Recovering from Tank Wipe Out - help!

[sailwithdon]

Any suggestions appreciated...
I have a 50 Hex Salt. 2 months ago the power went out for 3 days while I was out of town. Fish lived, but coral didn't make it.
The fish are happy, but i have a lot of green algae. I put in a RIO 600 internal filter that is adding oxygen. I have done four 10% water changes since then. I have a metal halide that is 10" above the water surface. Do you think I should remove it for now, and just put a flourescent light until things stabilize? Looking for answers to deal with algae and get on the fast road to recovery. thanks!

 

[jeanheckle]

Originally Posted by sailwithdon
http:///forum/post/2782487
Any suggestions appreciated...
I have a 50 Hex Salt. 2 months ago the power went out for 3 days while I was out of town. Fish lived, but coral didn't make it.
The fish are happy, but i have a lot of green algae. I put in a RIO 600 internal filter that is adding oxygen. I have done four 10% water changes since then. I have a metal halide that is 10" above the water surface. Do you think I should remove it for now, and just put a flourescent light until things stabilize? Looking for answers to deal with algae and get on the fast road to recovery. thanks!
Is it green water algae or hair type algae?

 

[nacl freak]

Parameters? Decrease lighting for a few days will help. Since only fish, I would turn off lights for two to three days.

 

[kinerson]

yep, turning off lights for a few days will slow algea growth. During that time you may want to continue improving water quality so that when you bring lights back on the algae wont go crazy. Test for nitrates and phosphates. Fresh carbon, good skimming, perhaps another water change or two depending on test results. If manual removal of algae is possible during lights out period- this could help also.
Greg

 

[fallensynner]

for the next time u leave on any trip make sure u have someone to come to ur house at least once a day to check the tank while ur gone. i always have someone come in once a day to make sure things are a ok and to add the chems to the tank

 

[notsonoob]

How is your flow.
Problem with Hex tanks is a dead layer of water movement. Algea also grows in stagnent water well too.
If you don't have it, I would suggest a power head somewhere around the bottom to stir the water around. It could be why your corals faded. They like to have flow around them.
One time I had a pump problem that reduced the exchanges and my sun coral "puckered up" tighter than a kid eating a lemon.