EmilyB,
The lights are NO daylights and 1 Actinic and 1 50/50, for a total of 160 watts. They are on for between 10-12 hrs.

Was gonna ask about your source water too. Just because nitrates and phosphates don't show up in huge numbers in the tank, doesn't mean the problem algae isn't being very efficient at using it up :biggrin:

If your bulbs are old, consider that as well, also getting your Ca and Alk in balance, and keeping it there will get the good coraline algae going and help diminish the bad.

And of course there is skimming, and there is SKIMMING.... :razz: :mrgreen:

EmilyB
R/O water from the purified water store here in Fleetwood. Lights are new. I have a seaclone 100 skimmer. From what I've herd, they are not very good. How much should I be getting from the skimmer? I get about 1/4" of brown sludge every 2-3 days.

I used to have one but it required cleaning and that became a hassle.
I don't notice a big difference without it.

I never met anyine named Marty I didn't like.

-Marty

The name says it all :mrgreen:
If they don't do much, how come the are in every store?? An idea that never took off I guess.

No, they are just still trying to get rid of them before people find out how horrible they are.... :mrgreen: :razz: :lol:

Algea problem is only and only one ting. To much nutriment in your water.
UV will not export any nutriment but only kill free algea cell that live in the water

UV are sterilizer and will kill everiting that will came in!!! you have a reef and your water need need to be full of life it is the naturale cycle of your reef and the way marine life is. UV are not only useless but even break a lot of natural phenomen

If you have algea you have to export nutriment

good skimmer,polyfilter,water change,Use RO water only,caulerpa,hight PH.......

PS: medication are pita just like UV

Do people ever have problems with the UV sterilizer killing plankton?

Megalodon,
From what Stephan said, I would say yes.

UV sterilizes. It kills everything.