/ Register

  1. Do you have an old account but can't access it?


    See Accessing your GIRS Account or Contact Us - We are here to help!

Need help figuring out what is going on in my tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Crystal formerly swcrys, Sep 30, 2013.

  1. Sep 30, 2013 #1
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I moved my cube about two weeks ago. It's been doing great no issues until about 3 days ago. All the sudden there are bubbles forming on everything. There is also some slime along with it. Was thinking maybe slime algae since it could be going into a mini cycle. So I put some chemi clean in last night which always wipes it out really fast. It's been about a year since I have had slim algae issues. But no lluck at all. It's actually gotten worse. So I just did a big water change just about 50 percent. Hoping this helps the issue. Any idea what this is or how to get rid of it? I have only been doing salt for about 3 years. But have never seen this before. I really appreciate all the help I can get on this!!

    Few specs that I know as I'm not good knowing all the technical stuff. It's a 29 gal bio cube. Using chemi pure elite uv sterilizer protein skimmer. 120 w leds. Have an extra krallia pump in addition to the standard pump that came with the cube. I don't have test kits but hope to get some soonand start testing.
     
  2. Sep 30, 2013 #2
    IowaJeeping

    IowaJeeping

    224
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You have pics sounds like what's going on in my tank
    2
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  3. Sep 30, 2013 #3
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I don't have any right now and my tank is cloudy due to the big water change. I will try and get some tom once the water has cleared. I should also mention the 120w led is new on the tank about a week ago. Could this be the issue? Lights to bright? They are dimmable.
     
  4. Sep 30, 2013 #4
    IowaJeeping

    IowaJeeping

    224
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    i running these

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-165W-Full-Spectrum-Dimmable-LED-Reef-Coral-Tank-Marine-Aquarium-Light-w-Lens-/331007553670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d11967086

    and think these might be the issue maybe. The stuff i have going on it like a cyno Dinoflagellates kind of crap and its brownish and comes off very easy.
    Following to see if this is the issue and to see what we have going on
     
  5. Sep 30, 2013 #5
    IowaJeeping

    IowaJeeping

    224
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    more reading I am seeing the lights are not the cause of the growth or boom as its more of nutrient problem and see I am checking testing and showing
    Ammonia-0
    N02-0
    N03-2ppm or something like that lol
    phos-0-.25 ( don't know which in it is cause its hard to read)
    kh-8

    but could be the reason of no phosphates cause the algae is using it all up b4 my test can read it. si how much are you feeding I guess I am asking
     
  6. Sep 30, 2013 #6
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You also need to test your source water.
     
  7. Sep 30, 2013 #7
    BigB

    BigB Well-Known ReefKeeper

    422
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    Take a sample of your water to a local pet store if you dont have any test kits and go from there..
     
  8. Sep 30, 2013 #8
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

    494
    Dubuque
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0
    I'd bet when you moved your tank there was some micro fauna die off that threw it into a mini cycle. When I upgraded tanks last Feb, everything was great for a month. Then brown bubble crap, then cyano and after a couple months it cleared up.
    I had a ph crash from a calcium reactor about 3 months ago everything looked fine for about a month, then brown bubbles, then cyano, and after about 6 weeks all was well again.

    I think tanks need to find their balance and this is part of the process.
     
  9. Sep 30, 2013 #9
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

    494
    Dubuque
    Ratings:
    +28 / 1 / -0
    I'd bet when you moved your tank there was some micro fauna die off that threw it into a mini cycle. When I upgraded tanks last Feb, everything was great for a month. Then brown bubble crap, then cyano and after a couple months it cleared up.
    I had a ph crash from a calcium reactor about 3 months ago everything looked fine for about a month, then brown bubbles, then cyano, and after about 6 weeks all was well again.

    I think tanks need to find their balance and this is part of the process.
     
  10. Sep 30, 2013 #10
    jstngates Toledo Iowa

    jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,787
    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I thought it looked great last week when I was there. You really need to test your water for nitrates and phosphates.
     
  11. Sep 30, 2013 #11
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks just gates! It was doing great then. This bubblestuff just started a few days ago. Seems better in the am and worse at night. II'm gonna try a lights out for three days test cover with towels as well and see if that helps any. I also have some hair algae issues I have been battling for a very long time. It's not the slimy hair algae it's thicker course stuff. The majority of the bubbles and light brown stuff seems to be on the hair algae. Hoping the lights out does the truck. I will also try and get my water tested tomorrow at petco.
     
  12. Sep 30, 2013 #12
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Sorry typing on my phone. Jstngates!! And i meant trick not truck.
     
  13. Sep 30, 2013 #13
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,292
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Is it stringy at all with bubbles on the ends?
     
  14. Oct 1, 2013 #14
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    It is kind of stringy. But bubbles aren't just at the ends.
     
  15. Oct 1, 2013 #15
    Crystal formerly swcrys

    Crystal formerly swcrys Inactive User

    279
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I will try and get a pic loaded tonight. Hard to see it in my pics cause it is mostly attached to the hair algae. And my water was cloudy.
     
  16. Oct 1, 2013 #16
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,292
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0

    Does it look anything like this:[​IMG]
     
  17. Oct 1, 2013 #17
    Bud West Des Moines, IA

    Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    8,876
    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,818 / 14 / -0
    I can tell you with near certainty that you have dinos brought on by the move. Had this happen also. Moving or even changing flow characteristics / patterns can cause a due off of bacterial colonies as well as fauna that are adapted to their conditions.
    Not much you can do but wait it out. Take a piece of airline hose and rigid tubing make a mini siphon and suck it off everywhere you can at least once a day. Feed about 15-20 minutes before lights out, and feed the minimum. Don't black out your tank, But you might reduce the photoperiod or just the peak intensity timeframe. You need bacteria to re-establish so you want to try to keep 'normal' conditions and just wait it out.
    I actually went against what most suggested and extended the light period while I cut feeding back. The idea was to let the photosynthetic organisms take up nutrients. No idea if that worked or if it was just the timing.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...