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Old 06-16-2012, 09:34 PM
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Slick Fork Slick Fork is offline
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Default Need tips for finding the source of Nutrients

Hi there,

So, I've got Algae and therefore nutrients... there, I've admitted it. What's killing me though is where are they coming from and what am I doing wrong to remove them.

So, a the background info:
Tank 33 gallon
Sump ~30 gallons actual volume
Live rock ~I THINK it's about 30 or 40 lbs. 90% of it was dry 2 year ago when I started the tank up.
Skimmer: Vertex In-180
GFO and carbon mixed in a reactor
Chaeto in a stagnant part of the sump with a PC (13 watt) Flood light on it.

Flow in the display:
2x6055 opposing and set to pulse, creating a small 3/4" wave
1 6045 with the wide flow mod trying to fix stagnant areas at the bottom of the tank
Return pump ~500gph

Inhabitants
Tail spot Blenny
Sailfin Goby
Yellow Watchman Goby
Neon Blue Goby
Royal Gramma
Peppermint Shrimp
SPS/LPS/Acans and a struggling zoanthid frag

Maintenance:
5 gallon water change every two months with H2Ocean salt - RO/DI water at 0ppm
Calcium added to the salt during water changes
on my 3rd month of Prodibio (only using 1 vial, not the recommended two.. because I'm cheap)
Coral Snow randomly (when I remember)
GFO Changed - not often enough, every couple of months.
When I have time, I vacuum detritus up from the display through a filter sock in the sump (Sock is only there temporarily)

Feeding:
NLS pellets and Spirulina pellets a little less often than daily. No Frozen food.

Relevant history and other information:
-Was on that Royal Nature salt last year, switched to D&D H2Ocean in January(ish) and the tank has been improving ever since.
-Couple of skimmer overflows dumping a weeks worth of skimmate into the sump each time in the last month (likely culprit?)
-Chaeto grows excruciatingly slowly... maybe due to low flow, and older/smaller lightbulb?

So, my hunch is that the two big skimmer overflows are the prime culprit in my most recent algae bloom, but I have a sneaking suspicion that since the chaeto isn't tumbling, that whatever benefit I get from the top getting the light is offset or worse by stuff decomposing on the bottom of the ball.

What else am I missing? I kind of feel with a skimmer rated for my old 180 gallon system and frequent water changes, I shouldn't have any nutrient issues at all. It doesn't seem like I have a huge bioload, and I'm certainly not feeding a ton.

Would really appreciate some suggestions

Cheers
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