reef tank die-off

pchromis

pchromis

Member
Hello all,
My 95g reef tank has been up and running since 10/09..it was an upgrade from a smaller established tank.
Lighting is 8x36 T5 lighting with combo of 4 Blue Plus lamps, 2 acintics, 1 daylight 1 and one Aquablue.
The blues come on at 9am and out at 7....the others come on at 10am and off at 6.
Running a fuge with chaeto and also PS
PH is 8.3
0 ammonia
0 nitrates
0 nitrites
Phosphates, about 0.1 one step above 0.
Fish are doing well, thriving. and some LPS corals have died off.
I have noticed recently that there appears to be alot of what appears to be a Grayish algae like growth on the Faux rock background and there also appears to be "die-off" or detritus on the sand as it if it is dropping straight down. Waterflow providing good movement. Even on back Faux rock backgound where this "grayish" growth is happening.
There are no major problems with either fish or Torch Coral, button and green star polpys, and zoos.
Any ideas on the "Grayish" algae like growth?
Thanks in advance.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

I hope it isn't the fake stuff breaking down. Saltwater is very corrosive. Running carbon should help if there are toxins involved…from coral at war or anything leaking from the fake rock.
 
pchromis

pchromis

Member
Thanks,
That was my first thought. But the stuff is on the plastic return fittings, on the live rock and if it were green it would be algae. Seems more to be like a "die off" when on not on the background.
It is non-toxic. And I did run carbon but not too much help.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

That’s why I am worried about toxic leaking…algae only grows when all is healthy. It is actually a good sign…as long as it grows where we want it, it’s a good thing. If it isn’t die off maybe you just need more flow back there. I put a spray bar (I use canister filters) vertically on my back wall to help water flow there. Regular rock will get gray buildup if it isn’t cleared off for a long time, a sign of not enough water flow.
 
A

abeandlulu

Guest
what about you lights?? have youreplaced you bulbs yet?
 
A

abeandlulu

Guest
sorry I miss read that. i am aslo a little confused about the faux rock. Is that man made rock?
 
pchromis

pchromis

Member
No, it's like a poly/styrofoam non-toxic background. I used it in my previous reef tank for 5 years with no issues at all. Like I had said before, the fish are thriving, as are zoos, polyps, torch coral, colt coral and mushrooms. As a matter of fact, a movie theater I go to do has a 200g tank with the same background and it is maintained by a well know aquarium service company.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Get a new unused turkey baster and blow the stuff off the rock and into the water column so the filter can take it away. You just need more flow back there. JMO.
 
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