algae issue
- Thread starter garod82
- Start date
Kenfuzed
New member
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Those Glacier machines are not always the cleanest. If you don't believe me check the water you get from the machine with a TDS meter. It will measure well just after servicing but those machines are often neglected. There's a big difference between "clean" drinking water and pure RO/DI. Glacier water is probably better than tap water but if the machine isn't maintained it might as well come from your faucet.
Kenfuzed
New member
The trick with the lights will work, but I believe it is a temporary fix. If you have a nutrient problem your algae will be back long before your corals regain their color and health.
IMO a solid action plan would include the following:
1. Eliminate the existance of excess phosphates, nitrates, and silicates through water changes and pure RO/DI top-off water. Unless you are getting your water from UCSB or Scripps I'd avoid so-called NSW or shop-mixed water. Mixing your own water isn't that hard and assures control over the addition of anything foreign.
2. Increase skimming from dry to wet while closely monitoring your salinity. I personally remove a cup of skim per day and replenish the tank with a cup of fresh SW to compensate.
3. Change your carbon every 2 weeks. Let carbon soak in RO water first to help leach out any PO4.
4. Soak/melt any frozen food in RO water, then strain before feeding.
5. If using filter socks or pads, wash them frequently. After cleaning soak these in RO water as well.
6. If you have a sump or refugium, try a clump of Chaeto macroalgae. A cheap Home Depot lightbulb is all it takes to make this stuff grow, and it will absorb nutrients naturally. If you don't have a sump, try taking a plastic strawberry basket and suspending in the corner of your tank just below the surface of the water. Fill the basket with a loose clump of Chaeto. Remove clumps as it grows to export nutrients and to keep it growing. IMHO this stuff is the best filter I've ever come across. I run a 150g sps tank with a 20g prop tank, and my filtration is all skimmer and chaeto in my sump.
BTW, don't pay for chaeto. If you need some I'll give you a bag full as will many others on this forum. Many people I know harvest so much they end up throwing it away.
7. Probably the most important step... patience. Nothing ever goes away overnight, especially algae problems. Practice good tank husbandry and your tank will respond in time.
IMO a solid action plan would include the following:
1. Eliminate the existance of excess phosphates, nitrates, and silicates through water changes and pure RO/DI top-off water. Unless you are getting your water from UCSB or Scripps I'd avoid so-called NSW or shop-mixed water. Mixing your own water isn't that hard and assures control over the addition of anything foreign.
2. Increase skimming from dry to wet while closely monitoring your salinity. I personally remove a cup of skim per day and replenish the tank with a cup of fresh SW to compensate.
3. Change your carbon every 2 weeks. Let carbon soak in RO water first to help leach out any PO4.
4. Soak/melt any frozen food in RO water, then strain before feeding.
5. If using filter socks or pads, wash them frequently. After cleaning soak these in RO water as well.
6. If you have a sump or refugium, try a clump of Chaeto macroalgae. A cheap Home Depot lightbulb is all it takes to make this stuff grow, and it will absorb nutrients naturally. If you don't have a sump, try taking a plastic strawberry basket and suspending in the corner of your tank just below the surface of the water. Fill the basket with a loose clump of Chaeto. Remove clumps as it grows to export nutrients and to keep it growing. IMHO this stuff is the best filter I've ever come across. I run a 150g sps tank with a 20g prop tank, and my filtration is all skimmer and chaeto in my sump.
BTW, don't pay for chaeto. If you need some I'll give you a bag full as will many others on this forum. Many people I know harvest so much they end up throwing it away.
7. Probably the most important step... patience. Nothing ever goes away overnight, especially algae problems. Practice good tank husbandry and your tank will respond in time.
UnlimitedReef
In Memoriam
Water change every week will help.
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