How do I maximize removal of green & red algae?

[edmund36]

I have a 120 gallon tank with wet / dry filter and protein skimmer which sits inside of the sump. I use PC Compact lighting about 8 hours a day.

I would like to know if anyone has suggestions on removing the red algae from the sand bed from my tank. It continues to grow. Also much green algae on the live rock.

My nitrates are rising to 10 -20 now, I do water changes, but I am apparently not doing enough. I use a phosphate filter media bag in the sump.

I am continually scrubbing off the live rock and scooping / suctioning the bottom of the sand bed.

Does anyone have suggestions on removing the red and green algae from the tank on a permanent basis? I have already tried Weiss Algae Magic and AZ-NO3 Nitrate remover.

I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef salt and I’m wandering if it contains too rich elements that may promote algae growth? Is there a different salt mix that may help reduce the algae growth elements while providing all essential salt water mix aquarium needs?

I would appreciate any suggestions and how to do them to keep my tank cleaner and reduce my nitrates. I have both Fish & Corals in this tank.

Edmund

 

[Anonymous]

What's all the livestock you have in there?

My first impression is that you either you don't have a good enough protein skimmer or you have way too much fish in there. If you have a good skimmer you should be able to keep your nitrates down low. Water changes help remove the nitrates, but my guess is no matter how many water changes you do nitrates will continue to rise. That is, if you have the problem I am thinking of. What kind of skimmer are you using?

I am not familiar with the salt you are using. I use Seachem's reef salt. Instant Ocean is one of the most popular

 

[Anonymous]

Here are some prior threads with good tips and ideas. Also, how long is it since you had changed the lights? Shifting light spectrum from old bulbs fuels that stuff. Also, what is the bioload and what are you feeding the tank?

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... ht=nitrate

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p ... ht=nitrate

The biggest thing you can do is to initially limit the amount of nutrients you put in, i.e. through feeding, etc. Also, your wet dry is contributing to the problem IMO. Here's a great article on nitrates.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm

 

[edmund36]

I have a Protein Skimmer by Marine Technical Concepts model Pro 4500.

Do not have much livestock.

Ed

 

[Anonymous]

Not familiar with that skimmer so I can't comment on it, but do read those things I posted and see if there is anything you could use.