by Saltwater Smarts | Jan 27, 2020 | Reef, Science, Tanks
Question: I recently did a 25-percent water change in my reef aquarium, and later that same day a film of green algae appeared on the glass. I cleaned it off with an algae magnet only to have it reappear just a few hours later. That was about a week ago. The algae film seems to be getting a little lighter every day, but I’m still having to clean up algae. Have you ever heard of this happening? What could be the cause? -Personal communication from fellow hobbyist Answer: I’ve not only heard of this happening, but I’ve also experienced it firsthand on more than one occasion in my many years as a hobbyist. The broad explanation for the bloom you’re experiencing is that some aspect of your water-change procedure is either introducing or liberating the dissolved nutrients that are fueling the algae by Saltwater Smarts | Mar 7, 2017 | Reef, Tanks
An ever-shifting salinity level is very stressful to aquarium inhabitants Question I’m a long-time freshwater aquarium hobbyist but considering branching out to a saltwater reef system. In talking with some of my reefkeeper friends, I’ve noticed that they’re rather fixated on evaporation from their tanks and doing daily top-offs. Why so much emphasis on evaporation on the saltwater side of the hobby? This isn’t really an issue at all on the freshwater side. Also, I do a lot of traveling for business purposes, so I’m wondering what others in my situation do about top-offs. – Submitted by Amir” Answer Great question, Amir!
