ScreamingDingo
New member
Hey all,
I've been in and out of the hobby for a long time, but I'm posting here as I hope this is the right place to identify what I'd expect is a common nuisance that evades my google-fu. First, some history of the aquarium:
200 gallons, MARS LEDS, RODI, sump w/bio balls, protein skimmer, live rock with (a clown)fish
This aquarium has been set up for over a year. SG is at 1.024, pH runs 8.2, Nitrates essentially undetectable
When I first set it up, I ordered rock and sand from Marco Rocks. This was dry rock and sand. I aquascaped the tank, put the sand and rocks in, then cycled the tank with regular ammonia. All seemed well.
I then moved a couple of small pieces of live rock into the tank from a 29 gallon (that is still healthy today) with no real issues. I also added the clown.
And then the problems arose. I had an outbreak of what I believe I was able to identify as Spirulina, and eventually resorted to Chemiclean at 1.5x to control it. I also had a massive hair algae of a sorts that grew in large clumps. I successfully killed it with fluconazole.
However, the problems have not gone away. Even though the 29 gallon shows no signs of issues, I've had a third wave of problem growth. If I scrub the rocks, it comes off very easily and is picked up by the filter, but it continues to reemerge.
I have attached a number of photographs to hopefully aid in determining what is going on. Water changes, skimmer aggressiveness, phosphate removers ... nothing I have tried to this point seems to help. I also can't seem to get much coraline algae to grow, even though the other tank is absolutely covered with it. I have checked and maintained alkalinity and calcium levels as well, by adding those chemicals as necessary (Fosters brand).
I have a number of photos that might help identify it. It mainly grows under the lights, and not as much in shadows. It also grows on the overflows and on the tank glass.
I'd appreciate any assistance. Thanks!
I've been in and out of the hobby for a long time, but I'm posting here as I hope this is the right place to identify what I'd expect is a common nuisance that evades my google-fu. First, some history of the aquarium:
200 gallons, MARS LEDS, RODI, sump w/bio balls, protein skimmer, live rock with (a clown)fish
This aquarium has been set up for over a year. SG is at 1.024, pH runs 8.2, Nitrates essentially undetectable
When I first set it up, I ordered rock and sand from Marco Rocks. This was dry rock and sand. I aquascaped the tank, put the sand and rocks in, then cycled the tank with regular ammonia. All seemed well.
I then moved a couple of small pieces of live rock into the tank from a 29 gallon (that is still healthy today) with no real issues. I also added the clown.
And then the problems arose. I had an outbreak of what I believe I was able to identify as Spirulina, and eventually resorted to Chemiclean at 1.5x to control it. I also had a massive hair algae of a sorts that grew in large clumps. I successfully killed it with fluconazole.
However, the problems have not gone away. Even though the 29 gallon shows no signs of issues, I've had a third wave of problem growth. If I scrub the rocks, it comes off very easily and is picked up by the filter, but it continues to reemerge.
I have attached a number of photographs to hopefully aid in determining what is going on. Water changes, skimmer aggressiveness, phosphate removers ... nothing I have tried to this point seems to help. I also can't seem to get much coraline algae to grow, even though the other tank is absolutely covered with it. I have checked and maintained alkalinity and calcium levels as well, by adding those chemicals as necessary (Fosters brand).
I have a number of photos that might help identify it. It mainly grows under the lights, and not as much in shadows. It also grows on the overflows and on the tank glass.
I'd appreciate any assistance. Thanks!
