What to do about GHA?

[Mordir]

I admit I was bad, cheap and lazy for a long time. I used treated tap water for top off and was very bad about water changes (10% every 4-6 months bad). Today I purchased an RO/DI unit from BRS and a digital refractometer. I have a horrible amount GHA in my tank at the moment. I am hoping that topping off with RO/DI water and performing a 5% weekly change instead of my current practices will make a big difference.

• Should I start with 1 large water change to kickstart things?
• What %?
• Anything else I should immediately do or start with the RO/DI top off and regular changes for a few month first?
• How long before I will likely see a decline in the GHA?
• Any crash type scenario I should be concerned with as the GHA starts to die off?

 

[droog]

How big is the tank and how long has the algae problem persisted?

If you're in the mood for a massive clean-up operation, you can try removing a bunch of it by hand.

One "quick fix" is treating with AlgaeFix marine from API. There is a huge thread on this forum if you search for it. Some massive GHA algae tanks have been restored to beauty quite quickly. Could be done in a few weeks as long as you have a good skimmer and are comfortable dumping sterilizing chemicals into your tank - thats a personal choice.

RODI will help stop things from getting worse, but it won't by itself make things better very quickly. You need REGULAR 10-20% water changes for sure. Running GFO and/or carbon dosing may help - read up on those here.

Posting a picture will help. If its really bad, starting over with new rock and RODI water may be less work than trying to "fix" a problem tank - especially if it has persisted for a long time.

-droog

 

[Dan_P]

What are the phosphate and nitrate values?

 

[Denbf58]

there are a lot of ways to combat gha. it is going to take some time to get rid of it did not happen overnight so start with manual removal, run GFO cut back on feeding and light cycle
water changes 15-20% a week until you win the battle after that you can find a balance routine to keep tank looking good

 

[Jtk2010]

I'm having the same issue with GHA I've attempted everything!!!!! I just ordered a gfo reactor to help combat it

 

[Mordir]

Ok, so I am probably going to get looks from the wife once this stuff starts to arrive but I just added to the ordered items for the week.

BRS GFO & Carbon Reactor – Dual with MJ1200 Pump w/ Maxi-Jet Double Pack Prefilter
1/2 Gallon (3.5 lbs.) - BRS Bulk GFO - High Capacity
1/2 Gallon - BRS Bulk Premium ROX 0.8 Carbon
HMO-200 Finnex Heater (For RO/DI to salt mixing station)

Hopefully this helps get things going in the right direction.

How big is the tank and how long has the algae problem persisted?

240 gallons and 8 months or so.

What are the phosphate and nitrate values?

Not picking up anything on my tests. I am assuming the high volume of GHA is consuming it quickly.