Algae Problem

[Ace23*15*]

so i'm dealin with this algae problem...the red slime algae...which just sticks to the sand...i'm tryin to get red of the problem quick and effiicient what can i do?

 

[deelucky]

how old is your tank?are you using tapwater?if your tank is still new then you could be going through an algae cycle.if your using tap water that can be the cause.a little more info would help other members to find the source.

 

[herman]

Getting rid of it temporarily is easy, but it will just come back. You need to find the cause and fix that. Please list your tank specs as well as age along with water preparations. The more info you can give the better. As for listing water parameters, I have found that many people will say that everything is perfect. That does not help in finding a solution. if you dont test just say so or if you dont know ditto. if anyone flames you for it, I will take care of them :sgrin:

 

[Ace23*15*]

all the water parameters are good....stable...i'm running a 24g A.P...as for water preparations i buy poland spring water to do water changes about 3 gallons weekly.....the tank is about 3 months old..

 

[deelucky]

poland springs can be the problem.i had used it before to do water changes and once i got the cyano i called poland springs and they told me that after purifing there water they add certain things for taste.was you using tap water before poland springs?what are you testing for and what kits?

 

[herman]

Funny thing on NBC not too long ago. Many of the bottled water brands are simply purified tap water with additives. Poland Springs was listed as one of them.

When they say purified, they mean for human consumption. Its still loaded with things undesireable for the reeftank.

Get a RODI unit. They are definitely cheaper than pouring Poland Springs into your tank all the time.

 

[deelucky]

:sigh:

Funny thing on NBC not too long ago. Many of the bottled water brands are simply purified tap water with additives. Poland Springs was listed as one of them.

When they say purified, they mean for human consumption. Its still loaded with things undesireable for the reeftank.

Get a RODI unit. They are definitely cheaper than pouring Poland Springs into your tank all the time.

yup i watched that segment also but it was a bit to late,cause i already had the problem.:sigh:

 

[Ace23*15*]

yes at one point i did use tap water...in the very beginning of the tank for about a 2 weeks then I switched when i figured it out it was not a very good idea.....any alteratives until the unit???...i guess i'm stuck in a corner until i get that ro/di unit....i was assuming at first it was a phospate problem..i i'm haven't bought a test kit for phospates yet so any reccomendation for brand that highly reliable would be appreciated..for my water paramaters i'm using http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15473&N=2004+113074.
not the best but it gets me through so any suggestion for an overall test kit would be useful as well

 

[herman]

For the most part AP test kits are garbage. All it does is point in the right direction. For the next round go with Salifert. Our vendors will be able to make you a good price. Dont bother with the phosphates kit even from Salifert. garbage also. Take a water sample to someone with a Hanna photo/Colorimeter. There are a few people on the board with them. Those are accurate as can be

 

[Ace23*15*]

phospates...algae cycle...water...??

 

[nyumpa]

use ro/di, or the water tap filter(ok) used for about a year
to be honest my tank went to the next level after i start using
ro/di

also distilled

 

[herman]

phospates...algae cycle...water...??

Your rocks are green and you have cyno. Yes you have nutrient problems. They will not go away until you fix the water issue. They will just get worse.

Water? You can use distilled until you get an RODI.

How to alleviate? Siphon off all the cyano. At least your tank will look better. Cuno also does not like higher flow. The problem with the cyano is that they can feed off your nutrients and they are also photosynthetic. If you dont have anything in the tank that requires light just shut it off.

Besides your tank is new. They will all go through the algae bloom etc.

 

[Ace23*15*]

do you have any suggestions to a high quality ro/di unit

 

[herman]

Post a WTB on this site. You will have a dozen suggestions as well as used units.