getting a digital camera! and algae question

[BigDaddy]

Whoo just ordered one on amazon... Im gonna use it (among other things) to keep track of how my tank looks as it matures.

Right now I have a TON of diatom aka SLIME algae which is a bummer... I'll brush it off and it's back within days. I've been changing water once every 2 days on the order of 15%. everything is 0 except trates which are at 5-10 (cant really tell with that stupid match the color test). I think I overfeed slightly so I will back off with that (down to once every other day instead of once a day)

Lights are on for 14hrs a day but they need to stay on for the corals. Anyway what's the solution!??? The astreas seem to do a good job but I only have 4... Don't want a turbo because they will knock my corals over.

[tims]

Congrads on getting the Camera!

who are you feeding? and why 14 hours of light? turbos are not that bad.. but do a better job on hair algae..
i would say what you are doing sounds fine..

[skeety]

Originally Posted by BigDaddy

Right now I have a TON of diatom aka SLIME algae which is a bummer... I'll brush it off and it's back within days.

Had the same problem. Didn't really stop. Now, everytime I top off the water, or do a water change, I get a mini-diatom outbreak. An RO/DI unit will stop this, since it's the silicates in normal tap water which feed them, and the RO/DI will filter those out. And that's why it's the VERY next thing on my list to get!

Might wanna add it to your list too! hehehe