Crazy Algae Problem In A Reef Tank!

[JLAudio]

I recently had a lot of trouble with green algae in my reef. All my parameters are good, My nitrates are at 10, this same as they have been. My phosphates are a bit high(1.0) but been this high for as long as I tested and never caused problems before. There are a few changes which coub be the result,they are

1) recently added an old uv sterilizer on it (a submersible internal one)
2) I put phosphaguard at the end of the return line in a filter bag.
3) Put a new MH light, with (2) 250 mh, and 4 65 PC's, doubling my light

I have a 110 tank, so im gonna do a 20% water change today, so any thoughts please write

thanks

 

[nanoreefer22]

The stronger lighting might have something to do with it. Before you upgraded to the MH's what was your light setup?

 

[zahner]

water change is a good first step, but please post some more info on your tank to help diagnose the problem. Actual numbers for all your water parameters, info on tank inhabitants, what you are feeding and how often, are you using RO/DI for topoff, and a picture would be helpful.

 

[Davidl919]

Depending on the flow, the submersible uv might not do much if flow is low, also how old, the uv bulb might need replacing. Nitrates and phosphates should be at 0. If your going through an algea bloom they will be there no matter what light you give it so your lights might not be important in this. Water temp is also a consideration and as zahner added you should be using rodi water.
Don't go crazy with water changes do them subtle or algea will be the least of your problems. Stress fish= equals ick.
Algea benefits from high temp, light, low flow, and contiminants in water.
Hope this helps.

 

[ShaunW]

New more intense lights with nitrates and phosphates that high would stimulate algae growth (like Kris said).

To get rid of the algae, you should decrease their levels (water changes, high skimming, less feeding of the tank, phosphate reactor). Also getting more cleanup critters to eat the algae (depending on what species of green algae you have).

 

[JLAudio]

my ammonia and nitrite are zero, calcium 400, salinity 1.024, ph is 8.4. My nitrate is 10, my phosphate is 1.0 (but was always at this level)

I use DI water, I assume I should use an RO/DI unit, I actually have one but need to get a bunch of parts to get it working

My previos lighting was also MH, 2 150's MH, and 2 96 MH

I feed my tank everyday but always have and problem all of a sudden,

Today I reversed everything I did the other day, I unplugged old UV, I removed filter bag with carbon and phiosphaguard and did 15 gallon water change, seeing what happens

 

[nanoreefer22]

I doubt that removing carbon will help reduce your algae problem.

Like Shaun and I said, the newer more intense lighting could contribute to the sudden burst of algae in the tank. Although you're phosphates were always at 1.0 you should still work on gettin them lower.

Also if you're trying to make a significant difference in your levels you should try a water change slightly larger than 15g. Maybe 25% of your tank or about 30g's.

On another note, what test kits do you use?

 

[ming]

The phosphates are part of the problem, theres no doubt about it. the nitrates are secondary, but I would concentrate on the phosphates. It doesn't matter if it was always like that.
Its like saying "I never made a water change ever before, and my fish are dying, but they were living before so its nothing to do with water changes"
If you know anything about plants (and algae is a plant), phosphates and nitrates are the primary macro-nutrients they utilize.

 

[psuedo74]

The phosphates are part of the problem, theres no doubt about it. the nitrates are secondary, but I would concentrate on the phosphates. It doesn't matter if it was always like that.
Its like saying "I never made a water change ever before, and my fish are dying, but they were living before so its nothing to do with water changes"
If you know anything about plants (and algae is a plant), phosphates and nitrates are the primary macro-nutrients they utilize.

Had the same problem and I went out and bought 100 hermits and 75 snails

1 week = no green hair algea


Ebay is great for finding cheap clean up crews...

 

[ming]

congrats to you. hope you're only keeping softies because high phosphates hinders calcification of LPS/SPS
I prefer to avoid the problem in the first place, rather then mask it

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Do you have any pics of this algae problem you can post?

 

[Awibrandy]

Phosphate reactor, increase water change by frequency & amount and use ro/di water, reduction of light for a period of time, clean up crew. And give it time to work, algea is not going to dissapear over night. Unless of course you manually take it all out of your tank, and follow up with the above recommendations. This is what worked for me.

 

[meschaefer]

Without a doubt the increase in lighting fuled by the presence of phosphate led to your algae problems. Get yourself a phosphate reactor for the phosphate media, some water changes and a little bit of time.

 

[JLAudio]

Thanks everyone, Im looking online today for a phosphate reactor, and gonna do another 10 gallons of water change today and get a seperate time for my MH bulbs, because i realized there on for almost 12 hrs! Probably too much

I use a red sea kit, and instant ocean to test my parameters

 

[fritz]

6 hours is a good photoperiod for MH to start with, you can bump it up to 8 if you feel it necessary but usually it isn't needed.

 

[Awibrandy]

6hrs. MH - 12hrs.VHO on my tank no algea..

 

[Bob 1000]

Aim some maxi jets at it and presto...1 week later But don't over do on acros...And I'm going 12hrs with 10 pc's 8 t5's 180 gal...