Algae Problem ???

[trishy711]

Hi, I have a 110 gallon reef tank and a massive hair algae problem. I saw some green hair algae growing about 3 months ago and though nothing of it. I used to run canister filters and now i have a 29 gallon sump with a octopus nw-200 protein skimmer and i thought the skimmer would pull the algae out but it isn't. what can i do besides taking all of the rock out and cleaning it off ? The algae is everywhere and really getting to be an eye sore. Pleae help ! Thank You

[Loverotties]

You need to get rid of the food for it(phosphate)Are you using RO/DI water for your WC and topoff?(you need too).Add a phoshate material to your canister but a phosphate reactor is better.

[Neuticle]

The only thing that eats hair algae efficient enough to get rid of it is GFO. I swear by it now, I will run GFO in my phos reactor as long as my tank is up and running.

My tank looked like a Jim Henson muppet a month ago, phosban is a silver bullet.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Loverotties

You need to get rid of the food for it(phosphate)Are you using RO/DI water for your WC and topoff?(you need too).Add a phoshate material to your canister but a phosphate reactor is better.

Start with the source,your top off/water change water. Make sure you're using ro/di, if you are chekc your tds to make sure your filters dont need replacing. Also make sure you're not over feeding the tank.

[crvz]

Algae is a result of inadequate nutrient export and/or too much nutrient import. Too much food, not enough water changes, inadequate skimming, or areas that trap wastes (like the canister filter) are some of the first places to look (as well as the source water). Here's a good article to read and get a few ideas.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php

[trishy711]

What kind of phosphate reactor should i get ? where do i get one ? Thank You

[Brocnizer]

in my opinion, phosphate reactors do not stop an on going algae attack. Speaking from experience of my own, I thought a simple phosphate reactor was the solution to my problem.

First identify why so many nutrients built up in the tank. next try to get rid of as many as possible, including sucking the algae out.

After the clean up, run the phosphate reactor. It will maintain low to zero levels if run properly. I haven't had an algae break out since my major clean up which took 2 months and then changing my phosphate media once a month even though they say it can last longer

I have the "two little fishes" phosphate reactor and I have had Zero issues. But I did add stainless steel clamps to the connections to avoid a mishap!

[Neuticle]

^agreed, didn't mean to make it sound like I don't clean and do water changes. My reactor is made from PVC, it's a simple up-flow design, you can buy one for $40 or make one for $10.

I turned to GFO when conservative feeding and liberal water changes didn't seem to help.

[trishy711]

Hi, I have been looking at "Two Little Fishes" phosphate reactors and i dont understand how they work (is this what i need?) http://cgi.ebay.com/Two-Little-Fishi...QQcmdZViewItem.
Doest this come with good media for the reactor ? I have been doing small water changes every week and the algae is not getting worse but it is also not going away. I used to run canister filters and my local fish store said that if i went to a sump the skimmer would pull all the algae out. So i bought a lifereef overflow and a 29 gallon sump with an Octopus NW-200 skimmer and it hasn't gotten worse but the hair algae is not going away and is really an eye sore. Also what is GFO ??? Thank You

[Neuticle]

GFO is granular ferric oxide (rust pellets), that kit is everything you need. Phosban brand GFO is pretty good, it was one of the first brands to market GFO, I use it when I find it cheap, otherwise I use generic GFO.

It is possible for your alk to drop within the first few hours of putting a fresh batch of GFO in your reactor. Nothing scary, just check it after a few hours and buffer as needed. I usually drop 1-2 dkH, it's such a small drop for me, that it could be chaulked up to standard deviation.