Too much Green Algea - Maybe?

[Ron Cote]

My 120g display/55g sump has been operating for 5 1/2 wks. I have added 8 frags over the last week and they are doing well. Livestock, who are also doing well, currently includes a Yellow and Kole Tang with 2 clarkiis. Spend about $200 on assorted snails and crabs over the past 3 weeks. Readings are and have been Ph 8.3, no Amonia, Nitrates, or Nitrites. I've limited my T5s to about 8 hrs a day.

My concern: I'm getting what I would consider is more green algea than I should, especially on the top halve of my tank's live rock and tonga branches . Maybe not!

Does this sound reasonable to you at this stage of my tank? Should I consider more criters? Or should grandpa, relax, watch a football game and let the Tangs and critters eat their little hearts out?

Thanks

 

[HighlandReefer]

What are your other water parameters (kH, calcium, magnesium, phosphate)? How many T-5's? Are your corals getting good flow?

 

[Ron Cote]

Corals are getting a good flow. 1 - Koralia 3 and 2 - Tunze 6055. Not sure abt those other parameters as I don't have the test kits for those yet.

 

[sps1-2-b]

Phosphate may be fueling your algae problem. A phosban reactor will eliminate phosphates, or incorporating macro algae (chaeto) will help also. IMO I would get a hold of the algae problem b4 it gets out of hand.

 

[HighlandReefer]

All of the water parameters are important if you want to grow corals. If your calcium is low, than the corals will stop growing and algae will start to build up on their surfaces. Usually the Kh and calcium will be depleted. Many of the Salt mixes do not have enough calcium & magnesium to keep up with demand & many do not provide enough to maintain natural seawater parameters in the first place. I forgot to mention testing for Salinity. For corals I usually recommend natural saltwater levels, 1.0264

If you are serious, IMHO buy these: pH meter, refractometer (salinity) & Salifert test kits.
:beer:

 

[HighlandReefer]

I would recommend that you read this basic article first by Randy Holmes-Farley: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

There are more articles noted in the Chemistry Forum which go into more detail.

 

[Ron Cote]

Thanks for the article. I plan to purchase an ACIII fm BRK. By the way I'm a WAMAS member (aka Lunker) Already have a refractometer and the salinity is at 1.025. Will need to get the extra test kits that I have yet to purchase. Again, thanks for the advice. Always appreciated.

Ron

 

[HighlandReefer]

Hey Ron!
Nice to see you on this board. You may get more results for some of your questions like this one in the Chemistry Forums. Randy Holmes-Farley's replies are very helpful there. I think I have read most of his articles. See ya at the next meeting. Hopefully you don't get lost. LOL