Cyanobacteria/Algae Problem

[Alknew182]

I have a 90 gallon reef tank with some sps, lps, and softies. It has been up and running for 6 months now. Over the last week I am getting a lot of brown hair like algae. I am also getting cyano patches growing on the sand mixing with this brown algae. Is the brown hair stuff also cayno? What can I do to get rid of this problem?

I will try to get some photos tomorrow when the tank lights come on.

Can't seem to find the source of fuel for this. My tank parameters are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrates - 0
PH - 8.0-8.2
Alk - 7 DKH
Cal - 420-440
Phos - reads 0, but I believe due to the algae it can't be the case.

I use Ro/di water with tds of 0.

My system is a 90RR with a 30L sump, carbon and gfo reactor, 2 400 micron filter socks, reef octopus 150 Int skimmer, currently only running 1 MP40QD planning on adding another one in a week or so.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Shinte305]

man oh man I went through the EXACT same thing. my tank was 5-6 months old perfect parameters and I was getting brown algae all over with patches of red. i was told it was part of the cycling process and to get more snails which i did. and to blast the cyano with a turkey blaster and clean away as much algae as possible. i did this for about another 2 months, than the cyano and brown algae went away completely. and green algae started coming out, the next step in cycling basically.

 

[CuzzA]

Cyano grows where there is less flow. Add the second pump and I bet it will go away shorty after. Maybe a month or so.

400 micron socks aren't doing anything for you. I use 25 micron and change them every day to every other day.

What are using to test PO4? Standard test kits won't work. You need a Hanna Checker. I would also confirm through a second source your other test results. I don't believe your nitrate result is accurate.

Being that this is a new tank, it's going to take some time. But what type of rock did you buy and how did you prepare it for your tank? It may be leaching phosphates and your GFO is being exhausted very quickly.

 

[Alknew182]

I used BRS dry Fiji rock, and soaked it in to/di eater for 3 weeks. Changing the water every Friday. I tested the watered for phosphates before each change, and did not have any. So I figured it was good to go. At the same time I did not learn about he Hanna checker until after I had the tank up and running. It is possible that the rock is leaching some.

I read somewhere that cayno like the red and green light spectrum. I have 2 AI Hydra 52 over the tank, and turned the Reds and greens completely off for now. Hopefully that will help a little. I have also cut the lights down from about 45% to 30%. I have been trying to suck the stuff out when I do water changes, but t always seems to come back.

Currently I am using API for a test kit. I have the Hanna tester in order, should be here on Monday. I am going to take some water over to the local fish place to have it tested. I will report back with their readings.

Thanks guys!

 

[Devaji108]

you can also run an ATS (Algae turf scrubber) make a up flow ATS for your simple sump cheap and effective.
good luck.