algea issue

[richg315]

Although ive had both of these types of algae before, for some reason I have hair and bubble algae that just wont go away. First i replaced my ro/di filter and media. The tds reading is anywhere between 1 and 10, which i hear is good enough for a marine tank. I have been using carbon media, switching the bags every couple weeks to rid the tank of pollutants. Although i have been slacking on water changes, they also do not seem to help. Can someone point me in the direction of a remedy? Maybe reduce lighting schedule? new bulbs? Any help is appreciated!!!
Rich

 

[Sir Edward]

I had the same issue last year, tried everything that you had. I even purchased a phosban reactor, still the same problem. It was the lights! My bulbs were a year old, I put new bulbs in, within 1 week, everything began to clear up and after 2 weeks, all the bubble and hair algae was gone. It's crazy how so many things can cause an algae bloom, just got to try one thing at a time. Maybe the lights are your culprit too. I hope my info helps.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

TDS sound fine.
Are you running a skimmer and/or a lit refugium with macroalgae?

 

[richg315]

Gary,
I am not running a skimmer, just carbon in a HOB filter. Just waiting for some free time so i can set up a sump and have some room for a skimmer. I'm starting to think that my bulbs are ready to be replaced. How often should i replace my bulbs?
Rich

 

[teamdulski]

Depends what your lighting is, but replacement every 9-12 months should be good enough.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

must
get
skimmer

reefkeeping 101:
skimmer should be purchased BEFORE lighting

 

[GMaquarium]

Along with carbon try running some gfo to take care of phosphate. Without a skimmer and gfo your aquarium has been collecting phosphate. Not having a refugium and not doing good size routine water changes means your aquarium may have high nitrate. The two main components that fuel algae. changing to new lamps before taking care of the nutrient issue will result in much more algae. Although old bulbs are knowns to spark up some algae, you can only blame them in a low nutrient tank. For now test nutrients and work on lowering them.

 

[richg315]

thanks everyone for the input....building a sump as we speak so i have room for a skimmer.....
Rich

 

[richg315]

one more question.....would i be better off to ditch the HOB filter w/ carbon for a HOB skimmer until i get my sump built?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

one more question.....would i be better off to ditch the HOB filter w/ carbon for a HOB skimmer until i get my sump built?

I vote no- keep it running until the sump and skimmer are up and running.

 

[LUCKYLATO]

what does gfo stand for

 

[Paradiddle7]

Granular Ferric Oxide. Go to www.bulkreefsupply.com and watch their videos.

Emerald crabs and rabbitfish have always taken care of my bubble algae and I had quite a lot before I added them. My rabbit fish is the kind with blue stripes.

 

[Willistein]

Think about it like this: in a low nutrient tank with skimmer and GFO running and a water change every month at least, it doesn't matter what bulbs you have, you won't get algae. Definitely get a skimmer. I tried skimmer-less for several years with smaller tanks and did water changes but I never had good success until I skimmed.

Also, the carbon is probably not doing much for you, try running GFO.

Give us some tank specs and we can help recommend stuff.

 

[richg315]

Tank Specs:
40 breeder
4x36 tek t5 fixture w/stock bulbs (lighting schedule 8hrs/day)
Aquaclear 70 for carbon (ive been changing carbon once a week for past month)
45lbs liverock
1 clownfish
assorted lps/sps corals

I upgraded tanks from a 29 to the 40br a few months ago and i do understand that new tanks go through algae issues. I'm going to order a skimmer tonight and have been working on a sump so i have more room for equipment. I used to be very good about water changes but due to the warm weather haven't been as good as I have been in previous months. Thanks to all who have responded your input is much appreciated!!!
Rich