Not trying to stir things up so sorry if my post came off that way. I was agreeing w/some of what you were saying as far as detritus/something feeding the algae.
What I meant was that Rob has posted other threads with this issue and has tried numerous things to resolve it to no avail, including removing the sand bed IIRC.
Mitch - Some more info on the tank for ya.
There is no sand. It is a starboard borrom.
I did have fish in the tank and when I did I was feeding 1/2 cube of frozen mysis every 2-3 days.
When I take the powerhead to the LR I see allot of detritus flowing around.
When this LR was in my 46 for 1/5 years it was fine.
When I setup this 58. I went with a DSB made of Southdown. A theory I had was the DSB was never functioning properly and the LR got loaded. I removed the DSB about a year ago.
I had a MyReefCreations MR-1 skimmer in the tnak that never really pulled out too much skimate. Another theory.
I now have a Euroreef ES5-3 that makes allot of skimmate but I dont know if its enough.
At one time I purchaed about 50 varius snails and tiny blue leg hermits. The snails died in a few months thanks to the hermits. I have about 5 astreas adn 3 nerite snails left.
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us recession 2008
There is no sand. It is a starboard borrom.
I did have fish in the tank and when I did I was feeding 1/2 cube of frozen mysis every 2-3 days.
When I take the powerhead to the LR I see allot of detritus flowing around.
When this LR was in my 46 for 1/5 years it was fine.
When I setup this 58. I went with a DSB made of Southdown. A theory I had was the DSB was never functioning properly and the LR got loaded. I removed the DSB about a year ago.
I had a MyReefCreations MR-1 skimmer in the tnak that never really pulled out too much skimate. Another theory.
I now have a Euroreef ES5-3 that makes allot of skimmate but I dont know if its enough.
At one time I purchaed about 50 varius snails and tiny blue leg hermits. The snails died in a few months thanks to the hermits. I have about 5 astreas adn 3 nerite snails left.
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us recession 2008
Rob_Reef_Keeper":yl7nn3qq said:
Thanks Rob can you email me (or pm) a fax number I came across an interesting article in "coral Magazine" it is a lisc version of the German publication "Koralle Germany"
some stuff that may be of interest ( some slime cranobac live of the No3 in gas format :roll: I didn't know that
)a complex/basic article with a german slant
Cheers
Mitch
i know i have read this article... but are phosphates and silicates out of control. do ou have a lot of pod growth also.
I always do these things when I have algae growth. this is just a check list. if it means nothing than so be it. I have been paying attention as the thread goes on but to re-read the whole thread after a week of work is hard 8O .
1.I have a micron sock in my sump. I place a 100 micron bag. and do a long siphon clean. I pull out all the crap in the hair aigae, then around the rocks. (i plave the siphon tube in the micron bag so i don't dmp all the stuff back in the tank. on my 90g it took me 20-30mins. I haven't needed to do this on my 180.)
remove the sock and replace with another 100 micron.
do 25% WATER CHANGE.
2. Cut photo period by 4hours. and then cut lights for 2days. the start the lights again getting back to a full photoperiod over a week.
3. test my phosphates every day.
4. replenish cleaners that have bit the dust over the year. (i actually do this number two but forgot to add it in.
hope this helps
I always do these things when I have algae growth. this is just a check list. if it means nothing than so be it. I have been paying attention as the thread goes on but to re-read the whole thread after a week of work is hard 8O .
1.I have a micron sock in my sump. I place a 100 micron bag. and do a long siphon clean. I pull out all the crap in the hair aigae, then around the rocks. (i plave the siphon tube in the micron bag so i don't dmp all the stuff back in the tank. on my 90g it took me 20-30mins. I haven't needed to do this on my 180.)
remove the sock and replace with another 100 micron.
do 25% WATER CHANGE.
2. Cut photo period by 4hours. and then cut lights for 2days. the start the lights again getting back to a full photoperiod over a week.
3. test my phosphates every day.
4. replenish cleaners that have bit the dust over the year. (i actually do this number two but forgot to add it in.
hope this helps
I see NO signs of life on the LR. No pods, worms, etc.
There is a bunch of things that need to be done.
1. Rock needs to be stripped of the algae.
2. Need a good cleanup crew that live and dont die.
3. Adding more flow (Stream is on the way)
Was going to try cooking the LR to get the algae to die where it can be manageable by critters. I dont think scrubbing alone will work.
I may get a larger skimmer as well, just dont know what to get.
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The Amazing Race Forum
There is a bunch of things that need to be done.
1. Rock needs to be stripped of the algae.
2. Need a good cleanup crew that live and dont die.
3. Adding more flow (Stream is on the way)
Was going to try cooking the LR to get the algae to die where it can be manageable by critters. I dont think scrubbing alone will work.
I may get a larger skimmer as well, just dont know what to get.
