Algae Problem - Can You Help????

[hurrifan]

I am battling hair and red cyano. The algae is not out of control or ridiculous by any stretch, but more annoying than anything. I know that I am fortunate that it is not worse. The hair is very short though, not your typical long hair algae that I am used to. The red cyano just started up about a week ago. This is what I am doing (and it is not working):

Newly set up 20g refugium (3 weeks old)
200 LBS of LR
Blasting my rocks weekly with powerhead
Standard skimmer
2 SS for circulation
2 rio 1700's on wave timer

Things that I am not doing that I think are part of the problem:

Sand bed is only about 2 to 3 inches. I have been meaning to add more sand, but have not yet. Could the lack of a true DSB be a source of the problem.

Tank stats: 180 AGA, set up about 15 months, Amp 3000 to SS for return, 3 400w e-ballast (10K with URI actinic on for 12 hours a day), ETS skimmer, 5 fish (copperbanded b/f, g/s clown, blue hippo, naso, yellow mimic), all readings are in range, salinity 1.026 and NO phosphates (not that my test kit can read). I do feed slightly heavy, but heavy for 5 fish in a 180 is not really heavy (or so i think).

Help if you can. Reply if I left out any important info.

PS - I did read the FAQ'S. That is where I got the blasting idea (have not been doing it that long), but I think I need additional advice regarding my DSB.

[ April 12, 2002: Message edited by: Hurrifan ]</p>

 

[Liem]

Algae growth indicates high level of nutrient in the water. Thicker sand bed (4 to 6 inches) will help. And so does water change.
I have a 150 gallon tank with about 4" of sand and I change 1/3 of the water every month. I'm thinking about changing less water more frequently but I'm too busy with my other jobs to do that. After each water change, the cyano bacteria colonies all decline noticebly. Unfortunately, they always pick up toward the 2nd half of the month!
I suggest that you try vary these parameters feeding amount & frequency; water change; light intensity & duration; and water movement and observe their effects. Over time, I'm sure you can work out the "right" formula for your situation.
Water parameters as provided by the test kits are useful to track trend and stuff. They are not accurate enough at low level of concentration to be useful for the purpose of algea control. My test kit doesn't seem to register any phosphate but it must be in the water because the algae can't grow without it.
Liem.

 

[Liem]

One more thing. Blasting rocks with powerhead may be counter productive because it disrrupt the lives of crustations and other small critters living in the cracks. These organisms are important in consuming the detritus before they decompose and thus feed the algea.
I never have to do this nor siphoning out the detritus from my tank.
Liem.

 

[Jaynorris]

Hi Hurrifan, I need more information to help. What type of water do you use for make up water, RO/DI,tap water, how often do you do water changes, do you use hermit crabs or astrea snails to help with the algae control? If you have a boat or dive you can collect them localy, this is a lot of fun. IMO I would cut back on your total light photo period to 10 hrs. a day, try running your MH for 8 hours a day until you get the hair algae under control, try cutting back on the amount you feed your fish. What size ETSS skimmer do you have and how often do you clean it? You said the cyano problem started after the refugium was set up, if so this should not be a problem after the refugium becomes established. Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Drip kalk, drip kalk, drip kalk.

Do a search on algae. I swear by kalk and my blue tuxedo urchin.

 

[hurrifan]

I use only ro/di water. I dont do water changes as often as I should. I have hermits, nassarius, and astrea, but they have been declining over the last 12 months, I need more. My skimmer is designed for a tank up to 250, but I do not clean it frequently. I will try cutting back on the photo period.

 

[Anonymous]

Drip kalk that was mixed with RO or DI or RO/DI. Add a variety of snails. Different snails seem to prefer different algaes/diatoms. Remove as much as you can by hand. I would also blast your rocks everyother day or daily. It will help the skimmer remove the crap. You are also right in adding two or three more inches of sand.