lighting ?

[saltyj]

I am still slowly winning the battle against hair algae in the tank. I have changed my bulbs in my pc set-up (they were only 8mo old, but I changed them anyway) I have also cut back on the lights. The 400w MH is now on for 4hrs as opposed to 8hrs, 10k's 8hrs from 10hrs and the actinincs 10hrs from 12hrs. Will this help the situation. I have also begun to suction out a lot of the hair algae during water changes. Any other ideas would be appriciated.

Also Marcy the sea slug dissappeared shortly after adding him, could he be hidding or is he a gonner? That beautiful flame angel and the midas blenny have passed on as well. I think my CBS got the flame.

 

[MacnReef]

What kind of water do you use?

Mike

 

[saltyj]

RO

 

[MacnReef]

RO or RO/DI

 

[saltyj]

RO

 

[MacnReef]

Hmmm, what is your TDS? I would assume that you are still getting some phosphates through your RO system without the DI. This may be one source to the problem, if so, no matter what you do, if you are constantly adding phosphates with water changes and top off...it might be a never ending battle.

Test your TDS.

Otherwise, depending on tank size, you could get a foxface...that should take care of it.

Mike

 

[saltyj]

I have a foxface, a sailfin tang and a algae blenny and no one touches it. Also my TDS is around .1, I have used the same RO for years and I think the filter was too old for a few months and the hair algae blew up and now it is a matter of playing catch up.

 

[MacnReef]

I see. Try starving your fish...they should eat it...lol

Mike

 

[saltyj]

tried that too!!! LOL I don't feed NORI anymore in hopes of them eating it.

 

[Juck]

A TDS of 1 with a simple RO system is remarkable.

Spent or cheap bulbs can help algae get a foothold but they are not the source of the problem. You have to eliminate the excess nutrient in your tank. It's coming from your rock, sandbed or you're overfeeding.

So boil the rock & re-cure it, or buy some fresh rock.
Syphon, rinse and replace the sandbed
or cut-back on feeding, do big water changes and overskim.

My money would be on the sandbed. Buying a bigger clean-up crew or relying on a Foxface is a band-aid at best.