Help needed. Algae problem.

[CoMMaNdeR]

Guys, I am worried about my tank and inhabitats because I am dealinh with a hair algae problem that is winning me slowly slowly.

It seems that water changes are not helping me either, the water parametres seem to be not bad.

PH - 8.4/8.5
SG - 1.024
Temp - 28
Amm - 0
No2 - 0
No3 - 5
ALK - 3.5meq/l

Hair algae is taken all over the tank, rocks and sand. I am manually removing it with hands after switching all the pumps but today I noticed that there are patches anywhere.

My skimmer is always working, I have a turboflotor Aquamedic that is pulling alot of bad stuff.

Guys I don't know what to do really, I really need your help please. Help me and my fish/corals and invertebrates..

Thanks

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Forgot to say that I noticed that I have some detritus that is attaching to the live rocks and in different areas around the tank.
I think it is not a matter of circulation because in my 180g tank I have 3 Tunze, 2 are 6060 model and the other one is a 6080 model.

 

[Reefrus2003]

What is your PO4?
You might find a sea hair and put in the tank also they will mow down hair algae, they trade him back to someone when it is cleaned up.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

I didn't test the phosphate levels but last time I checked was below 0.5

What sea hare do you suggest or all of them are good?

 

[Anemonebuff]

How old is the tank?

 

[Reefrus2003]

One like this Dolabella auricularia
Here is a link to a picture http://www.janetsreef.com/sea_hare.htm
I know a couple of LFS here usally carry them or you can find them from online sources.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

The tank is nearly 8 months old

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Guys does anyone uses Seachem products such as PHOSGUARD or MATRIX to eliminate PO4 or DE NITRATE to eliminate NO3?

Are they good for a reef tank ?

 

[Reefrus2003]

I have used them before, I use Kent De-Nitrate, and Seachem X-Phosphate, I run them in a 42 and a 75 gallon tank because I do not run a wet dry in these tanks, I do not use them in my reef because my PO4 and Nitrates run nil there.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

But are they safe to use in a reef tank?
Guess yes right ?

 

[Reefrus2003]

Yes they are reef safe, when doing tests if I show any positive results on Nitrate or PO4 I will run some.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

The Seachem Phosguard is reported to leach aluminium in the water and many people said that corals and invertebrates react very badly to it.

Is this true?

 

[druce]

...interesting, I just started to use this stuff - now 'm paranoid. FWIW I haven't seen any "ill" effects so far and I've run it for about 3 weeks straight now.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Yes guys,
Randy Holmes don't reccomend PHOSGUARD because it contains Aluminium ioxide and silicon that both are toxic for invertebrates if leached in our reefs. Also he recommend the Rowaphos and Salifert’s Phosphate Killer and says that both are safe to use.

Please check this site: LINK >>

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Who uses one of these products guys?
Also can be made in a canister filter for better performance?

 

[druce]

greeeeeaat, now you tell us

Thanks for the info - any suggested suppliers for the above mentioned phosphate removers?

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Guys, strange thing for me.

It is said that Hair algae feeds on excess nutrients like PO4 and NO3 but today I checked them using the JBL test kit.

PO4 = 0 and N03 = 1mg/l

If I don't have high nitrates and PO4 on what is the hair algae feeding and growing?

My bulbs are also new, and now I decreased the lights on for about 6 hours from 8.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

bump ?!

 

[mwareing]

help

help

Ok, i have had the same problem.....i nearly sold the tank and contents and thought this is the worst purchase i have ever bought......THere is light at the end of the tunnel....Ok its taken me 2 months to get it sorted but god i have a smile now and love my tank. So what to do. Im not saying its right but it worked for me:

1) Lights 8 hrs
2) Rhoha phos change every 2 weeks
3) Take as much out by hand
4) Run A good quality Carbon every month
5) Buy more Critters. (how many do u have?) I have found red hermits to be the best. They want be able to eat the long hair algai, but when the new start thy will.
6) If you have a sump with filter wool. Change this every week to keep the dieing algai out of the tank.
7) Dont do a water change weekly. Leave it for a month so the nutrients get less and less.
8) You should see a difference and will see the algai slowly dieing and not re growing.

Hope this helps....I know how you feel as its so frustrating. Hang on in there.

P.S i still have a bit of algai, but hay im not looking at a green mess now!

Good luck!

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

What carbon do you run ?

Which carbon is best guys ?