Lights = Red Algae? HELP!!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13306674#post13306674 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abulgin


For example, on a new tank with cyano (the OP didn't say how bad the outbreak is--some cyano is almost always present in any system), I personally would choose between (1) a nice sized fuge with Chaeto or (2) a Phos reactor, but not both. GFOs are very effective at removing phosphates, leaving little to none for Chaeto (or anything else for that matter) and I would not employ both unless I had been running one for a few months without success. I have actually been told by Bob Fenner that running both can increase cyano, because GFO is so good and cyano so hearty/competitive that GFO's removal of almost all phosphate will force the cyano to outcompete Chaeto and everything else for what's left.
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very interesting ---I felt it warranted a separate thread to discuss:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1467099
 
I've been doing some changes in my 75g reef and recenlty noticed some red cyano (I think) growing on the sand bed in the refugium. I placed some cheato and have been netting it up and taking it out of the tank when I see it. I too have3 high nitrates and phosphates and have been in a cloud as to where it is all coming from. I am planing on changing the skimmer to my larger CCS skimmer which I have been reading is a piece of crap.
 
My new Koralia #2's are supposed to get here tomorrow and I changed out my canister as stated above. My skimmer has been pulling more than usual but my tank is quickly still turning into a sea of red. I'm hoping that these new jets and some time will show me the love.
 
Hey dude,

thanks for your opinion. As my tank grows more and more red by the day I'm getting skeptical too.

As you mentioned the excess nutrients are coming from somewhere.
It's not over feeding.
It coulda been my canister filter... all that media is now out of the loop and running fresh floss and fresh carbon only.
It could be that my skimmer isn't strong enough. I'm not sure at this point.

But moving the water and trying to slowly fix these problems should let me know where the problem was right?
 
I do agree you needed more flow. if you are still using filter floss change it much more often they you where. it is catching all the larger particals of waist and such and just running clean water through dirty filters well you see what I mean. that is why I like filter socks they are reusable and easy to clean. I change mine every day and if I notice any new algea I even can change twice a day and it will be taken care of.

Good luck!!!

hope some of this helps you.

also check garf.org they have good info on what types of clean up crew will each each type of algea. you will need that info to get rid of stuff naturally.

Roger
 
this is all very helpful so thank you. Do you have a link for a cheap online place I can get some filter socks? My LFS's suck apparently. I really would just need one to run off of my overflow I think. They just seem huge and expensive but I would only want a small one. Shot in the dark there. Thanks again!
 
Thank you.

So I got my new Koralia's put in. Should these be both on opposite sides of the tank both angled at the front center of the tank glass? Or is there a better way?

I thought I read that somewhere but then I can't seem to find it to verify.
 
You need to start turkey basting that cyano and the reef rock--with the better flow it will get the crap the cyano is feeding on back into the water column where if can be filtered off.

Here is one strategy that has worked for a good number of reefers including myself

Increase the flow
Add a filter sock
Baste the rock and substrate with a turkey baster
Turn off the lights for three days
 
If its a new tank, my practice is to let it do its thing. All tanks that I have set up have gone through the cyano stage. I like to take the cycling slow, up to 3 months before adding livestock - fish, and have a tank up for about a year before adding sensative inverts. Just do your 20% water changes every two weeks, and be patient, and it will subside.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13345004#post13345004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ken_wied
If its a new tank, my practice is to let it do its thing. All tanks that I have set up have gone through the cyano stage. I like to take the cycling slow, up to 3 months before adding livestock - fish, and have a tank up for about a year before adding sensative inverts. Just do your 20% water changes every two weeks, and be patient, and it will subside.
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definetly with a new tank--good advice:cool:
 
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