Pic of my 50 gallon

[MitchM]

Hmm, yes that info is helpful... :?

So am I to assume that it's been pretty much as is for the past 2 years? If so, then I'm surprised by the low reading of your CA, as it looks like your sandbed is operating properly..and if it is operating properly, then you should be seeing it dissolve into the tank water from the lower PH in the lower anaerobic layer, and as a result raising your CA level. Is your test kit maybe stale? Regardless of that, you are having nutrients building up and feeding the hair and bubble algae. Do you blast your rocks? ... See this thread for my previous experience.....http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6997.

Any plans to upgrade your skimmer? You could probably get away with more frequent water changes, right after you stir up a bunch of detritus that may be accumulating in your rock pile. Maybe use a turkey baster and a siphon hose at the same time.
Hair algae is no fun.

Mitch

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by Josh23

calcium 280 ( low but I dont have any corals)

All the more reason to wonder why? My Ca is (after 4 years) still over 400 - addressed with water changes and aragonite sand replenishment. Test kit okay?

I don't have SPS demanding corals, but I did notice a drop from 440 to 400 over the last year.

Have you checked your magnesium, and how often do you do your water changes?

Your high alk low ca is way off the equilibrium, and if you have been adding stuff, I'd suggest first getting it back in check.

Then you can do all the fancy stuff....

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

.... Test kit okay?

Then you can do all the fancy stuff....

Read mine again....(I mentioned that).... :P

(bet my way works better...... :P )

Mitch

[Josh23]

Im currently doing bi weekly water changes.

I have never tryed to remove the debri using a turkey baster although it sounds like a good idea. I have however done the tooth brush thing and found that the algea returns in a couple weeks.

I have not really considered a skimmer upgrade because I would rather upgrade my lighting. What would you do lighting or skimmer.

Thanks
Josh

[Josh23]

Sorry missed a couple things

No i have never checked my Magnesium and I dont believe there is anything wrong with the Ca test kit although its something Ill look into.

What is considered to be equilibrum for alk and Ca.

Josh

[MitchM]

Do the lights. You can get by with an underperforming skimmer by lowering the bioload as much as possible and cleaning out built up detritus.

Mitch

[EmilyB]

Craig Bingman

[MitchM]

...ooohhh, nice link...I've missed that one!

Mitch

[EmilyB]

When you see this graph, and graph new SW at NSW values....

http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/a...io/default.asp

You can follow how the normal scale works. As my Ca fell, my Alk fell in relation ( remember this is water change/sand replenishment only....just my particular choice)...

[EmilyB]

Originally Posted by Carpentersreef

...ooohhh, nice link...I've missed that one!

Mitch