Egg crate

[swayd]

So my question is how in the heck do you guys keep egg crate clean? I'm so done with algae and am so close to shutting down the tank and selling the new tank and equipment I am in the process of setting up.

I can't for the life of me get rid of algae. Nitrates are at about 5ppm, nitrite 0, ammonia 0and phosphate at less than 0.5ppm. I run rox for carbon and gfo from brs. I skim and do 20% water changes but the only thing that keeps getting algae is the damn egg crate.

I am only running a 100g Rubbermaid with nothing else other than a skimmer and dual reactor, both at 90%, and I only get algae on the damn egg crate. It's long fuzzy algae similar to dinos and hair algae.

Other than algae being an issue, I'm struggling with the energy consumption and water consumption. Im at about 250 on electricity just for the reef and 60 for water a month. With a newborn and wife out of work for a while this is all weighing really heavily on me and after seeing the algae starting to take over I've lost hope.

Also the biggest factor is that I run 19 preices of equipment off of one outlet because my garage only has one power outlet and I run an orange power extension to a dj power strip that then runs my entire tank. With a newborn in the house I feel very uncomfortable doing this now.

Sorry for the rant but I literally don't know what to do anymore. Im strongly considering getting out of the hobby until I can properly and SAFELY run a system.

Any suggestions are welcome a d again sorry for going on and on.

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[swayd]

Even with algae coral are growing amazi g and color is decent. But here are some shots for reference.

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[BioRee]

What is the reading on your RODI water? I have similar problem when I used water from Safeway. Also put a tang or algae blenny might control it.

 

[swayd]

0ppm I change the media every 4 months and the RO membrane every year.

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[BioRee]

Do you dose? I remember you don't have any livestocks in the rubbermaid. I guess something might be leaching phosphate and nitrate.

 

[swayd]

I dose b ionic 2 part and have 9 fish and a clean up crew.

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[Mr2KiEu]

How big is your tank? Fluconazole works bro. Read up on it. I've got some to spare if your water volume isn't too much.

 

[swayd]

How big is your tank? Fluconazole works bro. Read up on it. I've got some to spare if your water volume isn't too much.

Tried that a while back and killed most of my coral. After talking to the wife I might just sell off a bunch of equipment and buy a smaller 60g system I can fit In the house and make safer than the one I am Currently running in the garage.

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[Daddi0]

I had issues with the egg crate and GHA. My solution was to get rid of it and add a sea hare. Why 19 pieces of equip.? I run 4 tanks in my garage and thats what I use. What do you really "need" to run a tank? You are running a skimmer, light, heater, and a couple pumps? I insulated my tanks to help with PGE. If you are close to Redwood City, feel free to swing by and take a look.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Daddi0]

You really need to get some insulation between the Rubbermaid and the floor and wrap it to hold the heat in.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

If that's Bryopsis, the only things I've had success with are Foxface and Fluconazole.

As far as keeping egg crates clean, I can't. Mine get so gummed up that I just swap them out every 6 months. I tried cleaning them once and it was brutal. Egg crate is so cheap, it's easier to just swap it out.

 

[marioensf]

White egg-crate is in my experience a magnet for algae.
Not sure if a sea-hare would be also a nice algae mowing addition.

 

[swayd]

2 powerheads
2 heaters
3 plugs for Ato system
2 plugs for lights
1 skimmer
1 pump for reactors
1 plug for ro/di
1 circulation pump for water change system
1 heater for water change system
1 doser
1 temp alarm

4 others that run every now and then like fans and extra pumps.

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[swayd]

White egg-crate is in my experience a magnet for algae.
Not sure if a sea-hare would be also a nice algae mowing addition.

Maybe I'll switch out to black egg crate.

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[Daddi0]

My sea hares didnt like egg crate

 

[Daddi0]

- If you insulate the rubbermaid you should be able to lower the current draw for heating.
- My ato just needs one plug for a Toms Aqualifter
- If you dose kalk w/vinegar through your ato you could get rid of the doser and reactors and as another benefit it will help rid the GHA.
- Maybe insulate your water mix station drum?
- I dont mix my own saltwater, I buy natural salt water and R/O. This way I dont have to pay for the pge to run heaters, power heads, and R/O, and it is always consistent. In the winter I keep a couple jugs in the house next to a heater vent.
Cheers! Mark

 

[Redcar802]

I'd say add tangs and Blenny unless you already had or try Fluconazole. Maybe dose less than recommended?
I have egg crate on my frag tank was having same problem like yours what I did is i added more snails and bio media. Idk what your running to house bacteria but when I added more real state for bacteria it worked. I do have 2 tangs when gha was at its worst I stop feeding nori. Maybe add more flow? I half *** read the comments so some of what i mention probably was suggested already. Good luck bro I'm sure you'll be able to fix this.
Also I did buy Fluconazole but never had to use it. I just added more clean up crew.

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[danreefman]

You sound like a young father with a lot more on your plate than a tank. Get rid of it and come back when your ready. I left the hobby 5-6 years ago. Struggling a little with finance two little ones. Focussed on family and work. Came back with a pocket full of cash, and bought whatever I want. To an extent. The only downside is I'm starting over again with little pieces. Not saying quit. Just sounds like you need a break.

Focus on family and money. And that 300 a month will be nothing. Just what I would do. And what I did do.

If your in a rut. Hobbies can sometimes have a way of keeping you there. As this hobby can be addicting as many drugs.

 

[Tkieu78]

Well said Dan!


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[swayd]

You sound like a young father with a lot more on your plate than a tank. Get rid of it and come back when your ready. I left the hobby 5-6 years ago. Struggling a little with finance two little ones. Focussed on family and work. Came back with a pocket full of cash, and bought whatever I want. To an extent. The only downside is I'm starting over again with little pieces. Not saying quit. Just sounds like you need a break.

Focus on family and money. And that 300 a month will be nothing. Just what I would do. And what I did do.

If your in a rut. Hobbies can sometimes have a way of keeping you there. As this hobby can be addicting as many drugs.

You're right! I think I need to take a break and come back when I'm a bit more stable.

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