question

[ga8233]

Ok, So I've been dealing with a hair algae problem for a quite a while now. I have plenty of cleanup crew (just bought "The Monster" package a couple of weeks ago. It seems that the blue-leg crabs are more interested in killing my snails than doing their job (but that's another problem)
I was wondering, do the bio-balls that I have in my filter have anything to do with the algae problem? I also have a pre-filter (I guess that's what it's called) It hangs off the back of my tank and has a round sponge in it. I clean it almost daily. The water goes from the tank tnrough the pre-filter and then to the bottom filter then back into the tank. Any ideas?
My parameters have just been checked and everything is where it should be.

 

[nm reef]

The bio-balls could contribute to elevated nitrates and that could in turn contribute to algae problems. Post your test results and provide all the info you can about your system. Lighting/circulation/fish&corals....how much LR...do you use LS...any additives used...how often and how much do you feed...all the info you can think of.

 

[ga8233]

I take my water sample to the LFS (personal friend works there, doesn't cost anything when he tests for me ) Anyway, I'm not good at testing myself, So as I said, everything tested exactly how it's supposed to. That's why we're stumped as to why the algae problem.
I have crushed coral (originally started with sand but I thought it looked too dirty all the time, I know most people prefer the coral)
125 g. approximately 150lbs of l.r (can't be sure as I lost track as to how much I put in there. I'll have to dig up my receipts sometime I think I still have them.)
additives potassium iodide and calcium (don't rememebr the brand, I'm not home now where I can check everything)
just changed the lights approx. 2 months ago. I'm sorry I don't know the "exact" anything. I don't know how you all do it

 

[ga8233]

I forgot, I think I don't have enough waterflow I have only 1 jet it's a rio 3100

 

[fishman830]

that might be a problem, i have some bad cyno and recently i bought a power head and it cut it down alot

 

[ga8233]

I started getting cyno, but that was easy to take care of. All gone now. Just the hair algae. As far as topping off. I buy ro from LFS so I feel it should be safe from there. Don't have my own filter yet

 

[clarkiiboi]

Do those tests include phosphates? Do you remember your nitrAte reading? I never had bio balls, but heard they can become a problem with trAtes. Anyways, can you list what the last test results were.........