algae in sump help

kasha · 07-01-2008, 06:40 AM

hi,
so i decided to grow some macro algae in my sump tank and put in a 55W CF. it is on for 6 hours at night. after 1 month my acro algae is growing fast but now i also have lots of other algae in the sump tank coating the walls. how does one grow macro algae without having too much other algae growth? am i doing something wrong? my water parameters are good (phosphates, nitrates near 0 and using RO/DI water)

thanks

Wes · 07-01-2008, 08:57 AM

sounds like you have a phosphate problem

Aqua Pro Builder · 07-02-2008, 09:07 AM

I second Wes' Opinion.

If your phosphate is not high, the macro will out pace the other algae. It's not the macro that spawned the other algae but rather the phosphate level is too high that help support growth of all algae.

kasha · 07-02-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqua Pro Builder


	I second Wes' Opinion. If your phosphate is not high, the macro will out pace the other algae. It's not the macro that spawned the other algae but rather the phosphate level is too high that help support growth of all algae.

The thing is that in my main tank I have stronger lighting and for more hours yet there is little if any algae there. granted there is a cleaning crew but still it seems strange. also my phosphates are low (0.5 ppm)according to a testing kit (although this can be because of the algae that is consuming it).

Wes · 07-02-2008, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kasha


	The thing is that in my main tank I have stronger lighting and for more hours yet there is little if any algae there. granted there is a cleaning crew but still it seems strange. also my phosphates are low (0.5 ppm)according to a testing kit (although this can be because of the algae that is consuming it).

0.5 ppm is high. You should keep them <0.05 ppm. Your testing kit may not be accurate. Most are not, which is why many of us use colorimeters to check phosphate levels.

boardryder · 07-02-2008, 11:54 AM

I agree. I have a similar problem. My PO4 is so hight that all my macro must absorb only soo much and the rest is taken up by nusance algae. Once the hair algae took hold my PO4 measures very low so you probably still have high PO4 its just hidden.

07-01-2008, 06:40 AM	#1
kasha Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: nyc Posts: 82 Reefer Ratings: (2) Friends: (0)	algae in sump help hi, so i decided to grow some macro algae in my sump tank and put in a 55W CF. it is on for 6 hours at night. after 1 month my acro algae is growing fast but now i also have lots of other algae in the sump tank coating the walls. how does one grow macro algae without having too much other algae growth? am i doing something wrong? my water parameters are good (phosphates, nitrates near 0 and using RO/DI water) thanks

07-02-2008, 09:07 AM	#3
Aqua Pro Builder Vendor Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Flushing NY 11355 Posts: 4,742 Reefer Ratings: (75) Friends: (22)	I second Wes' Opinion. If your phosphate is not high, the macro will out pace the other algae. It's not the macro that spawned the other algae but rather the phosphate level is too high that help support growth of all algae. __________________ Wingo's LED Aquarium Main Light Fixtures, Retrofits n Pleasing Moon Light 350G Round Custom Built Motorized Tank My projects http://AquaproBuilder.SUNSUN-USA.com Email WingoAgency@yahoo.com 347 739 2411 My forum in MR my DBTC offers LEDs for Aquarium, Custom Tanks and Maintenance

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07-01-2008, 08:57 AM	#2
Wes Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hoboken Posts: 1,681 Reefer Ratings: (6) Friends: (4)	sounds like you have a phosphate problem

07-02-2008, 11:54 AM	#6
boardryder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT Posts: 258 Reefer Ratings: (2) Friends: (0)	I agree. I have a similar problem. My PO4 is so hight that all my macro must absorb only soo much and the rest is taken up by nusance algae. Once the hair algae took hold my PO4 measures very low so you probably still have high PO4 its just hidden.