tired fustrated and algae

[Myka]

Ugh...I feel your pain. Been there.

Start by getting the alkalinity around 8, magnesium around 1350-1400. I would just use the kits you have. Be very diligent in testing. Shake up each ingredient well before use (powders and liquids). Rinse the test tube in tank water several times before use (shake it out well). Be accurate in your 5 mL of tank water (or whatever it is) by using the calibration on the syringe, not the test tube. Be sure all the bubbles are out of the syringe when measuring. Hold droppers at a 45 degree angle when dispensing. Use a credit card to gently pack and flatten scoops of powder. Etc...

Try dropping your calcium to about 410-415 ppm which will be a balanced ratio with your 8 dKH alkalinity. Right now your balance if off.

Trim your Chaeto so it can move easily (you will prob toss 2/3 of it...keep the nice clean green stuff), and put a powerhead into that chamber so that the Chaeto ball rolls in the water so those brown dinoflagellates can't grow. What type of light are you using on the Chaeto? On for what hours?

Have you calibrated your refractometer/hydrometer lately? What brand salt are you using? Have you tested the TDS of your RO/DI lately? Calibrated the TDS meter?

Where did you get your live rock from? How did you treat it when you first got it?