Green filmy algae - caused by ROOM lights?

[JT101]

Ever take note of something so long after the fact that you feel like an idiot for never noticing it before? Well, I'm feeling that way bigtime right now...

My tank was established May 2011. Lately I have noticed that the green film algae that I have ALWAYS had (on this tank as well as an AquaPod 24 I had from 2006 until 2011 in the same room) is a little bit worse.

I was looking at how ugly my LR looks with the lights off (OR with just the daylight LEDs on) when I noticed a pattern. The algae on the sand is almost nonexistent further back, whereas right up front it's very noticeable AND the LR tips are more green on the parts that face forward.

Then I look up at something that has been in my house for ages - a ceiling fan with (3) 100W incandescent bulbs. I posted a pic (it looks a lot brighter than it really is but these ARE 100W bulbs so...).

Now: Am I FINALLY onto something here? Could this be the elusive culprit? My nitrates have been essentially zero since cycling, phosphates are zero etc. My corals (with the exception of two brains I'm having trouble with) are doing fine - yet the algae persists.

My RO/DI water has 0ppm; as soon as I see 1ppm I change my resin.

What could this be? I see so many algae-free tanks and I don't know what I am doing wrong...

Thanks
John

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

I think it is very unlikely. What are you feeding your tank?

 

[MatthewScars]

i think it is very unlikely. What are you feeding your tank?

+1

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

to expand on it, it's normal during the cycle period to get green algae but as your tank matures this is a normal sign of high nutrients. You stated you keep your tds at 0 so the good thing is we know the water for changes/evap should be good. So it could be multiple things that may affect it, like type of lighting old bulbs?, what are you feeding your tank...some food are known to have phosphates which need to be rinsed prior to feeding, and overfeeding just to hit on the most common.

 

[JT101]

I think it is very unlikely. What are you feeding your tank?

Every 3 days I put in a pinch of Omega One with Garlic (a pinch being what I can pinch between my thumb & forefinger).

About once a week I also feed a cube of cyclops.

 

[JT101]

to expand on it, it's normal during the cycle period to get green algae but as your tank matures this is a normal sign of high nutrients. You stated you keep your tds at 0 so the good thing is we know the water for changes/evap should be good. So it could be multiple things that may affect it, like type of lighting old bulbs?

CAD Lights 48" LED fixture, bought in May 2011.

what are you feeding your tank...some food are known to have phosphates which need to be rinsed prior to feeding, and overfeeding just to hit on the most common.

Please see above post (Omega One and some cyclops).

I want to note that I think I feed my tank VERY sparingly. I have read about people feeding their fish every other day with no ill effects.

 

[JT101]

I tried to keep my signature very accurate and up-to-date. It lists all of my equipment. Does anyone see anything on there that might be causing my issue (i.e., I have been told the Coralife 65g skimmer is an "entry level" skimmer - could it be just not skimming enough).

While I'm on the subject of skimming, I almost forgot to report that, aside from the VERY beginning when my LR was new from the LFS, my skimmate is ALWAYS very light in color - sorta like a very weak yellowish tea. I NEVER got the gunky, deep brown stuff I see so often posted on here. Is this because 1) my skimmer sucks :irked: or 2) my tank is clean?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

-How are you checking for phosphates?
-Are you 100% sure your rodi water is coming out 100% 0 TDS (have you checked with another meter)
-Your skimmer sucks (sorry for being honest) * you need a real skimmer *
-How many water changes and how big are the water changes are you doing every week or every 2 weeks?
-Maybe cut that cube of cyclopeeze in half and just feed that.
-How long do you have your lights on for the day?
-How long are you keeping the phosban in the reactor for? How much are you putting in there and how much are you tumbling it?
-How big is your clean up crew and what does it consist of?

maybe these question will help ya out

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

When was the last time you changed your media as well?

A lot of decent skinner's for unsympathetic like bubble magus or check sc ebay version with just as good reviews.

