get a fuge. I just have to find room for one under my tank. It doesn't have to be that big, right?
eaglephot
Member
Originally Posted by mudplayerx
Hair algae is a sign of a problem in my opinion. It generally arises from an excess of one of three things: lighting, carbon, or nutrients.
You can easily detect high carbon levels by testing your pH. Low pH tends to come hand in hand with elevated carbon levels. Measurable nitrates are an indication of too many nutrients or "dissolved organic compunds" (which can also lead to elevated carbon).
Too much lighting is easily detectable. Metal halide, for instance, should not be on for longer than 8 hours a day.
Well, my pH is 8.1-8.2 so carbon isn't the problem. Nutrients, well phosphates are above 1 and nitrate about 10 so nutirents are part of it. Light, I have on for 10 hours CF. Could light be a factor?
Hair algae is a sign of a problem in my opinion. It generally arises from an excess of one of three things: lighting, carbon, or nutrients.
You can easily detect high carbon levels by testing your pH. Low pH tends to come hand in hand with elevated carbon levels. Measurable nitrates are an indication of too many nutrients or "dissolved organic compunds" (which can also lead to elevated carbon).
Too much lighting is easily detectable. Metal halide, for instance, should not be on for longer than 8 hours a day.
Well, my pH is 8.1-8.2 so carbon isn't the problem. Nutrients, well phosphates are above 1 and nitrate about 10 so nutirents are part of it. Light, I have on for 10 hours CF. Could light be a factor?
eaglephot
Member
Originally Posted by digitydash
Phosphate sponge is the same thing as chaeto but it absorbs it very fast.I use it in my tank and never have had a problem with it hurting any of my corals.I also run carbon 24/7 without any problem with it absorbing my ph.
What is a good phosphate sponge? What are they called?
Phosphate sponge is the same thing as chaeto but it absorbs it very fast.I use it in my tank and never have had a problem with it hurting any of my corals.I also run carbon 24/7 without any problem with it absorbing my ph.
What is a good phosphate sponge? What are they called?
marka1620
Member
I'm also battling Hair Algea. I was feeding once a day (47 gallon tall tank w/2 clowns-Damsel-Lawnmower blennie-Strawberry Chromis-3 peppermints-various crabs/snails). Have some soft corals also and a Haitian Pink tipped.
I'm now feeding every other day and sometimes every 3rd day. I removed alot of rocks an pulled the algea off (while in a bucket with tank water) and then put the rocks back in.
I also cut my lighting down to six hours a day (250 MH and 96 watts T5 HO). I checked my phosphates and Nitrates the other day and they seem fine. I also change about 5 gallons of water/week.
Hopefully, I'm on the right path.
I'm now feeding every other day and sometimes every 3rd day. I removed alot of rocks an pulled the algea off (while in a bucket with tank water) and then put the rocks back in.
I also cut my lighting down to six hours a day (250 MH and 96 watts T5 HO). I checked my phosphates and Nitrates the other day and they seem fine. I also change about 5 gallons of water/week.
Hopefully, I'm on the right path.
digitydash
Active Member
Originally Posted by digitydash
Phosphates grow algae like nitrates.Get some kents phosphate sponge or
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=6
Thats why when I was helping you befor I sayed to purchase some cause once the algae start to die it gets released back into the water.
I use kent's but they don't have it here.
Phosphates grow algae like nitrates.Get some kents phosphate sponge or
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=6
Thats why when I was helping you befor I sayed to purchase some cause once the algae start to die it gets released back into the water.
I use kent's but they don't have it here.
