Algae in sump fading away.....

[punkrockdad]

My grape and sawtooth is fading away in my sump after creating a solid root network into the micrcle mud system.

I light it 24/7 with a 6500k and a 20k. I have a rapid flow through back to my 2ft cube.

I recently had huge amounts of hair algae in the display tank which a sea hare put paid to.

I have also installed 2 tunze nanostreams which it occured to me are rapidly aerating the surface and maybe taking all the co2 out of the tank. could this be the problem?

the tank is 2 months old.

If anybody has any ideas I'd be very grateful...

tia

 

[graveyardworm]

I would start by cutting back on the lighting to around 14 on 10 off. Test nutrients, Po4, and No3. Some iron dosing may help as well start low and see if the macro improves.

 

[punkrockdad]

Thanks for the the reply Mr Worm

On a reverse cycle? Will this not encourage the grape to reproduce?

Am i behind with the thinking on 24hr lighting of fuges?

I've dropped some grape in the main display to test the photo period theory.

I shall source some iron as it could be possible the hair algae took a sizable amount of trace elements. I have been changing water - 10% every two weeks - to try and counteract this.

I shall source some iron today and test and post results.

 

[punkrockdad]

more info taken with a Tropic Marin - Expert testset

24.3 C temp
8.63ph
1024 salinity
9 dKH alkalinity
Nitrate <1mg/l (ppm)
Nitrite 0mg/l (ppm)
Amonium 0,2mg/l (ppm)

mmm... wheres that amonium coming from?!

 

[punkrockdad]

4 days later on a reduced photoperiod the algae is sprouting like mad!!

Should I stay on 14 on 10 off for good or will the algae dump again?

I've installed a skimmer incase the algae dumps again...

Although the sight of dead bugs n pods in the bubbles is racking me with guilt!!!

 

[graveyardworm]

If the ammonium reading is accurate then it is very high.

With the algae now growing well potentially it could use up the available nurients in the system until one or more becomes limited. When this occurs there is a chance that it may sporulate. There are generally warning signs, if your attentive you could catch it before it goes and remove it.

 

[punkrockdad]

I've spotted the grape going pale over a few days but are there any other warning signs I could look out for?

I've got my head in the sump every 5 minutes at the moment so i should spot any changes! The grape and sawtooth is deep green presently. When you say remove it, should I be pulling all the roots out of the mud or just cut back?

I'll check the ammonia again tomorrow and see if theres been any changes.

 

[graveyardworm]

Gnerally, but not always when the caulerpa sporulates its the entire plant that goes. The sporulation usually appears as green dots and/or veins in the plant when it losses its color. This thread contains some good pics.