Algae problem ( VIDEO included ! )

[solpete]

I have this algae problem I recorded and put on video for you. Please help me !
Answer here or on youtube, you decide


the text I put on youtube:

Red Sea Max 130d with a lot of algae. Please help me identify what sort of Algae this is and how I can fight it. Also I would like some general input on my tank and also share some of my modifications that I did including evergrow 120d leds which are modified for automatic sunrise sunset dimming. tunze 9002 skimmer with media basket (empty basket though) with custom made cup.

Basically I got the algae problem after running the extra wave makers on timer. Sometimes both are off for like an hour with full lights on. I suspect this is ideal for algae growth. I do like to mimic all scenarios possible. Also during night between 0-6 am the two larger pumps are turned off. Perhaps I should not turn the two extra pumps off ?
Tank specs:

SALT : Red Sea Coral PRO
Age: 2-3 months
Water: RO since last 4 water changes (some old tap water still present probably)
Values:
Phosphates unknown
Silicates unkown
Ph 8.4
Alk. 12 dKh
nitrites 0.07 ppm
nitrates 4 ppm
calc 480 ppm
magnesium 1380 ppm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I1qHwgO8xvA#!

 

[keithhays]

I am pretty certain that is not algae, but cyanobacteria; a bacteria. Normally nitrites should be zero unless you are cycling. Cyano is photosynthetic. It will continue to grow with light and nutrients. Personally, I would run a non-antibiotic chemiclean like product, but you could also run GFO to reduce phosphates which are almost certainly fueling it.

 

[keithhays]

..btw, if you are registering nitrites, you nitrate reading is inaccurate.

 

[kissman]

Your nitrates and phosphates are higher than they are testing for because the algae will consume most of it. Start running HC GFO in a reactor start doing bigger more frequent water changes to lower nitrate. Are you using RO/DI water? If you are only using RO add the DI. RO only cleans a little out of water DI does the most. If you use cemiclean as soon as u stop the treatment start GFO. Chemiclean will kill the algae but not fix the problem and the algae will return

 

[solpete]

..btw, if you are registering nitrites, you nitrate reading is inaccurate.

Why?

 

[bmullikin1]

agree, gfo, carbon, ro/di is the best water to be using, how much do you feed, keep flow on all the time, just ramp it up and down, tank is still young, still cycling, maybe some mexican turbo snails as you seem to have multi algae's.

 

[keithhays]

Why?

Because many if not most nitrate test kits will first convert nitrate to nitrite and then measure nitrites inferring the amount of nitrate that was present to produce it. If Nitrite is already present you will incorrect readings.

In your case, kissman's evaluation is more relevent, but once you get rid of the bacteria (algae), if you still read nitrites, measure nitrites until zero and then begin measuring nitrates.

 

[keithhays]

Why?

Because many if not most nitrate test kits will first convert nitrate to nitrite and then measure nitrites inferring the amount of nitrate that was present to produce it. If Nitrite is already present you will incorrect readings.

In your case, kissman's evaluation is more relevent, but once you get rid of the bacteria (algae), if you still read nitrites, measure nitrites until zero and then begin measuring nitrates.