DKoKoMan's 150g Reef Tank

DKoKoMan · #1 06-28-2017, 06:19 AM

So today I noticed an aggressive brown algae on my live rock and on some of my corals. Some of my Zoas are struggling to open and it's best described as stringy brown algae with bubbles that appear and disappear. I checked PO4 which is 0.15 ppm (high I know) and NO3 approximately 20-40ppm (API test kit). I am ordering a new nitrate kit as it's very tough to distinguish the difference in colour shades.

The only thing that has changed in the tank is the intensity of my led lights which I ramped up 20% and carbon dosing via reactor with biopellets. I took a quick photo to show one of the areas that has this brown algae present. My white gonipora is starting to get covered in this brown algae preventing it from having plump extension.

Please Help!!' No idea where to start with this and don't want to start chanting a bunch of things. Haven't had this issue before as this algae seems to want to cover my sps, LPS and Zoas.

DKoKoMan · #2 06-29-2017, 04:56 AM

Might be too late for my red star fish as one of his legs has disintegrated and the other one is also showing signs. My purple star fish is loving but is also showing signs of deterioration. My guess is the nitrates being higher then usual are causing this.

Did a 40g WC tonight and will most likely do one in 3 days or at least weekly for the next bit until I can sort this out.

AquaAddict · #3 06-30-2017, 03:24 AM

I have been using Vibrant in my tank for a month or so to keep the algae down and it seem to be working. It even got rid of a small of bryopsis.

As for your comment that your fish are fat, it may be possible you are feeding your fish a little too much.

AquaAddict

AquaAddict · #4 06-30-2017, 03:49 AM

I ran out of time on my last post so I just wanted add my two cents worth on problem heaters. I had changed to a titanium heater years ago for my marine tank because the glass ones could not maintain a steady temperature.

I now have had a Chinese thermostat (EBay -$30) attached my Finnex heater for my marine tank and one attached to a glass heater for my freshwater tank for approx 4 years with perfect results. These thermostats are designed for use beer and wine making but my handy husband attached my heaters to them and now temperatures in both tanks are very steady and the digital displays are so easy to read.

AquaAddict

tang daddy · #5 06-30-2017, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaAddict

I ran out of time on my last post so I just wanted add my two cents worth on problem heaters. I had changed to a titanium heater years ago for my marine tank because the glass ones could not maintain a steady temperature.

I now have had a Chinese thermostat (EBay -$30) attached my Finnex heater for my marine tank and one attached to a glass heater for my freshwater tank for approx 4 years with perfect results. These thermostats are designed for use beer and wine making but my handy husband attached my heaters to them and now temperatures in both tanks are very steady and the digital displays are so easy to read.

AquaAddict

AA is there YouTube videos on how to add Tstat to heater?

I wouldn't mind doing the same for mine, I currently run 2 titanium heaters, 300&500 because in the winters they run full time, my garage floor is very cool in the summer and even colder winter months.

DKoKoMan · #6 07-01-2017, 03:15 AM

Your probably right with over feeding. I'm thinking the frozen cubes of mysis probably didn't help. I cut back on the feeding and will do a large 40% water change. This brown algae is a pain right now as it keeps latching in to my frags and my torch won't extend. Oddly enough but my Zoas are suffering the most.

I'm just hoping my tank is not in the early stages of dinoflagellates or a Major diatom bloom. Ugh only time will tell. I have been hammering down on reducing nitrates and phosphates. Hopefully they come down enough that I can maintain them. Here's to hoping!

Lost my red starfish unfortunately and my purple one isn't looking the best either. Hopefully my Salifert Nitate test kit gets here sooner then later as I don't know about the API test kit. I can't seem to get it register anything other then 40ppm ....ugh.

AquaAddict · #7 07-01-2017, 03:40 AM

Sorry, TD. I don't know. You would have to search on line and see what you can find.

If you do buy one of these thermostats, just pm me and I am sure we would be able to help you set it up. I don't think it is super difficult. What I know from watching Peter (hubby), he turns the attached control on the heater to full power, plugs it into the thermostat and then there is some wiring to do.

AquaAddict