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Substrate Algae Help


Dunlager

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Ok,

 

So I moved from a 10 gallon to my 25 gallon lagoon 57 days ago. I had about 10 lbs of live rock and I added another 10 pounds of dry when I set it up.

 

Recently I have been seeing a brownish/green algae growing on the substrate. While not world ending it is a pain in the ass.

 

Here are my current parameters:

dKh - 8.5
Ca - 440
NO3 - 0
PO4 - 0.00

Photoperiod with SB Reef light 50% blues 8 hours and then Whites 15% for 6 hours.

Skimmer 24/7 - Wet tea colored skim

Running Carbon (5tbls) GFO (Ttbls) mixed in IM reactor.

Filter floss and Marine Pure Balls (x4) in media basket.
5 gallon WC weekly with RedSea Pro

 

The one thing that popped up was the water I get from the LFS. It is filtered but it tested at 50 ppm via my TDS. Now I am not sure if this is how it has been for the last few weeks, but it is the only thing that I can think of.

 

Can mixing saltwater with a TDS of 50 cause the algae?

 

FYI - I just ordered my own RO/DI system from Spectrapure so I will be able to control my own water.


Also, when I do water changes I vacuum the sand bed since it is only about an inch deep. A day or so after, the algae blooms up again.

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Ok,

 

So I moved from a 10 gallon to my 25 gallon lagoon 57 days ago. I had about 10 lbs of live rock and I added another 10 pounds of dry when I set it up.

 

Recently I have been seeing a brownish/green algae growing on the substrate. While not world ending it is a pain in the ass.

 

Here are my current parameters:

dKh - 8.5

Ca - 440

NO3 - 0

PO4 - 0.00

 

Photoperiod with SB Reef light 50% blues 8 hours and then Whites 15% for 6 hours.

 

Skimmer 24/7 - Wet tea colored skim

Running Carbon (5tbls) GFO (Ttbls) mixed in IM reactor.

Filter floss and Marine Pure Balls (x4) in media basket.

5 gallon WC weekly with RedSea Pro

 

The one thing that popped up was the water I get from the LFS. It is filtered but it tested at 50 ppm via my TDS. Now I am not sure if this is how it has been for the last few weeks, but it is the only thing that I can think of.

 

Can mixing saltwater with a TDS of 50 cause the algae?

 

This is likely your problem, but one cannot be sure IMO.

 

FYI - I just ordered my own RO/DI system from Spectrapure so I will be able to control my own water.

 

If TDS is the problem this will fix it.

Also, when I do water changes I vacuum the sand bed since it is only about an inch deep. A day or so after, the algae blooms up again.

 

Your substrate can be a detritus trap but I am guessing the high TDS is your problem.

 

I would bet with a good/better source of water and a couple of 20% water changes and your problem will be solved. In this hobby the quality of your starting water is a big factor in the success of your program.

 

Happy reefing!

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I assume it's cyano. Were you testing for nutrients prior to the bloom, or just subsequent to the bloom? Also, did you transfer the sand too? And if so, did you clean it before putting it in your new tank?

 

I agree, a bad water source could cause problems like this. Good choice on the personal RO/DI.

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Just out of curiosity I'd test the LFS water for phosphates if possible. Now that it's present, that cyano is probably consuming it faster than you can test for it. My water is at about 2-3 ppm and I haven't had any issues. I should also note that this is location dependent (i.e. source water).

 

Other options:

- Refugium

- Algae scrubber

- GFO reactor

- Power heads

- Sand sifting live stock

 

The last 2 don't actually solve your problem, just help to hide it. An Algae scrubber will definitely out compete anything in the tank. The refugium will help but doesn't typically completely cure the issue. GFO reactor is probably the cheapest and most effective.

 

Hope this helps.

 

-Spencer

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