frustrated an disgusted--algae

[amber]

I'm getting pretty close to desperate again.....I can't figure out what my problem is. I NEVER had an algae problem in my 55. Upgraded to a 125 last June and it is a never ending battle. I use distilled water. It seems to grow where the water flow is best!. I use a Sea Swirl and 2 powerheads. I have sump with caulerpa, tho I have to say the growth is not great (7/24 triton bulb).I always do weekly water changes. I don't think I am overfeeding now--got the phosphates down to .05 from .2. No silicates in the tank, no nitrate or nitrite. pH runs a little low 8.1 or 8.2. Alkalinity runs about 5 meq. I use a Ramora Pro skimmer and have just added another skimmer a friend loaned me. It is a homemade but proven design--about 5 ft. tall and 2 3" Coralife limewood airstones. It is not pulling much out, so I assume the Ramora was doing a good enough job. I drip Kalkwasser from an IV bag, and add A and B (Ca and alkilinity). I have about a 3-4" DSB (except where the fish have dug out caves for themselves under the rocks). I have a number of filter feeders that are doing well. Also candy cane, lobophyllia, mushrooms, leathers, gorgonians, sponges, fox coral (new), buttons....shrimp...med. size tang; bicolor blenny; falco hawkfish; green chromis; 6 line wrasse; 2 breeding(!) bangaiis; cleaner wrasse; lawnmower blenny; pseudochromis that hides all the time: red Scooter blenny. A few margarita snails, limpets, and bumble bee snails. I know I have peanut worms, sessile snails, pods, and mini stars that came as hitchhikers. Lights are 6 96 watt PC.4 are 10K and 2 actinic.
I have used erthromycin and it works with no damage but the red stuff comes back.
Can anyone help me?
I'm open to criticism (did I open pandora's box there????) TIA amber

 

[Katspaw]

My Latest tank is as seasoned as yours, but I had the same problem going on, Out break of hair algae. I recently broke my band on hermit crabs. I purchased scarlet crabs and left handed crabs and three abalonian (sp) snails. They have been in the tank about a week now and what a difference. They are eating away at it at unbelieveable speed. I didn't buy enough for my size tank ( too much money involved) but I figured I don't want them to run out of food too quickly either. HTH

Tracey

 

[jamesw]

Throughout my decade of keeping reeftanks, I have found that hair algae will come and go.

One of the best ways to nip it in the bud it to make sure that you dose your tank heavily with Kalkwasser. Tanks dosed heavily w/ Kalk are not an environment conducive to growing hair algae.

For your makeup water use kalkwasser. My tank evaporates about 2 gallons per day (on a 120) and I replace it all w/ saturated kalkwasser. Works like a charm.

This is in addition to having a good skimmer, aeration, sandbed, etc...

HTH
James Wiseman

 

[amber]

thanks for taking the time to reply Katspaw (do you like cats?? i do) and James. I have just started the kalkwasser in the evap. like you said. It is a DYI "NURSE" which (as best I understand) works on a vacuum. It seems to be working okay so far.
amber

 

[Stuart McCowan]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by amber:
<strong> I have sump with caulerpa, tho I have to say the growth is not great (7/24 triton bulb).

</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think people forget that plants require a period of DARKNESS to grow (It's called the Calvin cycle). During the day they take in energy from light and release Oxygen and at night the complete the cycle and fix carbon dioxide into sugars. If you are running your lights on the sump 24/7 then there is no dark period and hence no chance for the algae to grow. Here is a good link to explain it all:

http://step.sdsc.edu/projects95/Photosynthesis/PHOTOSYN.mac.HTM

Just my 2 Cents worth.
Stuart

[ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Stuart McCowan ]</p>

 

[danmhippo]

Stuart, I have seen reports of such finding, but I am pretty sure you have heard of aquarist running 24/7 with success. I wonder why it is. I run my sump with 24/7 and is harvesting caulerpa prolifera on weekly basis. I find the caulerpa growing in the main tank with 12hr photoperiod is growing at the same speed.