 

[JT101]

-How are you checking for phosphates?

Salifert kit (exp 2016)

--Are you 100% sure your rodi water is coming out 100% 0 TDS (have you checked with another meter)?

HMI Dual TDS Meter, calibration checked every 6 months (input line and output line)

-Your skimmer sucks (sorry for being honest) * you need a real skimmer *

Yeah, I know - I often wonder if it's 99% of my problems...

-How many water changes and how big are the water changes are you doing every week or every 2 weeks?

I usually do a weekly water change but sometimes due to personal schedules (work, kids, etc) I stretch it to 9 days. I change exactly 10 gallons which is 12.5%.

-Maybe cut that cube of cyclopeeze in half and just feed that.

I'll try that this week.

-How long do you have your lights on for the day?

Hmmmm....that varies, but usually 8-9 hours/day. I run them from noon until 8PM or 9PM.

-How long are you keeping the phosban in the reactor for? How much are you putting in there and how much are you tumbling it?

I run 500mL for 3 months. It really doesn't tumble much because I don't want to grind it :shocked:

-How big is your clean up crew and what does it consist of?

OK, this is probably where I will take a few lumps. All I have is 5 bumblebee snails, 4 ceriths and a turtle conch.

-maybe these question will help ya out

How'd I do :scratchch

 

[JT101]

When was the last time you changed your media as well?

A lot of decent skinner's for unsympathetic like bubble magus or check sc ebay version with just as good reviews.

I run about a quart of carbon in one reactor and change it once a month.

In the other one I run 500mL of PhosBan and change that every 3 months.

 

[rambler67]

ok the skimmer is an issue (it sucks). that was one of the best things i did was get rid of my old sea clone skimmer. next the brs rox 0.8 carbon they say needs to be replaced every 2 weeks not once a month. next the bumble snails aren't good http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=69

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

I would up your cleanup crew. That definitely isn't going to cut it.

Rambler gave you the right link to info + purchase some more. Most people have had great experience with them.

I would possibly change your phosban media.

Check your phosphate levels.

Normally phosban can last upto several months but to determine when it needs to be changed you have to test and when it begins to rise. You change it out. From reading, most people change it out monthly - month and a half.

 

[JT101]

ok the skimmer is an issue (it sucks). that was one of the best things i did was get rid of my old sea clone skimmer.

I'm already shopping around for a new one. I have about 25" of height but I'm going to have to go with a skimmer that's no wider than mine (depth the other way is open).

next the brs rox 0.8 carbon they say needs to be replaced every 2 weeks not once a month.

The instructions say 6 tablespoons for 60 gallons, but I put in 12 - I figured I could double the change time

next the bumble snails aren't good http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=69

Sadly, I have had no luck getting any attention from that site. I filled out their "custom" CUC questionnaire - sent it - never heard from them. Then I emailed them - never heard from them. That worries me.

 

[JT101]

I would up your cleanup crew. That definitely isn't going to cut it.

Thanks, I kinda figured that. How can I calculate what I need? Reefcleaners doesn't seem to want to be bothered with me (see my other post)...

I would possibly change your phosban media. Check your phosphate levels. Normally phosban can last upto several months but to determine when it needs to be changed you have to test and when it begins to rise. You change it out. From reading, most people change it out monthly - month and a half.

I'm about to check my phosphates now, will report back later. Thanks for the info.

 

[thirty6]

Reef cleaners is a great online store, he has always replied promptly to my questions
give them another try

QUOTE=JT101;1107298]I'm already shopping around for a new one. I have about 25" of height but I'm going to have to go with a skimmer that's no wider than mine (depth the other way is open).



The instructions say 6 tablespoons for 60 gallons, but I put in 12 - I figured I could double the change time



Sadly, I have had no luck getting any attention from that site. I filled out their "custom" CUC questionnaire - sent it - never heard from them. Then I emailed them - never heard from them. That worries me.[/QUOTE]