Photo Period & Algae

[rickh]

I am continually fighting minor algae problems. I do all the right stuff, but still its there. Has anyone really had success with algae control by reducing the time the lights are on?? I currently run my T5s about 9 hours/day. Thanks. R

 

[WallyV]

Just what I have heard.

Just what I have heard.

Do you have a refugium? To encourage algae growth in the refugium rather than the display you can leave your lights on 24/7 in the refugium. I have a buddy that does this and I plan on doing the same thing in a few weeks when I set up my tank. This should reduce the amount of available nitrates that encourage algae growth in your display tank. Just my 2cents.
-Walter

 

[Mouse]

I have read of people having results by leaving the lights off 3 days out of the month, perhaps try this?

 

[Aquarist007]

Re: Just what I have heard.

Re: Just what I have heard.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848405#post14848405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WallyV
Do you have a refugium? To encourage algae growth in the refugium rather than the display you can leave your lights on 24/7 in the refugium. I have a buddy that does this and I plan on doing the same thing in a few weeks when I set up my tank. This should reduce the amount of available nitrates that encourage algae growth in your display tank. Just my 2cents.
-Walter

I agree---nitrates and phosphates are the food or fuel for algae. Control the import of these and you control the growth of algae.

 

[rickh]

I do all the right stuff

I use RO water, perform weekly water changes, have a refugium, a PO4 reactor, wash the food in RO water and feed the minimum. There are no delectable levels of PO4 , etc.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848748#post14848748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rickh
I use RO water, perform weekly water changes, have a refugium, a PO4 reactor, wash the food in RO water and feed the minimum. There are no delectable levels of PO4 , etc.

unfortunately its a simple truth here
if you have algae then you have nitrates and phosphates.
Sometimes the algae is consuming them as fast as they are being imported so you get unmeasurable test results

Have you tried raising your mag levels to 1600 ppm?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

capn,
what types of risks are you running by raising mag? will calc and alk drop? what about PH?

 

[ludiNano]

I believe the Ph effect of most mag supp. is near nothing.

 

[rickh]

I haven't tried dosing Mg, vodka, etc.
Maybe Holy Water

I can't find any threads discussing reducing the light, but I have seen them. I currently run the lights ~9Hr/day. The coral are doing great, but so is the nuisance algae.

 

[Toddrtrex]

What is the TDS of your RO/DI water?

 

[rickh]

0

 

[padgett152]

sounds like water movement might be an issue. it seems as though everything else is good. do you have a good amount of water movement? are there dead spots, and if so, this is probably where the algae is growing.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14848991#post14848991 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
capn,
what types of risks are you running by raising mag? will calc and alk drop? what about PH?

no risks----in fact alot of reefers advocate keeping the mag at 1400--their corals seem to do better.

I will get the thread link for you

 

[Aquarist007]

Here is the link to the thread using magnesium to fight bryopsis:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1113109

 

[ludiNano]

There is a thread on reducing photo period, but not to battle algea.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1582958

 

[rickh]

sounds like water movement might be an issue

The majority of the Byropsis/HA is directly in the path of the return!!

Thanks for the links.R

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855675#post14855675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rickh
The majority of the Byropsis/HA is directly in the path of the return!!

Thanks for the links.R

it just happens to like high flow

 

[rickh]

Well I read the threads. Thanks.
I reduced the lighting from 9 to 7 hours just for fun.

 

[ludiNano]

good luck