Water Flow/Circulation/Movement??

[Bsmith_SigEp]

I Need some ideas about my 75G....i have it stocked about 70% full of live rock and just restarted everything over a few months ago due to algae and purple mushrooms spreading uncontrollably.....I "Cooked" my rock and let it soak and all for a good month before putting back in my tank and starting fresh again basically. to the point

i have my overflow box on the left end of my tank with a hydor 1400 powerhead on the left end pointing towards the right end of the tank in the back area of my tank flowing behind my live rock....i have a hydor powerhead pump 1400 as well as a maxi jet 1200 on the right end of my tank ...one pointed 1/2 way up towards the top of the water of the tank to keep it moving towards overflow box and the maxijet pointed mid-to-bottom of tank to keep flow going......

i seem to still be having some dead spots in my tank without much flow b/c ive noticed a change of color in the sand in some of the spots and some of the hair algae growing in my tank and on some rocks after just restarting like 2 months prior.....its not bad yet...but mostly the hair algae is growing on my powerheads and the power cords to them????

and ideas on how to control this and stop the green hair algae??? do i need more flow??

From West TN Marine Club:
JABO-and me have been talking and he stated that RENDOS checked his RO water wtih a TDS meter and had a high rating.....mine was like 0.74 or something like that.......he stated that i need new RO Filters as this could be causing some algae issues?

all help would be appreciated.....Thanks!!

 

[VitalApparatus]

You using RODI water?

 

[Bsmith_SigEp]

Yes im using RO water.....

 

[Rudolph]

What are you using to reduce your P&N?

The typical list for reducing phosphate and nitrate in your system:
1) Reduce your fish feeding habits (most people enjoy feeding and overfeed)
2) Proper skimming (wet skimming helps)
3) Install a refugium with macro
4) Sulfate reactor for reducing nitrates.
5) Run GFO for reducing phosphates.
6) Dose a carbon source like vodka.

Some good articles:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...st2003/chem.htm"

 

[Rendos]

I would not suggest doing all of those at the same time. Choose one method and go with that. Skimming wet is a good start because that is not involving purchasing something new. Just adjust your existing skimmer to make the skimmate a little wetter. Reducing feeding is another that costs nothing.
Also - what type of lighting are you using? How old are the bulbs? What is your photoperiod? (How long do you run the lights each day)
Lastly - if your RODI is testing with a high TDS, then changing your sediment, carbon block, and resin would be advisable also.

 

[Bsmith_SigEp]

im using vho lighting...the bulbs are about 4 months old max.....i keep the lights on from 4pm till 11pm or a bit before.......

i did a water test tonight and the results are as follows:
ph-8.4
ammonia-0
nitrate-0
nitrite-0

i think my ro water is testing a bit high so looking at new filters and all i guess for my RO System.....and maybe a new clean up crew as stated by JABO....

 

[Bsmith_SigEp]

any other suggestions? still fighting this battle....cant seem to get ahead...im plan on getting new RO filters this week hopefully and possibly looking at a new clean up crew...

 

[Cldormer]

Smith...get the filters changed ASAP. Caruthersville has very hard water- I had to change my DI resin every 4 months and my RO filter every 9 months. Invest in a good TDS meter too. Kill the algae at the source which will be the make up water or your feeding habits.

On a side note the tank I just set up over here in Dyersburg went through a very, very small cycle. Our water here only has a TDS of 51-67ppm.....sometimes with a brand new RO/DI I could only get Caruthersville wafter down from @300ppm to 7ppm @ 55psi....which is yet another thing to check...your pressure the RO/DI is running at...lol.

Once you know you are making good pure water with 0TDS then mix a batch of saltwater and test it. Eliminate each step in your reefkeeping until you find the source.

I would be glad to stop by and see if I can't help ya trouble shoot it with ya. Just let me know.

 

[Bsmith_SigEp]

ordered me a new clean up crew again finally...been a year or so siince my last good crew.....spent about $120 bucks for one....should be here on Tuesday...anxious to see how well it will help with my hair algae problem......now i just need new RO filters...