Algae Issues

[cpllongjk]

Ive been in the hobby for almost 14 years but this is the first time Ive dealt with a pesky algae like this. Recently I upgraded my tank, which normally I keep tanks around 20-30 gallons and almost always barebottom. I upgraded to a 60g, 48x15x18. Flow is provided by the return about 200gph and 2 vortechs, placed opposite each other.

In the past Ive never had algae issues. Currently my nitrates are 2-2.5ppm, and phosphates are undetectable. My skimmer pulls out everything, but I cant seem to get rid of this algae. If you can, ID the algae and tell me what you would try to rid yourself of it.

Ive tried: Reducing lighting period, water changes, Lights out for 1 week, running carbon, vodka dosing, using prodibio for a month straight. Nothing seems to work.

Here are a few pictures of what Im dealing with, its not a whole lot, just pesky.

I thank you in advance.

 

[Pcrain]

if you decide to go chemical i heard great things about algae fix..

i always am fighting a losing battle with algae but i just think its apart of the hobbie and try and think about the good it brings.. which is always hard to do b/c hey who wants that ugly stuff =P

if it starts getting close to a coral i use a tooth brush to get rid of it

 

[cpllongjk]

Forgot to mention that my ro water tds is at 0ppm using an inline tds meter. I dont think im adding anything to the tank, also chemical is never a solution for me. Ive used chemiclean in the past and while the results are good, always want to fix the problem without using chemicals.

 

[Goby-Wan Kenobi]

How old are your bulbs?
Maybe try a blackout for a couple days
Or a new algae eating fish
start dosing vsv

 

[Bud Reeferman]

Are you running both a carbon and a GFO reactor 24/7?

 

[Pcrain]

Algae just means your system is healthy algae grows in almost all systems unless your the best of reefers and even they experience algae problems battle it. get a tang to help.. thats the most i can say since i still have algae

 

[cpllongjk]

I currently dose vodka as my carbon source. I dont see the point in running carbon as well. I used to run GFO but with dosing vodka, its pretty much pointless too. My bulbs could use changing but dont want to spend a lot of money if thats not the case.

 

[coralmojo]

the bubbles are give away that it is probably dinoflagellates...increase flow and make sure you are hitting dead spots...may need to resort to chemi-clean treatment...try microbacter 7 (brightwell's) with your vodka...

DrMerle

 

[jimsplace]

I currently dose vodka as my carbon source. I dont see the point in running carbon as well. I used to run GFO but with dosing vodka, its pretty much pointless too. My bulbs could use changing but dont want to spend a lot of money if thats not the case.

If your bulbs are old, they are more than likely contributing to the algae growth. I start getting algae growth when my bulbs get "old".

 

[coralnut99]

the bubbles are give away that it is probably dinoflagellates...increase flow and make sure you are hitting dead spots...may need to resort to chemi-clean treatment...try microbacter 7 (brightwell's) with your vodka...

DrMerle

+1 on Dinos