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![]() 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 |