Will algae go away?

mangelo

mangelo

New member
Ok. I know I should have been using RO / DI water, but I didn't know then.

I have been using distilled until I get my RO / DI unit in. My question is will the algae die and fall off or will I have to scrape it off? I do have some cerith snails and blue legs hermits coming.

Any tips?
 
key components will help. refugium, skimmer, phosban reactor and ro/di. these are the tools for keeping reef params at levels that will discourage algae growth.
 
reduce its length: snails can't eat it when it's long. Use a toothbrush, wind and yank. Ugh. Been there. We all have.
If they can't get it, that means you have a LOT of spare phosphate and need a Phosban reactor or a fuge to get rid of it.
 
sorry if i didnt answer your question. the equipment is very effective thus causing it to regress. and with pruning you can get it under control.
 
ive heard of it being used in a media bag. get a second opinion cause ive never done it personally. but sounds like it would be effective to some degree.
 
I did get the Fluval Clearmax what used to be PHOS-X at the end of last week. I emptied my canister and added 1 filter pad, 1 media bag of carbon and one bag of the PHOS-X stuff.

This is the worst algae problem ever for me. It is so bad on the back of the glass because its too difficult to reach with a scraper and terrible hair algae all over my rocks.
 
Yep...get as much as you can OUT of the tank. EVEN a good clean up crew ( snails...crabs ) wont eat the long stringy algea.

Distilled water is not your problem . I used distilled water for a long time in my office BioCube untill I got my new RO/DI unit........ High phosphate is the cause for algea.

How much food are you feeding the fish....Over feeding can cause algea.......You should only feed the amount of food that will be cosumed by the fish within 5 minuits...any more will just fall & this will just bloom into algea.

Also how long do your have the lights on....????

The lights really should be on for 6 / 8 hours....The fish dont care if the lights are on....its the corals that need the light....BUT 8 hours a day with the lights........The lights & heat will breed algea
 
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Yes. I have corals. I leave my T5's on for 12 hours, MH for 8 hours. I feed my fish mainly brine and mysis shrimp. I do throw in a few pellets everyday. I do have 50+ of the Nassarius Vibex Snails that pop out of the sand and do their thing each time that I feed. I have a handful of hermits that are scavenging around also. I do have more of a clean-up crew on the way.

75 cerith snails, 50 blue leg hermits, and 10 red leg hermits.
 
Mangelo...dude..i'm in the same boat. Even after changing tanks, I'm still growing Algae. SK8 has been really helpful with his advice and litterally everything i've put into practice from his advice has worked!

I'm looking for a hand on Back refugium as phase one, a protein skimmer, and a phosphate reactor.

I have no idea how a phosphate reactor is set up or how the pump/water system is supposed to work on this. Anyone have any idea?
 
There's a ton of ideas here, and unkowns as well probably.

But have you thought of toning your photo period down? Maybe MH for 6 1/2 and T5 for 8 or 9 hours?

You'd be surprised what long light cycles will do to algae's ability to grow.

May I suggest a 48 hour no light period, followed by a 15% water change with fresh RO/DI water, and finally running GFO and fresh carbon.
 
I tried cutting my light cycle down as well...didnt help much. I think i need to just find a way to lower the nutrients in the water.
 
use ro water and do 10% weekly water changes.


also some tangs like the yellow tang are a helpful algae eaters
 
I didn't realize you could go 48 hours without light. Didn't think the corals would appreciate it much.

The T5's too? I didn't think they contributed much to the algae issue.

I am willing to try anything at this point. It is getting to the point of no return!!!

:(
 
Mangelo - do you have a refugium or a sump set up? I think we should trouble shoot this one together as we're in the same boat.
 
Cutting back the photo period will not solve the problem. To truly solve the problem you need to reduce the phosphate level in the tank. That's what is making the algae grow. Invest in a Phosban Reactor and GFO media. Don't let the term "reactor" intimidate you. They are simple devices that are easy to set up and work extremely well. You can get the reactor, media and a pump to run it for about $75 or less. Once of the best pieces of equipment ever invented, IMO.
 
No Kernboy. I have a canister filter.

seapug, Once I switch to RI / DO will I still need the PhosBan Reactor? What is GFO?

Thanks guys.
 
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