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Algae and Corals receding

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Rocketmann, Mar 6, 2013.

  1. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
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    I generally try to research this stuff myself, but I'm having some real issues now and I could use some help. I've always been battling some nitrate and algae issues in my 28g nano, but now I have a more important issue. I have one colony of zoas near the top of my tank that has been closed up for a week and they're really receding now. I also have a candy cane that has really shrank in size during that same time period.


    I took every test I have the kits for last night and here are my water parameters:


    0 - Ammonia


    0 - Nitrite


    0 - Nitrate


    8.2 - Ph


    1.027 - Salinity


    76° - Temp


    0 - Phosphates


    144 - Alkalinity


    My nitrates have always been around 5 to 10ppm. I was using tap water 4 months ago and then switched to RO/DI water and it's been getting better. I started using Seachem DeNitrate in a little fishes reactor a few weeks ago and my nitrates have dropped to 0. To install that I had to take out the stock skimmer. Boo...


    The algae I have isn't terrible, but I want to get a handle on it. I have some bright green slimy stuff on one side, dark purple-ish red slimy stuff in another area, and hairy stuff on a couple rocks. I've lower my temp. I have my 36w Par38 LED bulb on a timer from 7:45am to 6:30pm. I do weekly 5g water changes. I've also been using Algaefix for just over a month. I don't see any parasites or anything. I have an emerald crab, hermit crab, about 5 bumble bee snails, 4 or 5 Astea snails, and about 4 zerinth snails.


    Any ideas? I could put skimmer back on and take off reactor. Stop using algaefix, since it's not working anyway. Go lights out for a while? Thanks guys. I finally thought I was doing good with 0 nitrates and then this happens. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/sad.gif
     
  2. hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    730
    Ratings:
    +131 / 0 / -0
    I would reduce the photoperiod, 4 or 5 hours for now. You are testing zero because the algae is using up the nutrients before you can test for them - locking them up so to speak. I am suspicious of the seachem media in the reactor - it's really just little tiny bioballs that bacteria colonize - they don't use the media for a food source like biopellets. Similar to other porous media like ceramics they can get clogged and the nitrate actually increases.

    Nitrates really don’t make algae explode it’s the phosphate. Many tanks run high nitrate (well 10ppm) and no algae if they remove phosphate. The tests we have for phosphate are not great and don’t have the resolution to see small amounts, it can also be utilized in algae before you can test for it.

    I think a phosphate media would work best, GFO either in a bag or reactor. That should help with new algae growing, but the stuff already in there is harder to deal with but a good CUC or manual removal is best. Can also remove the rock and spot treat with peroxide.
     
  3. ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

    473
    Williamsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +126 / 0 / -0
    I'd stop dosing anything, and put the skimmer back on. Do you have a sand bed and how often do you clean it? If you have algae issues you have nutrient issues. Rotting detritus in sand beds are the usual source.
     
  4. ShaneP Well Known Hawkfish

    473
    Williamsburg, IA
    Ratings:
    +126 / 0 / -0
    What Hart said is all great advice, but I would add that if you remove the detritus in a timely manner and don't have it hanging out in your system, then you shouldn't need a GFO reactor.
     
  5. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
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    Thanks, I appreciate the info.

    I had the sugar fine sand and then replaced with larger grain just after Christmas. Just a little bit at a time during water changes. During the water changes I really try to vacuum up the crud in the rock. I pull the hairy stuff that is on the rock, but haven't really scrubbed them down. I can try the peroxide method this weekend.

    I'll try to swap things back around and put my big CPR skimmer on. Then I'll put the lights on a shorter cycle. Should I just feed once a day then? Or put in some food while lights are off. I forgot to say, my only livestock is a percula clown and lawnmower blenny. I think I'm doing pretty good not overfeeding them. I only put in a couple little pellets at a time so they eat them all most of the time.

    Beyond the algae issues, I don't understand how it is affecting those corals. Could it be the algaefix? I've used purple up before too, but it's been about a month since I put that in.
     
  6. hart

    hart Well-Known ReefKeeper

    730
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    +131 / 0 / -0
    I have heard of algaefix making corals mad, so that is my guess. Keep in mind that killing the algae all at once releases all their nutrients back into the tank, so other forms of algae or bacteria that are not as sensitive to the chemicals can grow using those released nutrients. It's also possible the corals don't like the sudden influx of nutrients or a combination of the two. I don't think you need a gfo reactor, but I would put some in a media bag where it gets some flow. At least until the algae is under control.
     
  7. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I had heard that some people had put the DeNirate rock in with their rock bed. Any problems doing that? I figured if I'm going to pull the reactor off, maybe I could just put the rock in my tank towards the back. I know it's supposed to have low flow, but I figured it might be better than just tossing it.
     

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