What Temp is ur Tank at???

[MileHighFish]

i have always ran my tanks warm 81-82.. the coral does very well..but lately the hair algae is taking a foot hold.. i run a phos reactor and no2 is 3ppm.. could it be a temp issue??

 

[silverwolf72]

I doubt it. Problem with nitrates is if there is something that can use them you can't measure them

 

[MileHighFish]

i run a fuge.. i started to use a coral food.. i wonder if thats has added the xtra nutrients that caused this?

 

[atvdave]

I keep my tank about the same, and really have never had a hire algae problem. In fact in the summer my temps get to 84 & 83 area range.

You may need to get rid of your PO4 a bit better. What type of PO4 media are you using in the reactor?

Also how long do you run your lights?

 

[MileHighFish]

phos-ban... i'm open to try something better.. i run the vho's 12 hours.. i have cut back the use of the MH's to 5 hours.. all bulbs are less then 6 mnths old

 

[silverwolf72]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13508281#post13508281 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g stone
i started to use a coral food.. i wonder if thats has added the xtra nutrients that caused this?

I think this might be the issue more than the light or heat

 

[atvdave]

I'd test for PO4, our let your LFS do it for you. I don't think the lights are a issue, but something I do from time to time is I will keep my tank in the dark for 1 to 3 days to help kill off unwanted algae.

But the only thing I know is, with out PO4 algae can not grow.

 

[MileHighFish]

i now live in new mexico.. there is no LFS's.. there is only 1 all saltwater store in the state.. and its not very good..

 

[MileHighFish]

i guess i need to open a store!! lol

 

[greenbean36191]

81-82 isn't warm for reef animals and it has nothing to do with your recent algae problems.

Whether you can measure it or not, there is clearly a nutrient issue. At this point there's really no need to test. The presence of algae is a better indicator than any test kit.

 

[Barney_Googles]

I had the same issue when I decided to "feed" my corals. I felt that I needed to do something else to help the growth and shortcut time and patience. I fed my small reef (33 long) phyto and noticed a major increase in algae growing on the glass.

I never fed again and never will for that matter. Water changes and light seem to do just fine. My fish poop alot so that should suffice for recycled nutrients.

 

[Mykel Obvious]

+1 to Greenbean... algae is a nutrient issue (though hair algae is considered one of the hardest to "starve" from what I've read)

I run my tank 81-84F FWIW and I'm not scared to see 85-86F on the hottest days of the year... rapid growth of all SPS even with the "wrong" lights (384w PC fixture) and nutrient problems as well...

I'm working on my own nutrient issues to kill off ALL macro (you name it, I've got it)... too bad my yellow lined cardinal is unable to fend for himself off the rocks and is a picky eater besides... have to feed him daily to keep the sunken belly away...

Upgrading to a 120 gallon tank soon, and will upgrade lights and skimmer at that time... I think my biggest issue was too small a skimmer on setup, and not enough willpower to wait before stocking the tank with frags and fish... I think I'm falling into the "no skimmer is too big for your tank" camp I'm gonna stuff the best one I can afford under the 120 and skim the bejezus outta the water

 

[lbj]

i keep miy tank about 76f-78f

 

[tbar]

Try to stay around 77-79

 

[MileHighFish]

thanks for the input guys..

 

[60Cubed]

Add a kalk reactor. It will get rid of it. I guarantee it.

 

[MileHighFish]

i dose with kalk.. everyday.. about 4 gals..

 

[sanababit]

in 365 days it will go as low as 75 and high as 85, i dont have a chiller.

sana

 

[cloak]

75-86 throughout the year. No problem.

 

[pararner]

Keep mine between 76-80 and no problems