Algae Bloom.

[joseywhales]

I have a 58 gal tank that I was about half full of rock. Went to my lfs and purchased about twenty pounds of rock. I went home and put it in my tank and in about a day I had a major brown hair like algae out break. I did a 20 gal water change as I figured I had to lower the phosphates. Any suggestions?



Parameters

Nitrate 0
Calcium 360
dkh 4.9
PH 8.4

 

[Ter]

Hi joseywhales,

First off what kind of rock is that? live? cured? uncured? baserock?
How long has your tank been setup? thats a low dkh for a PH of 8.3 ... check ur PH after ur lights are off for about an hour...
I guess your setting up for a reef... take ur time.. maybe a month.. get your water correct... and stable.
Calcium could be nice between 400-450... what type of salt are you using?
also are you using RO water? hold off the water changes for awhile.
wow that came out random... limme fix that

1; type of rock?
2; setup since?
3; check PH once lights are off
4; is this a reef?
5; type of salt?
6; what water are you using?
7; check water with other tests
8; stop water changes
9: whats your lighting setup?

more or less thats about it... we need more details... and brown algae is normal for a new setup.
Ter

 

[SkiFletch]

I have a 58 gal tank that I was about half full of rock. Went to my lfs and purchased about twenty pounds of rock. I went home and put it in my tank and in about a day I had a major brown hair like algae out break. I did a 20 gal water change as I figured I had to lower the phosphates. Any suggestions?



Parameters

Nitrate 0
Calcium 360
dkh 4.9
PH 8.4

Rowaphos

 

[Lynden]

I have a 58 gal tank that I was about half full of rock. Went to my lfs and purchased about twenty pounds of rock. I went home and put it in my tank and in about a day I had a major brown hair like algae out break. I did a 20 gal water change as I figured I had to lower the phosphates. Any suggestions?



Parameters

Nitrate 0
Calcium 360
dkh 4.9
PH 8.4

Rowaphos

Lowering the phosphate after algae, diatoms or Cyanobacteria is established won't do anything, believe me; I've tried it.

The best way, in my opinion, is to obtain one or more animals that will eat it. Lawnmower Blenny and Yellow Eyed Tang come to mind.

-Lynden

 

[tmreynolds]

I have a 58 gal tank that I was about half full of rock. Went to my lfs and purchased about twenty pounds of rock. I went home and put it in my tank and in about a day I had a major brown hair like algae out break. I did a 20 gal water change as I figured I had to lower the phosphates. Any suggestions?



Parameters

Nitrate 0
Calcium 360
dkh 4.9
PH 8.4

Rowaphos

We should be on commission

Rowaphos is the daddy

 

[joseywhales]

The rock is cured fiji. The tank is about a year and two months old. I use RO/DI water. I have made 4 RO water changes since getting the RO unit hooked up. I have a Instant Ocean dkh and calcium test kits. Haven't had a chance to test in a couple days. By the way, where do you put the rowaphos or like media?

 

[Ter]

you might want 2 invest in a few more tests...
as for the Rowaphos do you have a hob filter? or sump?
Ter
more details about your setup would be a great help

 

[SkiFletch]

Do you know the TDS (total dissolved solids) of your RO?

 

[joseywhales]

Do you know the TDS (total dissolved solids) of your RO?

No I don't. Should I?

 

[Ter]

yes
Ter

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, its quite possile that your RO membrane is clogged and needs flushing. If your TDS is above say 5ppm, its time for a flushing

 

[joseywhales]

Yeah, its quite possile that your RO membrane is clogged and needs flushing. If your TDS is above say 5ppm, its time for a flushing

The memebrane flushes on its on. I have a TDS meter on the way. I have a sump. So i guess the rowaphos or like filter media goes in a bag where the siphon goes into the sump.

 

[SkiFletch]

You can put rowaphos anywhere that has water flowing through/over/near it. I put mine in a womens' nylon in an HOB

 

[joseywhales]

You can put rowaphos anywhere that has water flowing through/over/near it. I put mine in a womens' nylon in an HOB

The TDS of my RO is 2-3. Most of the algae now is green on the glass. I am going to do a 15 gal water change and let things mix up before I do another wave of test.

 

[SkiFletch]

Well, your RO membrane is functioning properly then. Probably getting your phosphates into the system from the foods you feed.