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The Amazing Race Forum
well, regardless, since the silicates dont feed the hair algae then its time to just tear it down and move on since there is no answer on the algae source. I do believe that the LR could be loaded up but how did that happen.
I guess I can say I tried.
Thanks all for your help.
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Honda CBR600F4i
I guess I can say I tried.
Thanks all for your help.
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Honda CBR600F4i
I truly wish I had a better answer for you. I feel your pain
Rock can get loaded during the cycle if ammonia is allowed to spike at high levels. This kills the animals inside the rock and they rot. Without other animals to clear out the gunk the proteins release phosphates that are adsorbed by the rock. It can then take years for the "gunk" to clear the rocks. "Cooking" might do it. I would be more inclined to buy new rock, "cook" the old rock, and sell off the old rock as base rock.
Rock can get loaded during the cycle if ammonia is allowed to spike at high levels. This kills the animals inside the rock and they rot. Without other animals to clear out the gunk the proteins release phosphates that are adsorbed by the rock. It can then take years for the "gunk" to clear the rocks. "Cooking" might do it. I would be more inclined to buy new rock, "cook" the old rock, and sell off the old rock as base rock.
The problem is I dont know what caused this issue.
Spending another $600 on LR on a chance that it will not come back is a tough decision. I have to buy cured LR. I do not want the stench in my condo with an infant here. I do not have a garage either.
I am really upset about this but just dont know what to do.
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Honda Mobilio
Spending another $600 on LR on a chance that it will not come back is a tough decision. I have to buy cured LR. I do not want the stench in my condo with an infant here. I do not have a garage either.
I am really upset about this but just dont know what to do.
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Honda Mobilio
I'd try the cheaper stuff first (and less effort)...
Change out your DI cartridges (make sure to run some water through them to clear em out before using). Add some herbivores to your tank that are known to eat hair algae. If all else fails, try the rock-in-the-dark trick.
You've come all this way - don't give up now because of hair algae. You'll get it figured out and someday you'll look back and be thankful you didn't give up your tank.
Change out your DI cartridges (make sure to run some water through them to clear em out before using). Add some herbivores to your tank that are known to eat hair algae. If all else fails, try the rock-in-the-dark trick.
You've come all this way - don't give up now because of hair algae. You'll get it figured out and someday you'll look back and be thankful you didn't give up your tank.
I spoke with ARS and they mentioned that I should get Anion Exchange Resin for the fist DI only then go with a mixed bed for the second to cut down the silicates. They also told be to run the RO/DI at a 4 to 1 rejection rate as well.
I got to order the new DI resin next week.
What are good herbivores? How many and of what?
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Ecstasy Rehab Forum
I got to order the new DI resin next week.
What are good herbivores? How many and of what?
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Ecstasy Rehab Forum
Rob,
I know alot of ppl will tell you about snails, crabs, hermits and such but how about something KEWL? I put a couple of sea hares in my 29 and they made short work of the hair algea. Maybe get one instead of two. Neatest little things to watch that I've ever seen. By far the most looked at animals in my tank.
I know alot of ppl will tell you about snails, crabs, hermits and such but how about something KEWL? I put a couple of sea hares in my 29 and they made short work of the hair algea. Maybe get one instead of two. Neatest little things to watch that I've ever seen. By far the most looked at animals in my tank.
OK, here we go again (after the data loss thing...)
A (partial) list of hair algae-eating critters that come to mind for a tank your size:
Large Snails - IME Turbo fluctuosus (Mexican Turbo Snail) is best. Half a dozen would be good in your case IMO, although you could get more intially and then give some away (or trade them back into the LFS) as the problem gets under control.
Conchs - One Strombus alatus (Fighting Conch) would be my choice in that tank. Queens are great too, but get too large too fast for most tanks (and definitely for a tank your size IMO).
Hermits - I'm not a big hermit fan, but IME Clibinarius digueti (Baha Red Leg Hermit) are a great choice if you like hermits.
Some other stuff I've never tried myself but has a reputation for readily eating hair algae - Emerald/Mythrix Crabs, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Sea Hares, Urchins and Lawnmower Blennies (although IIRC you already tried one, right?)
A (partial) list of hair algae-eating critters that come to mind for a tank your size:
Large Snails - IME Turbo fluctuosus (Mexican Turbo Snail) is best. Half a dozen would be good in your case IMO, although you could get more intially and then give some away (or trade them back into the LFS) as the problem gets under control.
Conchs - One Strombus alatus (Fighting Conch) would be my choice in that tank. Queens are great too, but get too large too fast for most tanks (and definitely for a tank your size IMO).
Hermits - I'm not a big hermit fan, but IME Clibinarius digueti (Baha Red Leg Hermit) are a great choice if you like hermits.
Some other stuff I've never tried myself but has a reputation for readily eating hair algae - Emerald/Mythrix Crabs, Sally Lightfoot Crabs, Sea Hares, Urchins and Lawnmower Blennies (although IIRC you already tried one, right?)
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