water quality

tinman · #1 02-20-2010, 04:34 AM

alright guys here is the age old question how do i reduce algae in my reef tank i don't have an ro system, water quality tests good, i perform water changes on a regular basis and i am using rowa phos in a reactor and carbon in the sump. is calgary water really that bad? or do i have a nitrate /phos issue the tank is lightly stocked and is mostly coral. i have to clean the glass every 2-3 days the tank is a rsm130d, any ideas would be welcome!

Seamazter · #2 02-20-2010, 04:49 AM

How old are your lights?
If your using the PC lights and they are 8months old, they may be causing the algae.

viperfish · #3 02-20-2010, 04:54 AM

With the 10K bulb in the RSM you are bound to get some algae on the glass. Every 2-3 days is not that bad.

tinman · #4 02-20-2010, 05:09 AM

yeah i've been looking at the light thing i've got about 4-5 months on them so maybe i'll try that next should i stick with the 50/50 bulbs?

tinman · #5 02-20-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

With the 10K bulb in the RSM you are bound to get some algae on the glass. Every 2-3 days is not that bad.

well is a good healthy crop normal to the point where it is kinda difficult to see the animals?

kien · #6 02-20-2010, 05:20 AM

is the only algae you have issue with the film algae on your glass? 2-3 days worth of cleaning glass (especially using tap water) is normal in my opinion. Heck, even with RO water I was doing it every 3 days or so. I would not worry about it. That's why magfloats sell so well and why everyone has one

Anyway, to reduce it (ie, extend the time you need to clean the glass), you can try nutrient reducing media like those new fangled NP Reducing BioPellets

Now, if you had other sorts of algae growing in our tank like hair algae, bubble algae, turf algae, red algae, etc, etc.. then I would be a little concerned.

Oh, and another thing, is your tank getting direct sunlight? That wonderful yellow sun of ours does a great job of growing algae as well. At least it does in my tank. Again, depressing your nutrients further will help with that if you can't avoid direct sunlight.

viperfish · #7 02-20-2010, 05:33 AM

I found it very difficult to maintain low nutrients in the RSM. I ended up putting a 10 gallon sump/fuge in the cabinet and from that point on I had no issues at all.

tinman · #8 02-20-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I found it very difficult to maintain low nutrients in the RSM. I ended up putting a 10 gallon sump/fuge in the cabinet and from that point on I had no issues at all.

well i was also kickin that idea around as well did you build the sump?

viperfish · #9 02-20-2010, 06:15 AM

I did. It's a standard 10 Gallon, some acrylic from Home Depot and few hours of putting it all together. Makes a world of difference.

tinman · #10 02-20-2010, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

is the only algae you have issue with the film algae on your glass? 2-3 days worth of cleaning glass (especially using tap water) is normal in my opinion. Heck, even with RO water I was doing it every 3 days or so. I would not worry about it. That's why magfloats sell so well and why everyone has one

Anyway, to reduce it (ie, extend the time you need to clean the glass), you can try nutrient reducing media like those new fangled NP Reducing BioPellets

Now, if you had other sorts of algae growing in our tank like hair algae, bubble algae, turf algae, red algae, etc, etc.. then I would be a little concerned.

Oh, and another thing, is your tank getting direct sunlight? That wonderful yellow sun of ours does a great job of growing algae as well. At least it does in my tank. Again, depressing your nutrients further will help with that if you can't avoid direct sunlight.

well i will say that mr sun did have his way once upon a time but i do have a couple of tufts hair algae on the rocks that need regular cropping even the old tooth brush couldn't keep it away! have you used the bio pellets i've only been using the rowa phos.