LR question & algae

[sparky0028]

I did a search for lr questions, read some post from a few months back and it mentions not to add too much rock at once as it will cause spikes. Is this true, does anyone have any suggestions as I am fairly new to this forum and hobby. I would like to add about 40-50 lbs of lr. Right now I have only about 20lbs lr and 45lbs base and a large pc of dead coral (which I intend to take out and replace w/lr). I could also use some imput on my lights, right now I have 2 pc light (96w each) 1 -10,000 day and 1 - Actinic on a 100 gal tank and they run from 5 pm to 10:30pm. Is this enough light for soft corals and lps, I have a colt and tourch coral and both seem be doing well.
Water test
PH 8.1
sg 1.025
temp 79
nitrite .15
nitrate 5
Amm .25
ca 600!!
I have the lights on for a short period because I can not get ride of a slime green algae that is on the base and lr and dead coral--Can anyone offer some advice?

 

[jedininja]

It looks like you are still cycling. I would add in the new live rock now so that you wont go through another cycling. You have corals in there when your amm and nitrites arent 0? Those lights are fine for soft corals but seem a little bit low for LPS. Also the lights need to be on longer for your coral. But I would really advise you to take out the coral until you finish adding all the LR and finish the cycling.

 

[beaslbob]

I agree you are still cycling.
I would add some plant life you desire to control or eliminate ther green alage.

 

[overanalyzer]

1. Are you still cycling?? if so add the LR but beware you will extend your cycle (not all bad)
2. What is your filtration set-up? Do you have a refugium? I would do some research and check into that .... a refugium will allow you to add some macro algea and control the algea in yoru display ....
3. What are you using for make-up water? It could be a large part of your problem.
4. Take a turkey baster and suck up the slimey algea and export it that way ....

 

[sparky0028]

The tank has been running since may of theis year, I started out with 100lbs of regular sand, 2 clown and a yellow tang. I also seeded the tank with bacteria. About 3 months ago I added 40lbs of LS and 20lbs LR
2- The tank uses the Tenecor Simplicity Plus system which has a small mechanical filter pad and bio balls for the bacteria end (trickle) and I also installed a Berlin Air Lift Protein skimmer. Because tha tank is built into a bar and there are space limitation I can not use a refugium.
3- I used tap water for the first month and half, but now use ro/di water and do a 15gal water change every week.
4- I have tried to wipe the alage away but it does not come off easily.
As of today I have 1 blue hippo tang, 3 clown, 1 yellow tang, 1 red sea sailfin tang, a coral beauty, about 20 hermits and a brittle star fish (also had a antenna lion but have since sent him back to the lfs). Is it possible that I am still cycling after 6 months, and what lights do you recommend.

 

[beaslbob]

you definately need to stop feeding until the nitrItes come down.
I use NO lights.
plant life will help control the algae.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by Sparky0028
As of today I have 1 blue hippo tang, 3 clown, 1 yellow tang, 1 red sea sailfin tang, a coral beauty, about 20 hermits and a brittle star fish (also had a antenna lion but have since sent him back to the lfs). Is it possible that I am still cycling after 6 months, and what lights do you recommend.
You have a rather HUGE bioload for a 100 gallon tank .... I would think you are in continual cycle because of the feeding/waste created by such a large group of fish in a smallish tank ....
Also - you should clean out the bioballs - they too could be a nitrate producing area in your tank
I would highly suggest you get some snails in there once you get your trites and ammonia down to 0 .....
Also - you should look @ some sort of additional filtration in the short term ... something to run some carbon in - a simple HOB filter to get the water cleaned.
Lastly - if you do follow bob's advice on plant life in yoru display go with something like manatee grass or lemon/turtle grass - avoid some of the classic macro algeas as they tend to chok out other corals. The problem you will have is that your tangs will eat just about any plant life you put in there .....
IF it were me I'd get rid of the blue/hippo tang and then keep only one of the other tangs (the hippo is a big fish and will get to be a foot long). I'd look @ getting a reef safe wrasse that stays small and some other smaller fish after you get your parameters in line....
Good luck

 

[sparky0028]

Thanks for the info, I will cut down on the feeding for now, maybe every other day. I do have carbon in the filter system and about 7 snails (just forgot to mention). I will do a test (along with a water change)this weekend to see result--Mr lionfish has been gone for over a week now so maybe this has lighten the bio laod--we'll see. Once agian thanks to all.

 

[overanalyzer]

just slowing down on teh feedings of those fish will not cut your bioload a whole lot - they will still produce waste - especially the tangs - which will pick @ the rocks and what not to get @ any algea they can find. I wish you luck - but until you get rid of some of those big fish your tank's capability to handle the bioload will be severally challenged!