serious algea issue...... need help.

[jimmak85]

I'll keep this as short as possible, having a really bad algae issue not sure whats causing it. 56 column tank, i use a coralife R/O unit, I have a marine-land skimmer making some dark greenish brown scum. dip strip says no nitrates but ill check tomorrow on a real test. The only thing i can think of is temp has been hover just under 90 and I don't feel like dumping 400 on a chiller but not sure how to keep tank cool. the first pic is after 3 days of complete darkness. thanks for any help, and if you want anymore specs or pics let me know...

 

[Bigcefa]

thats cyano do a search on it youll find plenty of info, but have you tried fans to cool the tank 90 degrees is way too hot

 

[gregr]

Get yourself a couple, or more, clip-on fans and point them at the surface of the water. You'll have a lot more evaporation but the temp will drop several degrees.

 

[tkeracer619]

90 is way to high.

You need to be treating for excess phosphates and check your RO TDS to confirm it is producing 0 tds.

 

[reeferstace]

Increase your flow and remove all the excess cyanobacteria that you can (siphoning). You can do a lights out period to combat the cyano short term. If, however, you do not identify and fix the cause it will likely return.

Also, your livestock will begin to suffer if you can't get the temp down.

 

[crvz]

the temperature is probably promoting the quickness to which the algae grows, but it is not the source of the issue. that does look like cyano, which will grow when you have too much of a nutrient load in the tank. consider ways to increase nutrient export (or limit nutrient import) as well as ensuring the tank/rockwork has adequate flow to help stymie growth. I would also suggest getting the tank temp below 85 (closer to 80 would be better). Start with some fans, they'll do more than you think.

 

[kissman]

add a clip on fan blowing across the surface of your water either on the display or sump. The algae is eating up the nitrates and phosphates thats why you are getting a zero reading. If you have algae you have nitrates and/or phosphates.

 

[dogstar74]

Your excess nutrients could literally be coming from things dieing in temp that high. Don't forget that the danger of increased temp is not heat, but Solubility of dissolved O2. The fish will suffocate. So don't take the skimmer offline or you'll lose stuff to lack of oxygen. I agree with the fans.

 

[jimmak85]

thanks for the tips everyone, I'll be buying a few clip on fans tomorrow and the tank is already lights out and covered. I been turning on the actinics for maybe an hour at night just to see how things are in the tank. Is it possible to make R/O ice cubes to put in the sump out of desperation to cool the tank down?

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I would put the ice in bags so you don't change your salinity too much.

 

[jimmak85]

I've been using frozen 20oz. Water bottles but it doesn't bring the temp down much. I only use 2 cause that's all that will fit in the sump and they melt pretty quick, but I'll try the fan trick this weekend and report back lol. Thanks for everyone's help