Some recent pics - forgive the lush green forest...

[Mr James]

Ya know. Algae is present in oceans across the world. I have a part of that ocean in my tank.... A little unsightly, but I don't mind.... I'm working on it though...

I got a bunch of the corals below from 60Cubed. He was gracious enough to send me a big box of em... Great stuff Lance!! Thanks!

A little before and after:

11-17-2007

06-21-2008

11-17-2007

6-21-2008

 

[Mr James]

A few more recent shots:

Any Ideas on this one:

A few frags laying around...

 

[Mr James]

Lance, these are the ones you sent to me:

...and the Wal-Mart frag holder I use temporarily....

And my favorites!!

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

holy algae. Do you use RODI??

 

[Mr James]

Yeah, I know. That's why I have been reluctant to post pics. I use RO/ Double DI. Instant Ocean salt, minimal feeding, heavy skimming (or as heavy as a meshwheel can do), PhosBan reactor (need new media at the moment), etc... I'm even dosing vodka....

I am thinking I may need to boil the rock. Or I may have something wrong with my water storage system. I question how deionized my DI water really is. I am open to suggestions.

EDIT: Also have my 40g fuge. I am questioning how useful it is. My chaeto is growing just fine, but I still question how well it's doing to reduce the HA. Going to get some sand and try a DSB in a bucket theory.

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

Well if you are double DI the water that would make me think you are fine. Do you use i TDS meter? If so what is your input in and out?

How about how is your snail population and how big is the tank? I personally feel you should have two snails for every gallon if you have an algae problem. Fuge is great for natural filtration but i dont think it may play with the hair algae problem because your coral all looks very healthy.

Boiling the rock may be a little drastic. I feel there are alot of other things that may be causing it.

I had a hair algae outbreak and detrus all at the same time and it was cause i didnt change my bulbs, i really feel if you dont change them every 6 to 9 months it can easily cause it, and i am referring to halides and pcs or t5/s depending on what you are using. I remember feeling like it was a lost cause but it will come around. I will see what you say to my questions and we will go from there but i feel i can point you in the right direction to get rid of it.

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

Oh yeah by the way i see some sps i plan on trying to get frags from you some day from. The blue tort is beautiful and the purple chalice, some real great color there.

 

[Mr James]

by MN. Reef crzy
Well if you are double DI the water that would make me think you are fine. Do you use i TDS meter? If so what is your input in and out?

I use a TDS meter. 160ppm in and 0 (at most times) out. The problem I run into is my DI storage container, a Rubbermaid Brute. My TDS tests higher after being in there. I know it's not right out of the tap, but I thought it should be able hold it's value?!?

by MN. Reef crzy
How about how is your snail population and how big is the tank? I personally feel you should have two snails for every gallon if you have an algae problem.

I have some snails, but I am not a fan of numerous snails. What happens when your algae disappears?? Snail die off?? Then more algae?!? I have a few, but not hundreds. Crabs too. Got them for a pretty smoking deal if you ever want to know...

by MN. Reef crzy
Fuge is great for natural filtration but i dont think it may play with the hair algae problem because your coral all looks very healthy.

It should. The fuge, if big and healthy enough, should be able to control, if not remove the amount of nutrients in the tank.

by MN. Reef crzy
Boiling the rock may be a little drastic. I feel there are alot of other things that may be causing it.

It's definitely a last resort. And then I wouldn't even boil it, I'd just slowly switch it out with new stuff.

by MN. Reef crzy
I had a hair algae outbreak and detrus all at the same time and it was cause i didnt change my bulbs, i really feel if you dont change them every 6 to 9 months it can easily cause it, and i am referring to halides and pcs or t5/s depending on what you are using. I remember feeling like it was a lost cause but it will come around. I will see what you say to my questions and we will go from there but i feel i can point you in the right direction to get rid of it.

You want some frags?? Help rid me of the HA and you can have some!!

 

[GoingPostal]

Nice frags Mr. James. Sorry about the algea issue, kinda makes you lose joy in the tank, at least it did me back when we had problems. I did lots of water changes and switched out my substrate but I had crushed coral. I assume you tried killing the lights for a while? Kinda hard with the sps though I suppose.

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

how about your bulbs and i dont feel your tds should go up and i think that could be alot to blam. Do you have a small tank you can try for awhile i am sure you dont evaporate more than 2 gallons a day and you wont need much size to do some testing? Snails die but if you find some for a buck i will buy them for my system if the eliminate algae if you can find a deal for around a buck or so a snail.

 

[Mr James]

I know of a place that has snails for less than 50 cents.

Hey Postal. It's not bumming me yet because I haven't lost any corals. It's actually kind of fun to go back to the basics and deal with the HA. Much better than red bugs, believe me!! I am questioning my flake food and the TDS of the make up water. I plan to investigate the TDS for sure.

MN Reef. I am going to get some new bulbs after all. I was hoping to avoid that, but it looks evident that it will need to happen. Kinda sucks too, I had never been a proponent of old bulbs equal HA. We'll see. What are you suggesting witht eh small tank?? I don't get it?!? I have a 20g I could use, but it would need to have the lighting and calcium reactor hooked to it. Are you possibly saying to move the SPS and kill the HA in the main?? Ahhhh!! That may be a valid thought. I was looking to get rid of the 40g breeder anyway.... Hmmm.

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

im suggesting to get rid of the brute for a bit and have the water sit in a small acrylic tank and watch the tds out of that for awhile. It needs to be zero or you are only feeding the problem, and if your bulbs are over a year old that is not helping your problem at all. I know they are a large financial commitment but that is what this hobby is and your coral will grow so much faster.

 

[blennieluvr]

Nice frags James. I love the ric! Nice color on most of what you got!

I'm now reminded that bulbs are also on my order list. I need to figure out which ones we're getting.

 

[Mr James]

I am going to go with 14k's this time around. I have been a 10k fanatic forever, but change is in the air.

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

I also am planning on two 14k's and one 10 k

 

[Mr James]

Can't wait to post a pic of my new skimmer. Might see it as early as next week. For all you skimmer nuts, you're gonna pee!!

 

[MN. Reef crzy]

well i already saw it and it is pretty sweet!

 

[KADLETZ]

nice green set up james, god i wish i could write your memware. think it would go like this, MR. james-- the teacher, the helper, you owe me, thats not the rules. james, you rock nice set up!!!

 

[Mr James]

by KADLETZ
nice green set up james, god i wish i could write your memware. think it would go like this, MR. james-- the teacher, the helper, you owe me, thats not the rules. james, you rock nice set up!!!

Start with learning how to spell "memoir" Kadletz!! Then step back, read your agreement with RC and don't post here.

I don't want this thread to get shut down, so it's best you stay your distance. I see what is going on in your forum and I don't want that kind of trouble here. I also see you are not allowed to send PM's. That spells trouble.