need help with aglae in tank, Can't get it out!!!!! HELP ME

[Mylilocean]

Ok first the tank has been up and running for about 6-8 months now.
Its a 46g bow front, I have a protein skimmer and I use power compact lights.Ran from 12-10. I have a wet dry filter system. I do water changes once every month 10-15% I have coral and LR and live sand. and have damsel fish (3). I have some snails and other aglae eaters but I thing most have died, so I need to buy some more.

Heres my problem, I have this BROWNISH dust on top of the sand bed that want go away, I also have this greenish and then brownish little hair algae that grows on my LR that wont go away and now I have some Green hair aglae that just came up last week while I was out of town thats about an inch tall, all others about 1/4 of an inch. Now how do I get this crap out of there. iFirst I thought my problem was my over head light over my fireplace, turned that off and stuff is still there. WHen I do my water changes I blow all the rock and sand bed to lossen up all waste. I've been temped to just threw it all way I'm so made at it. PLEASE HELP ME AND TELL ME WHAT I"M DOING WRONG AND HOW TO GET THIS STUFF FIXED.

 

[wade1]

I'll redirect this to the Beginners forum after my reply....

1) What type of protein skimmer and does it produce a good deal of skimmate?
2) It sounds like a diatom growth, based on the 'dust' description... these are typically very high in tanks that have alot of silica in them... what is your water source for the tank? If it is well water, or you live out west, it likely can be alot of silica. The second source is just too many nutrients still in the tank (and from the hair algae description, that could readily be as well).
3) How old are your bulbs? If they are PC bulbs, they should be replaced every 6-10 months. If this algae has really sprung up lately, one possible cause is a shift in the color spectrum/output of the PC bulbs.


Ideally, to deal with any algae... increase skimming, use activated carbon, reduce feeding frequency/amount, and do larger water changes with a very high quality RO/DI water (use a silica rated membrane!). I would suggest a couple of 30% changes (match your temp and salinity!) to get things rolling again.

Wade

 

[Mylilocean]

Yes my protein skimmer(seaclone, yes I know they SUCK) produces skimate. I use RO water for my Water top off and my salinity has been off lately so I have been doing just Striaght RO water for my water changes. Now that it is right again I will go back to useing saltwater.
My bulbs are only about 4 months old. anything else

 

[wade1]

Not really, just keep up with extra water changes if you plan on continuing on with the seaclone. And make sure the RO water is high quality.

 

[ChrisRD]

I agree with Wade. Also...

I have some snails and other aglae eaters but I thing most have died, so I need to buy some more.

How long do they generally live? Keep in mind that if you're losing snails rapidly you may not be acclimating them well - inverts generally require much slower acclimation than say, fish. You can actually "feed" an algae problem by continually replenishing animals that are rapidly dying-off in your system.

Also, running activated carbon - especially if you don't have a strong skimmer - can help keep dissolved nutrient levels down as well. Make sure to stick to a high quality carbon that won't leach phosphates (do a search on the board).

Some folks also find that dosing / topping-off evaporation with kalkwasser helps eliminate some nuisance algaes.

HTH

 

[ChrisRD]

BTW, what are your nitrate levels? I just noticed you're running a wet/dry (which is not necessary since you've already got LR/LS and a skimmer).

 

[Anonymous]

Not much to add to the above, but am wondering have you tested your water parameters lately if so what were the levels, PH and such?

As far as the Wet/Dry, I'd pull the guts out and use it strictly for a 'fuge and use the space for a better skimmer.