Why does algae keep coming back?

S14_Silvia · 04-01-2005, 08:07 PM

Well my new 75 gallon has been setup for about 3 weeks now and in the last couple days algae has started to grow on my rocks. I have a 29 gallon sump with an ASM G3 skimmer, I was hoping the skimmer would help keep better water conditions. As for fish there are only 3 small reef chromis, so I know my bio load is not that high. My lighting consists of a CurrentUSA PC 4x65watt lights. I keep the actinics on from 1PM to 8PM and my daylights on from 2PM to 7PM. So I assumer it can't be too much light. As for water changes and topoffs I am using RO water from my local grocery store. I was having problems with algae in my FO and thought the new one would be better. I just want to get it under control before it becomes a problem. BTW I am using base rock not live rock. Help.....

Ben · 04-01-2005, 09:12 PM

Algae is a pretty normal part of the cycling process. Generally, you'll go through a diatom, a slime, and a hair phase. The base rocks probably have some nutrients in them. The lights, the fish waste, and all the food the fish don't eat feeds the algea. A good skimmer reduces the algae from plague to mild infestation during cycling. Live rock would take up more nutrients and work with the skimmer to keep microalgae growth down.

S14_Silvia · 04-01-2005, 09:37 PM

I figured it was part of the cycling process because my ammonia and nitrates are spiking right now and the algae just started within the last couple days. I was thinking about getting rid of the some of the base rock in favor of live rock. Probably about 40 lbs. of live rock mixed with 30 lbs. of base rock. The live rock would eventually seed my base rock, right?

512148048 · 04-01-2005, 09:40 PM

phosphates

David Grigor · 04-02-2005, 12:58 AM

Even the best skimmer, It can't really process nitrates especially when tank has recently cycled. Grocery store RO water just isn't good enough. Need to invest in a good ro/di unit. They usually don't keep the maintenance up on the filters and such that we need it to be.

Clownnut · 04-02-2005, 01:05 AM

th cub food at EP. they change filter every 15 days. i think others cub will do the samething.

Skipponator · 04-02-2005, 09:17 AM

Do you have even light distribution? I noticed with my PC lighting I'd get cyano, and then when I got to my MH lighting I was battling it again, not as bad, but I still had some. But I'd have darker spots in the tank since the canopy I originally had limited the light output significantly. I built a new canopy and have even light distribution and have not had any signs of algea on the sand or rocks or even on my powerheads, spray bar, etc.. I also have a large cleanup crew and I think that really helps too.

Just a thought.

S14_Silvia · 04-02-2005, 11:15 AM

What kind of cleanup crew would you recommend? I currently put 1 large turbo snail in there, but what else should I get. I am going to be getting a flame hawkfish once the tank is cycled so I know that limits my clean up crew.

Also, I want to invest in a good RO/DI unit, but which one. I'm kind of on a limited budget so I can spend up to $150, not sure if I can get much for that.

Floppy · 04-02-2005, 11:37 AM

You can get a good ro/di off of ebay for $100.

For a cleanup crew, get as many Astrea's, Cerith's and Nerites as you can I have about 50-60 totall in my 20g. Talk to Jerry(JnS on the board) he has them for el' cheapo.

S14_Silvia · 04-02-2005, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floppy

You can get a good ro/di off of ebay for $100.

For a cleanup crew, get as many Astrea's, Cerith's and Nerites as you can I have about 50-60 totall in my 20g. Talk to Jerry(JnS on the board) he has them for el' cheapo.

What do you consider a "Good" ro unit. I see them all over ebay, but I have no idea which ones are quality and which ones are cheapys. Do I want a 3stage, 4stage, 6stage????

Floppy · 04-02-2005, 11:47 AM

filterdirect on ebay has some good units.

JS_racer · 04-02-2005, 12:53 PM

http://search-desc.ebay.com/FilterDi...Z2QQsacatZ1281

just bought the tank one, will be here wed.

Skipponator · 04-02-2005, 01:00 PM

My parents and I have the same RO/DI as everyone else has stated from filtersdirect. Very good unit. In my 90, which is same foot print as your 75, only mine is taller, I have 150 Ceriths, 100 Astrea, 150+ blue legs, some red legs, some zebra legs, a cucumber, a cleaner shrimp, a Hawk Wing Conch, 1 Turbo, and 1 Scarlet hermit, ofcourse there a a few bristle worms around, not many though.

I'd look up JnS for cleanup crew.

-Skip