Hello and Help

Reggie7 · 08-23-2007, 01:58 PM

Hey everyone, I really need help!. Well, I don't need help but my 24g nano cube needs help. I left the country for a little over a month and charged my dad to take care of the nano cube. When I returned the tank was overrun with hair algae and the water quality was just terrible. My resilient damsel survived smehow. A few days a go I scrubbed the buildup of hair algae off the huge pieces of live rock. The water is clear but the algae is coming back so quickly. What can I do? Somebody......Anybody.....Help!
Oh and here's a picture
Reggie7

BigAl07 · 08-23-2007, 02:21 PM

He probably grossly over fed.. had lights on too much and your water was over due for a water change.

I would cut way back on lighting for a few days, cut back on feeding and do a MAJOR water change. Something was feeding your algae and you need to cut back. Also what type of food are you using? A lot of foods are heavy on phosphates which will promote algae growth. This didn't come on suddenly and it will go away even MORE slowly. So just sit back and make subtle changes and you will eventually get rid of it. I would NOT resort to chemical additives as they will probably cause a see-saw effect in your tank.

good luck.

Allen

blue_eyes53813 · 08-23-2007, 02:21 PM

I would do weekly water changes over the next month or 2. it is gonna take some time. If possible take the rock out and scrub and rinse in a separte container. I would even leave that rock out for awhile if there isnt any coral on it. Run carbon and phosban non stop. it is probaly from over feeding or lots of nutrients in the water.

Anselth · 08-23-2007, 02:22 PM

What are your tank parameters? Nitrate and Phosphate levels will contribute to hair algae blooms. What kind of clean up crew do you have? One think you can do is cut back on the amount of time your lights are on during the day. Also, changing the light bulb if it hasn't been done within the last 8months to a year can help. As bulbs age, their wavelength shifts into a spectrum favored by algae.

BigAl07 · 08-23-2007, 02:36 PM

Oh good point.. the bulbs could have shifted ever so slightly in spectrum and be more condussive to algae growth. If they are 6 months or more older change them out just to be on the SAFE side.

I also meant to mention phosban and carbon non-stock (make sure it's fresh, I'd change it out every other week or so).

Allen

Reggie7 · 08-23-2007, 04:42 PM

Thanks for your reply. I've been checking my nitrate level and its at zero, but I suspect that it may be the phospahates. Thanks Again

BigAl07 · 08-23-2007, 04:45 PM

It could be JUST from your food source or still over feeding.. make slight adjustments and take it slow along WITH water changes

Reggie7 · 08-23-2007, 04:47 PM

Thanks Everyone for your responses. I've been checking my nitrate level and its at zero, but I suspect that it may be the phospahates. Also I feed my damsel Prime Reef Flakes, it claims to be low phosphorus. I've had my nano cube for about a year and a half so it probably is time for some bulb matainence. I'm definately going to try the phosban after I test and the carbon. Thanks Again

BEELZEBOB · 08-23-2007, 04:52 PM

a quick fix for hair algea and brown funk,and an easy catch later are black mollies.

they can be acclimated from fresh to salt, and will literally starve your CUC if you leave them in for too long.

DrHank · 08-23-2007, 06:13 PM

Bob's absolutely right and they might help a bunch for your sized tank.

flricordia · 08-23-2007, 08:14 PM

With a lot of algea phosphates may test low since the algae feeds on it. Test in the morning after lights have been out through the night. I would get the phosban anyway and use it. Good luck.

08-23-2007, 01:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Reggie7 Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hello and Help Hey everyone, I really need help!. Well, I don't need help but my 24g nano cube needs help. I left the country for a little over a month and charged my dad to take care of the nano cube. When I returned the tank was overrun with hair algae and the water quality was just terrible. My resilient damsel survived smehow. A few days a go I scrubbed the buildup of hair algae off the huge pieces of live rock. The water is clear but the algae is coming back so quickly. What can I do? Somebody......Anybody.....Help! Oh and here's a picture Reggie7

08-23-2007, 02:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,342 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hello and Help He probably grossly over fed.. had lights on too much and your water was over due for a water change. I would cut way back on lighting for a few days, cut back on feeding and do a MAJOR water change. Something was feeding your algae and you need to cut back. Also what type of food are you using? A lot of foods are heavy on phosphates which will promote algae growth. This didn't come on suddenly and it will go away even MORE slowly. So just sit back and make subtle changes and you will eventually get rid of it. I would NOT resort to chemical additives as they will probably cause a see-saw effect in your tank. good luck. Allen __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

08-23-2007, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 fully trained mod,,,its my fault~ Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,097 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hello and Help I would do weekly water changes over the next month or 2. it is gonna take some time. If possible take the rock out and scrub and rinse in a separte container. I would even leave that rock out for awhile if there isnt any coral on it. Run carbon and phosban non stop. it is probaly from over feeding or lots of nutrients in the water. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

08-23-2007, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anselth Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 901 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hello and Help What are your tank parameters? Nitrate and Phosphate levels will contribute to hair algae blooms. What kind of clean up crew do you have? One think you can do is cut back on the amount of time your lights are on during the day. Also, changing the light bulb if it hasn't been done within the last 8months to a year can help. As bulbs age, their wavelength shifts into a spectrum favored by algae. __________________ -Adam Learning on the fly My 70 Gallon Reef My 110 Gallon Build

08-23-2007, 02:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,342 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hello and Help Oh good point.. the bulbs could have shifted ever so slightly in spectrum and be more condussive to algae growth. If they are 6 months or more older change them out just to be on the SAFE side. I also meant to mention phosban and carbon non-stock (make sure it's fresh, I'd change it out every other week or so). Allen __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

08-23-2007, 04:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reggie7 Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hello and Help Thanks for your reply. I've been checking my nitrate level and its at zero, but I suspect that it may be the phospahates. Thanks Again

08-23-2007, 04:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,342 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hello and Help It could be JUST from your food source or still over feeding.. make slight adjustments and take it slow along WITH water changes __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

08-23-2007, 04:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Reggie7 Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 6 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hello and Help Thanks Everyone for your responses. I've been checking my nitrate level and its at zero, but I suspect that it may be the phospahates. Also I feed my damsel Prime Reef Flakes, it claims to be low phosphorus. I've had my nano cube for about a year and a half so it probably is time for some bulb matainence. I'm definately going to try the phosban after I test and the carbon. Thanks Again

08-23-2007, 06:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hello and Help Bob's absolutely right and they might help a bunch for your sized tank. __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

08-23-2007, 08:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
flricordia Just Mike for short Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 595 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hello and Help With a lot of algea phosphates may test low since the algae feeds on it. Test in the morning after lights have been out through the night. I would get the phosban anyway and use it. Good luck.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)