[Stanfill Reef]

I finally got rid of my hair algae. I think that changing the PC bulbs and religiously harvesting the algae from the rocks during water changes. I am happy to finally have it gone.

I am wondering if my water had added to the my problems, though. I just purchased the RO unit that everyone has been talking about from ebay. Part of my purchase was a TDS meter. With it I discovered that the RO water I have been purchasing from my LFS had a TDS of 15 ppm , vs. 1 ppm for the RO water I am now making at home and 50 ppm water from my tap.

Just a word of warning to those that purchase RO water, have it tested independently for quality, or you will end up with less than perfect water.

 

[triggerhappy8]

I am now fighting green algae and what appears to be the beginnings of red slime and bubble algae. I currently use RO water bought at the local Publix but have no way to test for metals or phosphates. Could bad RO water be the cause? Any other suggestions? I leave my lights on for only 8 hours but would like more for my corals. Anyone in ATL have a TDS or phosphate test kit I could use if I came to the next meeting?

 

[sammy33]

Congratulations on winning the algae battle!

I purchased one of the Sprite TDS meters and discovered similiar deficiencies in the water I was previously using (from the vending machine). I switched to the bottled red label Publix water for most of the last year and then recently got the ebay (aquasafe canada) RO/DI.

triggerhappy8- I will be happy to bring my TDS meter if you need to test your water.