I don't know if I am one of the lucky few to have success with algae growing 24/7, but I am wondering if the "dark period" theory can be applied to underwater plants as well? If yes, how do you explain the success found by so many aquarists?

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

I agree - no dark period need to make my caulerpa grow.

 

[Mouse]

Dont forget a dark pereod will also allow the Celurpa to go sexual, this can have devastating consiquences. And besides, you dont want the Refugeum lights going off at the same time as the tank lights anyhow. The plants use up oxygen and produce Co2 in the night which can have an effect of PH, so if you do decide to use a dark pereod then use a reverse lighting shedule.

Maybe you could try dosing Iron to beef up Celurpa growth, its the main reason why the miracle mud is so effective.

 

[amber]

WOW I sure didn't know that. Thanks for passing on the info. I'll check out the site. amber

 

[Anonymous]

I think a major issue was missed here:

I use distilled water.

Distilled water does not mean it is free of phosphates and other algae nutrients. I've tested distilled water from one of our local hospitals that had over 5ppm phosphate!

I would strongly suggest you find another source of water. Considering the many vendor's selling RO/DI units for $200 and change I'd consider that considering the size of the aquarium you have or at the very least an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter(Deionization).

The fact that you can detect any phosphate in the aquarium water tells me that the algae isn't even growing to it's full potential.

Simple verification though, test your Distilled water for PO4 and Silicates.

 

[humu]

it will probably fade away by itself in a little while, you're doing everything right.
for now just buy as many snails as you can

 

[Minh Nguyen]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Stuart McCowan:
<strong>

I think people forget that plants require a period of DARKNESS to grow (It's called the Calvin cycle). During the day they take in energy from light and release Oxygen and at night the complete the cycle and fix carbon dioxide into sugars. If you are running your lights on the sump 24/7 then there is no dark period and hence no chance for the algae to grow. Here is a good link to explain it all:

http://step.sdsc.edu/projects95/Photosynthesis/PHOTOSYN.mac.HTM

Just my 2 Cents worth.
Stuart

[ March 12, 2002: Message edited by: Stuart McCowan ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
Stuart,
The dark cycle is independent of light. This means it does not require light. However, it does not requires darkness. This is a misunderstanding on your part. Plants growth perfectly well when light 24 hr a day. They grow better with 24 hrs of light than with 10 hrs. Amber refugium may need more light because her light is somewhat weak, but it is OK to turn light on 24/7. Many reefer does this without problem.

 

[esmithiii]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

I think people forget that plants require a period of DARKNESS to grow (It's called the Calvin cycle). During the day they take in energy from light and release Oxygen and at night the complete the cycle and fix carbon dioxide into sugars. If you are running your lights on the sump 24/7 then there is no dark period and hence no chance for the algae to grow. Here is a good link to explain it all:

Darkness is not required for the "dark cycle." It is called the "dark cycle" because light is not part of the equation. The "dark cycle" happens during the lighted period as well. This is a common misunderstood fact.


Ernie

 

[imow]

"During the day they take in energy from light and
release Oxygen and at night the complete the cycle and fix carbon dioxide into sugars."

This photosynethetic reaction is simultaneous in plants.

CO2 + H2O________ C6H1206 + O2 if my memory serves me. Light is only used as a catalyst for this equation.

 

[Minh Nguyen]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by imow:
<strong>"During the day they take in energy from light and
release Oxygen and at night the complete the cycle and fix carbon dioxide into sugars."

This photosynethetic reaction is simultaneous in plants.

CO2 + H2O________ C6H1206 + O2 if my memory serves me. Light is only used as a catalyst for this equation.</strong><hr></blockquote>

No, light is not a catalyst but the energy source for this reaction.

 

[Stuart McCowan]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Minh Nguyen:
<strong>

No, light is not a catalyst but the energy source for this reaction.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Actually...since I am a biochemist, certified Got the Degree and the student loan payments to prove it...I know the reactions very well...as well as that...it does require a "dark" or dim period without intense lighting, otherwise the cycle never goes to completion. Better growth of algae will occur with it than with out...