Algae problem in a 250 gal

[marc111]

OK I have had the tank set up for about 1 year. It was stocked with live rock from Java. about 180 lbs. I have the typical cleaner crew hermits etc. Because I suspected my one fish (a foxface died of ich I let the tank go fallow for fish for 15 weeks.

I then introduced a (couple of gorgonians, three sps corals 2 brains and a montipora and some xeniaall of which have done fine) I also added a rock anenome and a bubnble tiup anenome. The rock is doing fine and growing and the bubble tip disappeared into the rocks and has never resurfaced. I have a fake rock backwall and it disappeared behind it. I also have 6 anthias now.

The tank has a 30 gal refugium with live rock and macro algae that feeds into the sump. It is on an opposite lighting from the tank and has some brown mulm on its bottom under the rock. I have a RF 3000 int skimmer and I am also pulling about 2 cups of skimate out a day.

My problem is that unlike my last reef tank my algae growth has never calmed down. I have about 8 species of macro algae growing including a brown species that is really annoying.

All of my tank parameters are in the normal range ph 8.3, zero nitrates and phosphates, Ca 450, Alk 8.1 dKH, Mag 1360

I cannot figure out what is fueling the algae. I would have thought that even if the bubble tip died that after 6 months it would not be fueling algae growth.

Here are some pictures. I would appreciate any thoughts / helpful suggestions,
Mark

Refugium


Tank

 

[jimrawr]

All that detritus under your rock is certainly fueling algae growth

 

[marc111]

I have worried about that and yet I have seen other threads claiming th mulm like that does no harm. I am harvesting tones of algae on a weekly basis. Its very frustrating. I am wondering if I should add 50 hermit crabs to help.

Mark

 

[Ldagger]

Do a big water change to get rid of that mulm and get some phosphate removing media. Phosphate is the issue

 

[Daniel62]

phosphates won't show up, it's all being used by the alga. Looks like you have cyno, this usually means not enough flow. how much are you feeding. How long are your lights on? type of light. old bulbs? How's your RO unit, what are you Tds numbers. Rock could be leaching. I second using a phosphate remover.

 

[Lavoisier]

I would recommend an ATS. I've found them bullet proof (be patient...a couple of months) for reducing nuisance algae and maintaining pristine water quality.

 

[wildman926]

I would recommend an ATS. I've found them bullet proof (be patient...a couple of months) for reducing nuisance algae and maintaining pristine water quality.

X2. I HAD nitrate and phosphate issues until my ATS (algae turf scrubber) were deployed on both tanks. HERE is a good thread to read about them on RC.

 

[marc111]

phosphates won't show up, it's all being used by the alga. Looks like you have cyno, this usually means not enough flow. how much are you feeding. How long are your lights on? type of light. old bulbs? How's your RO unit, what are you Tds numbers. Rock could be leaching. I second using a phosphate remover.

Ok I have added a phosphate remover in the sump. There is between 8K and 10K/hr flow via propeller pumps in the main tank.

My sun uses the same water source in his tank and does not ha=ve this problem so I do not thing=k it is the water. Unlike his tank my was started with about 180 lbs of live rock from java that brought in the algae.

Miy lights are multispectral LED banks less than 1 year old. Lights are on for about 12 hours per day and then the 30 gal fuge is lit on an opposite cycle.

The turf scrupbber is an interesting idea. I had one in the past and decided to try a skimmer this tme. I found that the turf scrubber eventually ran out of omph as the tank was stocked unless you could keep expanding its size.

The other thing I have notice=d is that even with stable water parameters at Ca 450, Mg 1360, Alk 8.2 I am not getting as much coraline algae growth as I did with my last tank.

Would you guys suggest a straight phosphate remover or using Chemipure?

Keep the questions / suggestions coming, I would really like to get past this, It's slowing down my coral additions. (althopugh all hard and soft corals are doing fine.

Mark

 

[Aquarist007]

IMO that looks like bryopsis which can be irradiated raising your magnesium over 1600 using Tech-M.
It has to be Tech-M however and that level is not harmful in anyway

 

[Aquarist007]

Heres a good thread on it

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2449423&highlight=bryopsis

 

[Daniel62]

I am going to say it's the rock then. I think it needs to be cooked. If the rock is leaching then you might go through a lot of phos. remover before you get a good handle on it. Yes a ATS could be a good option.

 

[Reefer140]

All that detritus under your rock is certainly fueling algae growth

agreed. might be worth getting in there and removing it the best that you can

 

[cabinetman123]

Algae turf scrubber. They rock!

 

[skeeter_ca]

Just how much cleanup crew do you have? How many snails, crabs? What kInd. Upping the cleanup crew could go along way to help. They don't last forever and if they aren't reproducing they need to be replaced.

skeeter

 

[Subsea]

Yes to reproducing CUC. I like calling them "The Janitors". The most common, if large substrate, would be amphipods, copepods, and bristle worms. I also like Florida Drawf Cerith Snails.
Patrick

 

[Lavoisier]

I'm curious why you would not consider an ATS. The other solutions you are considering are far more invasion and will require a significant amount of cost or labor?? :worried: