Looking to ID Algae in Sump

Myka · #1 02-03-2018, 06:03 PM

I don't think the switch to vinegar will help. I've used vinegar in client tanks, and it makes bacteria slime too. You might get lucky though, so I hope it works for you! Otherwise, consider biopellets and run the output right into your skimmer, and you won't get goo.

DKoKoMan · #2 02-03-2018, 06:52 PM

Well I was fortunate to snag a ball of chaeto (very hard to find in Edmonton now). I decided to completely take my carbon dosing offline to rid the slime. I’m hop No I can still manage my nitrate levels with the chaeto. I left my GFO running in a reactor for the time being as I believe the chaeto doesn’t absorb this at the same rate. My plan is to monitor my nitrates and hopefully they don’t shoot back up. I will play with this idea for a little bit until I get the new system up. If I’m unsuccessful in nitrate control, I will have to put the carbon dosing back online and will try strictly vinegar as nopox without a doubt contributes to heavy slime.

At least I will know if this will be sufficient otherwise I will go the biopellet route with the outlet from the reactor going directly in to my Skimmer intake. I can’t tell you what a PITA this stuff truly is. I will monitor the tank and rest nitrates / phosphates (I will try for every 3 days). Hopefully I see a reduction in the slime.

Myka · #3 02-03-2018, 07:25 PM

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

DKoKoMan · #4 02-03-2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

Thanks for bringing this up Mindy! I have saw many of these reactor setups for sale online in packages and DIY projects. My thought was it would be good to have the chaeto contained (preventing from getting in filters and taking up less room in the sump). I guess my question is will the chaeto just grow until it hits the capacity of the container? Is it better to keep it contained for more direct light?

I went downstairs this morning after my night shift. My chaeto ball was tumbling away in the first chamber of my sump. Upon looking closer I saw that some of the stragglers made it over the baffle and in to my prefilter. Not a huge deal, that being said is this going to thin the chaeto to non existence over the next while. I want this little ball to replace my need (or provide a good complement) to carbon dosing so I don’t have to worry about chaeto. Also in my new system I want to learn from my mistakes in this 150g and not have to change total methods.

Let me know your thoughts Mindy as you have a lot more experience and exposure to different chaeto setups. I have no issues doing a DIY reactor for the chaeto of this will be effective.

CHEAPREEF · #5 02-03-2018, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

If you make yourself a DIY Pax Bellum style Chaeto reactor it will grow Chaeto like nobody's business. Powerful nutrient reduction.

Would def watch out running one of these, the LED's wrapped around acrylic have been known to cause stress cracks and eventually fractures. The don't generate a lot of heat but when it's pressed directly onto the surface like that it is focused enough to be a issue.

Myka · #6 02-04-2018, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHEAPREEF

Would def watch out running one of these, the LED's wrapped around acrylic have been known to cause stress cracks and eventually fractures. The don't generate a lot of heat but when it's pressed directly onto the surface like that it is focused enough to be a issue.

Interesting...haven't had any troubles with that using different reactors and lights.

DKoKoMan · #7 02-04-2018, 11:22 AM

Hmm... is this maybe a one off or a consistent pattern with age. I see many online vendors using the AquaMaxx reactor with the led strips wrapping it. The Pax Bellum is way out of budget for me on an algae reactor. I have been considering one of these algae reactors but value what other have to say.

CHEAPREEF · #8 02-13-2018, 02:57 PM

So it's been 2 weeks and no return of the white slime or the buildup in the pipes. I can't be 100% what it was yet but I am leaning towards a build up of VOC's in the water.
I am going to start adding stuff I stopped doing slowly every 4-5 days see if anything triggers a return, other than the AA's and Bacteria I no longer feel the need to dose those as the tank has been perfectly fine without either.