Reef Problem Please Help

[Eric Messenger]

I have a problem in my tank and need some help. Water quality is perfect, no ammonia, no nitrates, no nitrites, no phosphates. Lights are 2 150w 20k, 4 T-5 actinic, uv sterilizer 25w, asm g-5 skimmer, 2 koralia 600 gph, 1 koralia 400 gph powerheads. There is tons of hair algae and now, the hair algae is now covered with brown diatoms and it looks like gas pockets underneath the diatom algea/slime. Corals are starting to look bad, fish are healthy. I have no idea what is going on. I got a sea hare and many turbo snails they are doing a good job, but how do i get the problem to not come back so quickly. Thanks

 

[Jah2707]

I first thing I would do is check your water source. Where do you get your water from? Have you replaced your filter recently? How about your lights. Are they old? There is a hundred different things it could be but I would start with these.

 

[aquaconnect]

Algae normally occurs when phosphates are in the water. I'd get a phosphate reactor. I know that there are tons of test kits for phosphates, but most can't read small amounts, and that's all it takes in a reef. Also, bulb age could be a factor, as well as if it gets indirect/direct sunlight. Frozen food should be replaced every 4-6mts as well, because even though it is frozen, it still breaks down. Another thing is that you might want to turn off the UV for a while, because it could be killing off the good bacteria that helps metabolize the products that cause algae in the first place. The last thing I can think of is dkh. Sometimes that can dip and cause an algae bloom. Good luck!

 

[DeLong20]

Everything that everyone has said is good info but, don't forget to do water changes with good quality r/o filtered water.

The water in this area is super high in phosphates. Even though your test kits may show zero phosphates, that dosen't mean that there are none. It may be that the algee in the tank is using all the phosphates as food and not leaving any for the test to detect. (hope this makes sence, it does in my head). So, in short, before buying an expensive piece of equipment, try doing weekly some water chages.

 

[Eric Messenger]

I already have a phosban reactor and i have been doing water change after water change. I get my water from Cichlids and Salt. I will try and turn my UV off instead for a while.

Thanks for all your help

 

[tbrill]

The water you are getting at Cichlids and Salt is only DI water from a cation bottle. It isn't as pure as you need it to be. I'm pretty sure a cation bottle doesn't remove phosphates. You should get an RO/DI unit at home and make your own water. Things will be a lot easier for you that way, no running after water, plus, you'll have a better end product. Sounds like you already have a lot of nice equipment, it would be a good investment for you.

 

[triggerjay]

Have you actually tested the water from C&S?

Jason

 

[Eric Messenger]

Hey thank you guys so much, my tank is beautiful now, i went to Las Vegas and had some people taking care of my tank, the tank is back to normal, coraline algea growing, algea all gone except for about 95%, corals coming back out, fish happy as hell, thank you all.

 

[hambandit]

what did you change?