Need help with Hair Algae and Ph issues

[dnreef]

First, I am having a problem with hair algae. It is not all over the tank, but in the areas where it is starting to grow it is proving difficult to remove. I have about 2700 gph of flow in a 75 gallon tank, run an Octopus extreme 200 skimmer and run Chemipure elite to help with the phosphates. My phosphates read .01 on an electronic meter at the last LIRA meeting and the rest of my parameters are listed below.

Second, my pH is too low and I'm not sure how to raise it. I know that low pH can be caused by excessive decomposition of organic waste and was wondering if this might also be a cause of the algae problem.

I run (2) 250w 14K hqi MH for 5 hours a day and PC actinics for 12. I have a mixed reef with 7 fish (2 wrasses, 1 potters angel, 2 blennies and 2 gobies), my LPS are always full and have been growing and coloring up well and I am finally getting my SPS to survive (all are starting to grow and crust onto the plugs or rocks they are on).

Sg1.025; pH7.8, Ammonia0, Nitrite0, Nitrate0, Phosphate0.01, Calcium430, kH8, Mg1320, Temp76, B1 additive15cc, B2 additive15cc, Magnesion (Brightwell)15cc

In sum, I need help with getting rid of or controlling the hair algae and raising and maintaining the pH. Hope this gives you all enough info to work with. Let me know if I need to add more.

 

[xvinny631x]

Get a healthy tang! They love hair algae... As for ph, mine is 7.9 without any problems.. I know 8.3 is ideal but i could never get it that high.. Buffers are only a temporary fix. I have an atlantic blue tang i would trade for some coral if ur interested..

 

[dnreef]

I was wondering about using a tang to help control the algae. I like the idea of controlling things naturally. I'll send you a pm after the Jet game with some of the things that I might be able to trade. Thanks for the idea.

 

[xvinny631x]

sounds good!

 

[Imbarrie]

What is your feeding pattern?



Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[dnreef]

What is your feeding pattern?



Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

I usually feed twice a day. I use a variety of frozen foods. Sometimes the fish only get fed once a day.

 

[rgun2515]

Get a TANG, and some emerald crabs... Will do wonders

 

[dnreef]

Get a TANG, and some emerald crabs... Will do wonders

I had emarald crabs but I think my wrasses liked them a bit too much. I think I'll try the tang idea.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Crack a window to get some fresh air or add some macro algae with 24/7 lighting.That pH needs to come up a bit.

 

[anthony27]

make water change water add ph buffer to it and then do the water change, hook up a bucket with water and ph buffer and have it drip in the system slowly till the ph is the right ammount. Also buy a tang, or a sea hair.

 

[Jaynie1028]

If you want to bring up just your PH without raising your alk buy seachem aquavitro BALANCE. It works amazing. I have been using it for the past week and I only added it ONCE and my ph has been at 8.4 and has not dropped at all. It does have great reviews. I got mine at Aquahut in Coram NY for 6.99 a bottle. Worth every penny.

Good luck

 

[ed51802]

ro/di or tap i use tap and cant get rid of it only in small patches need an ro/di

 

[mheaven]

I run (2) 250w 14K hqi MH for 5 hours a day and PC actinics for 12.

I may be wrong but if you run your lights (MH) with a longer photo period it may help with the ph. Also as someone already suggested opening a window for a couple of hours will let some fresh air in and help raise you PH. Just my $.02

 

[dnreef]

I use RO/DI. Why would cracking the window help? I also run chaeto in the sump and keep the light on when the MH is off in the display tank.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

I use RO/DI. Why would cracking the window help? I also run chaeto in the sump and keep the light on when the MH is off in the display tank.

theory goes that homes/apartments now a day are better insulated...less air in or out therefore trapping the co2 inside. if you crack open a window or run your skimmer air intake hose outside to draw in fresh air....this would help raise the o2 level and in turn raise the ph.
not an urban legend, it help raised my ph from 8.0 to 8.2 almost over night.