strange algae..

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 02:57 PM

I have this dark brown algae that will blow off my rocks with a turkey baseter, but settles back down pretty quickly. thing is, if my hand is in the tank while im blowing it off the rocks, it will actually stick to my hand. its not as thick as red slime algae.. had that before.. that would come off in small sheets. this is like big particels.

anyone ran into this before?? just cant seem to get rid of it.

crvz · 03-04-2007, 03:36 PM

How long has the tank been set up? Could be diatoms (which typically go away after a few weeks).

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvz

How long has the tank been set up? Could be diatoms (which typically go away after a few weeks).

think im comming up on a year.. and ive had this problem for a while. it hasnt affected my corals at all.. well the zoas dont open as much, but they still live and multiply. but everything else i have has grown. just looks like crap and the water always has "stuff" floating in it.

you think a UV filter would help?

crvz · 03-04-2007, 04:10 PM

It could. Can you post a picture of the algae? That may help us narrow it down. Also, have you tested your water lately? How is nitrate, phosphate, calcium, alkalinity, ph? And if you can test silicate that may be telling, as I think diatoms live strictly on silicates. Not sure about that, though, I'd have to do some research.

Stuff floating in the water may or may not be solved by a UV filter, though. A UV filter will clear up the water (by killing off small algae in the water column), but I imagine it won't do much for floating particulate. Is there an overflow on the tank? Maybe you could fix up the flow such that it get stuff into the overflow, where it can be collected or skimmed out.

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crvz

It could. Can you post a picture of the algae? That may help us narrow it down. Also, have you tested your water lately? How is nitrate, phosphate, calcium, alkalinity, ph? And if you can test silicate that may be telling, as I think diatoms live strictly on silicates. Not sure about that, though, I'd have to do some research.

Stuff floating in the water may or may not be solved by a UV filter, though. A UV filter will clear up the water (by killing off small algae in the water column), but I imagine it won't do much for floating particulate. Is there an overflow on the tank? Maybe you could fix up the flow such that it get stuff into the overflow, where it can be collected or skimmed out.

havnt tested anything lately.. like Ive said Ive had this problem for a while and last time I tested everything was good.. I havnt tested for phosphates or silicates though. And from everything I have read online, the only way to fix any problems with this stuff is to do more water chages, lower light cycle, skim wet.. ect.. I have done all these things. im also running charcoal filter now.. seems to be helping a tad bit. Its only been running for about 4 days though... but water is still pretty "dirty". I have a 20gal sump with a PM skimmer..

the two anemones are only a few days old too.. not sure whats wrong with them.. hopeing they are just trying to find new homes..

creativereasons · 03-04-2007, 07:29 PM

IMHO they should have opened up already mine opened up the same day i got it and i also have the same problem with the alage same kind i started useing ro water and it has helped alot but i usely take a powerhead before i do the water change and blow all the junk off the rocks and the bottom of my tank that seems to help some also a uv steralizer didn't help mine at all.

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativereasons

IMHO they should have opened up already mine opened up the same day i got it and i also have the same problem with the alage same kind i started useing ro water and it has helped alot but i usely take a powerhead before i do the water change and blow all the junk off the rocks and the bottom of my tank that seems to help some also a uv steralizer didn't help mine at all.

I have an RO/DI unit with TDS meter all reading 000 into the DI chamber and out of the chamber. useing reef crytals salt..

im telling you, im doing everything right.. and I still cant get rid of this crap. ordered a hawaiien yellow tang to help with the hair algae problem im having.. and hopeing that with the hair algae gone and the charcoal filter going for a while this stuff will disapear..

was just hopeing someone knew something about this algae and how to get rid of it..

creativereasons · 03-04-2007, 07:41 PM

well like i said i have the same problem and my tank is 2 and a haf years old the only other thing i can think would maybe be the live rock it does act like a filtration system

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 07:44 PM

well I do apreciate the input.. was mostly wondering if a UV filter would help. and you answered that..

creativereasons · 03-04-2007, 07:52 PM

test your phosphates that could be the reason i just seen what you wrote under your pics i know high phospahtes can cause alot of alage growth

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creativereasons

test your phosphates that could be the reason i just seen what you wrote under your pics i know high phospahtes can cause alot of alage growth

ok... and what should I do if I have high phosphates?

crvz · 03-04-2007, 08:29 PM

A number of options are available. There are some phosphate removers, which will reduce the phosphate levels to nearly unmeasureable levels in a matter of days. The media is relatively inexpensive, but if there are any sources of phosphate in your tank (food, sand bed, LR), it's only a temporary fix. Basically, the media binds the phosphates, then you throw it out after about a day or so, but the phosphate level will increase over time if there something feeding it.

But, again, if there is a source of phosphates in the tank, you'll want to look into other options (changing foods, replacing the sand bed, "cooking" the LR, going bare-bottom, etc). Some of those are drastic. But your "sand bed" looks like some sort of crushed coral or other material. If it's silicate based, you could be seriously feeding a diatom bloom perpetually. I'd look into getting some tests done (pH, silicate, phosphate, nitrate specifically) either by buying some kits or taking some water to a LFS. We need some details in order to really give sound advice.

fdokinawa · 03-04-2007, 08:39 PM

sand bed is from the ocean.. I did a pretty through rinse on it before putting it in.

I'll check nitrates on tomorrow morning(my time), its the only test kit out of those 4 that I have.

fdokinawa · 03-05-2007, 07:54 PM

ok... i tested for:

ammonia .5
Nitrate 10-50
PH 8.2

i just lost a clown fish in the last day or so.. he got stuck between 2 rocks over night and when I freed him he didnt look so hot. I also lost a blue damsil last week, he somehow got into the sump and got sucked into the skimmer.. was almost unrecogniseable he was so choped up.. so im sure these are not helping with my algae problem.

I have 2 new anemones that arnt looking so hot.. i just asked a friend if he could put them in his tank till I got mine strait.

fdokinawa · 03-05-2007, 08:42 PM

man..today is not my day.. i just lost my skunk clown.. he got stuck in a power head. like just within the last hour. =(