String Algae?????
- Thread starter 1gideon
- Start date
zoomfish1
New member
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074
Here is the link to the sticky thread at the top of the forum. I forget that not everyone has navigated thru all the forums.
Here is the link to the sticky thread at the top of the forum. I forget that not everyone has navigated thru all the forums.
Okay, I'd remove as much as is convenient by hand, and look to nutrient control to starve it out:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm
That often eliminates the problem.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm
That often eliminates the problem.
I have recently been battling a form of Diatoms alge, which looks a bit like this:
http://saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/Brown/diatoms/Diatoms2.htm
I can completely clear the tank and LITERALLY two days later the cand is completely covered. About ready to shut her down.
http://saltcorner.com/sections/guest/algaepage/Brown/diatoms/Diatoms2.htm
I can completely clear the tank and LITERALLY two days later the cand is completely covered. About ready to shut her down.
zoomfish1
New member
You need to attack the algea at it's source. Don't shut it down. First, consider your fish load and cut down on feeding. Every other day to start. Just what they clean up in a few seconds. I read somewhere many years ago that they only need a piece of food about the size of their eyeball.
Next, put a phos filter of some type in your flow, whether the filter cartridge (if you use one) or sump if you have one.
Next, a question. How long since you change your PC bulbs. If over about 8 months, that may be the cause, or at least, some of it.
Next, there are snails who will clean up the sand quite a bit. What kind of cleanup crew do you have. If you don't think it's enough, add more.
Finally, without knowing your water params, do a 20% water change every 5 days.
If you can get your nitrates and phosphates down, the algea won't have anything to eat and will die off. It took a while for the conditions to be ripe for algea, ait will take a while to cure the problem. Be patient, it will be OK.
Next, put a phos filter of some type in your flow, whether the filter cartridge (if you use one) or sump if you have one.
Next, a question. How long since you change your PC bulbs. If over about 8 months, that may be the cause, or at least, some of it.
Next, there are snails who will clean up the sand quite a bit. What kind of cleanup crew do you have. If you don't think it's enough, add more.
Finally, without knowing your water params, do a 20% water change every 5 days.
If you can get your nitrates and phosphates down, the algea won't have anything to eat and will die off. It took a while for the conditions to be ripe for algea, ait will take a while to cure the problem. Be patient, it will be OK.
Well I have a 16 gallon with only one clow fish in it, he doesn't eat so much. I have a powerfilter with a phos pad in it that gets nasty after about four days or so...I also have a BakPak 2 which I just emptied out the biggest one week fill ever. i just replaced my compact bulb last month. I have the nass and ast snail combos (not sure of the spelling) but maybe not enough of them. And I am a very faithful waterchanger. I change about three gallson a week. THis is why I am stumped. I think that I have been doing everything right. I guess this is just the nature of the beast. Thanks for letting me pick your brain.
