Algae, water parameters are great wth?

[xxnonamexx]

Here are the latest photos of my tank the parameters are: .5 Phos, 10Nitrate, 8.2 PH, and .00020 salt. Water was changed 2 weeks ago and the phos x carbon was just added after the water change now the water levels are great but still the algae wth? The lights are on 5 hrs a day and every other day totally off. 4 fish in tank fed every other day flake not too much.
If my water conditions are so good then why the algae?

 

[strgazr27]

I shoot for 0 Phos and as close to 0 Trates as I can. What type/spectrum bulb are you using? The last picture almost looks like blue/green cyano but it's kinda hard to tell.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

How is your salt level at .00020?

 

[xxnonamexx]

well the plastic saltwater tester thats the line it shows. I know its fine since I checked numerous forums. I have a Aqualife PC unit. 2 blue and 2 white. Not sure exactly I will have to check but the lights are on for 5hrs every other day so I doubt it matters.

 

[strgazr27]

How old are the bulbs? Are you using RO water? .00020 ?? Or do you mean 1.020?

 

[xxnonamexx]

I will double check the salinity I think I meant 1.00021. The bulbs are 6 months old. This is a FOWLR how would the bulbs degrade affect the algae?

 

[strgazr27]

I will double check the salinity I think I meant 1.00021. The bulbs are 6 months old. This is a FOWLR how would the bulbs degrade affect the algae?

As a bulb ages it's output fades and it's spectrum or color temp can shift. This could very well cause the bloom your looking at.

As far as your salinity level it is VERY low. 1.020 is the lowest I would run, even in a FOWLR setup. Check your decimal places.

 

[xxnonamexx]

1.021 is the salinity sorry I just tested it. So less light will give algae bloom? I am using tap water but it doesn't matter since phos and nitrates are low. I know RO/is better but for tap water parameters are still good. Say I used LED lights you think the same issue with light spectrum, color temp?

 

[Awibrandy]

What test kits are you using?
What is there expiration dates? How old is the tank?

I get the idea that a fowlr doesn't need ro/di. But what happens when you decide that you are tired of just fish, and you want to add corals? Now you have rocks & sand full of phosphates.

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

1.021 is the salinity sorry I just tested it. So less light will give algae bloom? I am using tap water but it doesn't matter since phos and nitrates are low. I know RO/is better but for tap water parameters are still good. Say I used LED lights you think the same issue with light spectrum, color temp?

Tap water is where all your problems are coming from. First off just because your using tap doesn't meaning your tank is doing good. Save your self some trouble and get yourself a rodi unit you wont regret it. I did the samething by using tap water when I started the hobby. Every since I started to use rodi I have since a big change on my corals open up more then ever fish are happy. Btw what plastic tester are your reffering too?

 

[xxnonamexx]

I did reef, corals and I want to stay with FOWLR. It was fun a lil expensive on corals etc. and time with RO water.
I did RO but you lose more water as waste so I am sticking with tap I understand RO is the way to go.
My test kits are brand new saltest (sp) something
The water parameters are good. What else in the water would be causing the algae then? I heard Cheato may help as well? Thanks
I appreciate your advice.

 

[Awibrandy]

You should try to get "Salifert Test Kits" at least for the nitrates, for your phosphates get a Hanna (the Checker is relatively inexpensive, and will give you a higher accuracy) (all others will not give you close to accurate readings), and a refractometer for your salinity.

I don't believe your test results are accurate. With # as you have posted you shouldn't have algae.

Yes, cheato can help.

Are you concerned with the "waste" of water because you have to pay for the water, or do to concerns over the environment? There are ways around both.

 

[howze01]

The water parameters are good. What else in the water would be causing the algae then? I heard Cheato may help as well? Thanks
I appreciate your advice.

The good water parameters could be because of the algae. The algae uses up nitrates and phosphates so it can give you a flase reading. Your actual levels are probably higher than your tests are showing.

Tap water is almost always going to result in algae. There are many ways around the waste water coming from the RO unit. I know plenty of people who use it to wash clothes or water gardens. We have a huge orchid collection that we use our RO waste for. If not that, maybe jugs of RO from an LFS or some Walmarts sell RO water as well I think.

 

[reefjunkie09]

You really should take strgazr and angelo's advice... Cheato, LEDs has nothing to do with your problem. They are giving u good advice... Simply put - tap water + old bulbs = algea .

 

[xxnonamexx]

I have the salifert test kit. I used a number of test kits that my neighbor had and took 5 tests each and these all came out the same so I am sticking with those results as accurate. RO yea the waste for plants etc. I am not concerned about the price but its dumb to waste water to get good water for fish. especially 120 gal.

 

[andylee]

Didn't this exact same conversation take place last week?

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/116170-how-keep-rocks-clean.html

Is it Groundhog's Day?

 

[fjpod]

As others have said, use rodi...or if that is too expensive, I do well with the API tap water filter.

 

[xxnonamexx]

I figured out from another forum that I needed more water flow which is why I have too many dead spots that are making alge grow.

 

[howze01]

I hope that works out for you! Let us know how it goes

 

[FiNeMaN]

Are you concerned with the "waste" of water because you have to pay for the water, or do to concerns over the environment? There are ways around both.

I am concerned about the waste due to my environmental concerns...what are my ways around this while still using RO/DI?