Help w/ algae

[wsun083]

I have a 120G tank running for about 4 months now and only now am I encountering algae problems. I have tons of microbubbles throughout the tank, my sandbed is turning brown, and brown stringy algae is hanging from my LPS. There hasn't been any drastic change. Any suggestions as to why this is happening? Could it be my MH bulbs?

 

[Bebo77]

what are you phosphate levels?

what are you doing different, did you add more fish, light?

are you running carbon?

 

[BMitch]

How old are the MH bulbs?

Are you using RO/DI water?

 

[wsun083]

I have only used ro/di water. I wouldn't know how long the bulbs have been used. I have not changed the light patters nor have I added more fish. I am running seachem purigen, is that the same as carbon? Also, what causes these tiny microbubbles throughout the tank?

 

[Charles99]

if they're attached to the algae, it's from the algae itself.

 

[beefjerkygood]

Can you see microbubbles feeding your return pump (as in... in the sump area)? If not, maybe you have an air leak somewhere in the return plumbing. Also, check your RO/DI unit....when was the last time you changed the filters? Get a phosphate test kit..it should help you narrow down your source.