Help please algae issues

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by Myka

I do recommend though, that once a week the ball valve should be opened so the media can be flushed at which time it should tumble vigorously for maybe 30 seconds or so. This dislodges trapped detritus and prevents clumping and tunneling.:

That's a good tip. Thanks. Ok back on topic. Sorry for the minor hijack.

[Coralgurl]

Thank you all for the feedback and tips! I went through Mykas articles last night and will do some more reading today.

To clarify a few points....this is my 55 gl tank. Running on a canister filter, no sump. Tank is 2 years old. I have 3 power heads, one mp10, 2 koralias (4's) I believe. The mp10 is set on reef crest, placed on the end of the tank in the middle at 100%. The 2 koralias are also on the ends but pointed at the surface.

I ran out of rowaphos and been substituting gfo in the canister. I just picked up fluval phosphate media and will change out today with a water change. I've been changing 25-30 gls of water with each change, max I can do at any one time. Water changes every 2 weeks.

I only use RO water, feed frozen but thaw and rinse before using, every time.

The skimmer I added is rated to 100 gls and with 6 small fish, don't think my bioload is too much.

My parameters are as follows

Phospahates .25 API test
Nitrate 20 API test
Cal 420 elos
Alk 8 elos
Mag 1100 elos
Ph 8.1 elos

It looks like I need to increase my cuc as I don't think I have any alive in the tank.

Where the hair algae is growing is the rocks on the bottom of the tank, I can pull these out and clean as they are small.

Good starting points-I'm not sure if I can run a bio pellet reactor on this one with no sump, I've been looking around and haven't found one. Will read about other options.

Thanks again!

[Madreefer]

Originally Posted by kien

If the top layer is "boiling" then are they not tumbling?

There needs to be a guide on this "boiling or tumbling effect". It's way too confusing.