Fish Only keepers with NO live rock...

[giants4pc]

Since I have minimal experience with this, can you please help. I am helping someone who has a 300 gallon display with a 100 gallon sump. The inside is a "stucco/hard plastic/rigid" cave structure with rubber coral. Bioballs are kept within the tubing from the overflow down into the sump. There is a protein skimmer and a fluidized sand filter system (something like that). NO LIVE ROCK. This tank was professionally installed. No matter what I have tried over the past several months, nothing does away with the red slime like greenish algae. I have maintained thriving reefs for years - never with this problem.
Can anyone recommend what to try? Parameters test well. I know the pc bulbs are old but I am going to be replacing them - that can't be the problem. Should I put some other type of media in the reactor besides the sand? Any info at all?

 

[R.W.]

could it be the bioballs?

 

[lendz]

Maybe it's Cyano bacteria?

 

[MeskeetDog]

Never heard of Bioballs in the tube to the sump, but it sounds like you have a nitrate problem if you are growing red algaes. I think the only trick to fixing this is a HUGE water change or a chemical bomb/treatment. Are you running carbon or some sort of waste neutralizer or absober? what about a protein skimmer? what kind of water are you using? Tap water. i know these might seem elementary but sometimes people forget the basics

 

[prime311]

What are Nitrate and Phosphorous levels at? Improved water flow in the areas of growth should help as well as better or less lighting.

 

[johno4]

We are going to need to know what all the water paramerters are especially nitrates and phosphates. How long has the system been set up?

 

[giants4pc]

Thanks for the help -
Parameters are great - nothing is detectable. I use RO water that I use on my other reefs - all algae free. I do run carbon as well.

 

[prime311]

If the flow/lighting doesnt do the trick, you can add a refugium and put some macroalgae in it. Even though your Nitrate levels are good, this might be in part because the algae growth is using it. The macroalgae will contend for the resources and help prevent the bad cyano/algae growth.

 

[welsher7]

have you tried to backwash the sand filter?

 

[johno4]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12718821#post12718821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by giants4pc
Thanks for the help -
Parameters are great - nothing is detectable. I use RO water that I use on my other reefs - all algae free. I do run carbon as well.

Water parm. could be great b/c the algae is using it up to survive. Your best bet is to add a fuge to the system to outcompete the other algae for the nutrients. You might also want to consider removing the bioballs as well.

edit: if you add a fuge you should make an attempt to manually remove the algae from the display to give your macro a chance to get the nutrients.

 

[reefer334]

Sounds like cyano bacteria as stated above.

You can buy a medication for it and it works well.


HTH


Chris

 

[saltyESQ]

When I have been forced to do hypo and take out all my rocks, my fish never looked good. As soon as my rocks were put back in the tank my fish looked healthy again.

 

[giants4pc]

I think I found the root of the problem. It has a fluidized filter bed in the sump that was clogged. The sand was barely tumbling. I cleaned it out and turned up the flow - couldn't believe what came out of there. Hopefully it will continue to improve.

 

[MeskeetDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12750243#post12750243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by giants4pc
I think I found the root of the problem. It has a fluidized filter bed in the sump that was clogged. The sand was barely tumbling. I cleaned it out and turned up the flow - couldn't believe what came out of there. Hopefully it will continue to improve.

That would do it! That Nitrate was not getting consumed fast enough i bet. Good find and good luck now.