Rust colored algea

[Slayer]

55 Gal.
Two 175w SE MH 10k
Two 4 ft. Tubes. 03 atinc, and 20k
Skilter 400 gph (I know it sucks)
Empior 400 bio wheel
30 lbs Liverock
Two Tangs
Four Clowns
Three Damsels
And a bunch of snails.
Three powerheads
15w UV sterilizer.
Rust colored algea growing everywhere. I scrub it off the LR. In my sink.
And off the walls of my tank. Do a big water change. That last for a couple of days maybe a week then it's right back. RRRRRR!!!!
I have the tank set up for about a year and a half.
I know I need more liverock, and should get a real skimmer.
Is this my problem? Not enough LR and That stupid Skilter. Stupid LFS. If I would of just bought what I really needed instead of those two filters in the 1st place. I am in the process of getting an overflow and real skimmer.
My nitrates are up.

 

[Anonymous]

Simply put, you have way too many fish in that tank, the bioload is huge. IMO and IME, your problem probably lies in having that many fish in that gallonage, as evidenced by the nitrates being up.

Agressive skimming could help some, but I would suggest you consider cutting way down on the fish. The Biowheel filter is also a huge nitrate factory. Additional liverock won't help all that much in your situation, there is simply too many fish producing too much waste in too little water.

 

[trido]

I have to agree with Lawdawg on this one. You have as many fish in your 55 as I do in my 120.

 

[shavo]

hey he states that he scrubs stuff off his live rock in his sink. Is this advisable?

I don't think i would be doing that. I suppose he would be rinsing it off after scrubbing? just wondering if this is a good idea or anybody else does it. Since i changed my rock structure all my algea problems have gone away.

 

[ChrisRD]

If the algae keeps returning and you have elevated nitrates you have a nutrient accumulation problem.

If it were me, I'd get rid of some fish and those hang-on filters and get a real skimmer. Increase circulation a bit and make sure you're using good source water (RO, RO/DI, etc.) too. With a good skimmer on there, the amount of rock you have will be much less critical (and combined with a good skimmer you'll have enough for basic filtration IME).

Personally, I would not keep a tang in a 55 unless it was one of the species that stay small like a Kole. Even at that, I would have no more than one in there. Also, I would stick to a single pair of clowns in that size tank.

With the reduced bioload (less fish), less nutrient input (pure source water) and increased export (skimmer) things should turn around in time. Keep in mind, even with those changes, it will take some time to see improvement.

JMO & HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with all too. I would never put 1 tang in a 55, much less 2. 8O

LESS FISH AND GET A SKIMMER!

Have a nice day!

 

[Slayer]

Thanks everyone.
9 fish in 55gal is to much. hhmmm.
I have a 125 not yet set up. I think it's time to start on my upgrade.
will get a skimmer and overflow, then set it up. wow lots of LR needed.
But, that's whatI get for getting in this hobbie.

 

[ChrisRD]

It's not necessarily the number of fish.

For example, the Tangs eat and crap a lot so they contribute a lot to the bioload. One medium size tang probably puts as much strain on the system as several small fish.

 

[Slayer]

Yeah they do crap alot! The 125 may be in my near future.

 

[Anonymous]

Not meaning to highjack your thread but my sis-in-law has no fish in her tank. Some coral and 10 hermits. She has the rust algae in one corner of her tank. She's got a 55 ga. It doesn't look like cyano. What do you think it is and what to treat it?

 

[CG1]

I'll pee against the wind here....

I think the bio laod is fine, provided you fix your filtration (see the post that Chris dropped above). Absent of this then yes, bio load is to large for your set up.

Rust covered algae that you are scrubbing off eh? sound a bit like Cyano to me. What are your Phosphates at?

You said your nitrates are high - are you doing water changes to correct this?

 

[Slayer]

Yes doing water changes. I do 5gal one week then a 10gal the next, Then back to a 5gal. And so on. I really didn't mean that my nitrates are out of control. I am at 20, on a scale of 10 - 100. That is from my "Fastest" test kit.
And, this is my water change day. I will do 5gal for evap. and 5gal for change.
I don't have a phosphate test kit. Although I am using a phosphate remover from "Kent". I will be switching to "Seachem" the next time I buy.
I am not using RO water "Yet." I am going to start buying it from a LFS I have found in my travels. $1.00 a gal. Not bad.
I am mixing my salt at 1/2 strength do deal with salt levels in the tank.
I am using "Tropic Marine" "Pro Reef."
Listen, I really don't want to get rid of any of my fish. Except maybe the two stripe damsels, and that would be just for the sake of the tank. Health wise.
And I want many more corals etc. Not fish. My tank is mostly a FOWLER tank right now.
Can I handle this system in my 55gal or should I think about setting up The bigger tank. The 125 I have. I have the lights. enough pumps and LS for the 125.
I will be getting the overflow and skimmer for the 125 regardless if it will be on my 55gal for a while or not. Because the 125 will be set up sooner or later.
My thoughts were to get this system running right before attempting a bigger tank.
Also There may be a move in my future, hopefully sooner then later.
And moving the 55gal will be less of a job then the 125.
Anyway I don't mean to burden anyone with a decision that is ultimately my choice but options help. So thanks.

 

[CG1]

Hi again, I would urge you to purchase a RO unit – at $1/gallon you are spending $40 per month on water (that’s a lot) by the end of this winter the new RO would have paid for itself !

You lost me on the mixing ½ strength comment – please clarify. Oh wait, I think my old noodle is beginning to work – 5 gallons evap and 5 gallons siphoned out means 5 gallons need salt and 5 do not. If that case – replace the evap with water but mix your water change water at the specific gravity of your tank.

Kents Phosphate sponge is “ok” but its only good for a max of 48 hours, after that it will release what it absorbed back into your tank – have you been using it correctly ? There is a product called RowaPhos (I think that’s the name) – great product, runs for 6 months will never release back into the tank and absorbs phosphates quickly.

Well, I personally feel bigger is always better – so I vote for the 125. That 55 would make a good sump for it

You will need to get your tank stable before wanting to add more, on my 180 I never let my evap hit 5 gallons – I don’t like swings in my conditions. But that was years ago, now I have a Kent float to replace water evap 24/7.