Hi all,
Ok my tank has been up and running for around 6 months, im posting this as a "Last resort" to be honest. If the suggestions here don't help resolve the issue im considering closing down my tank.
For the past month I seem to be getting brown algae on the glass and sandbed, hair algae and red algae (not slime just red patches on the rocks).
Now so far I have tried the following in order:
1) Phosphates were high so purchased a PhosBan reactor and Phosphates are now as close to 0 as possible
2) Reduced lighting times from 12 hours a day to 10
3) Reduced feeding
4) Increased flow with an extra power head
5) Done a 50% water change
6) Increased CUC
7) Started cleaning the external filter media weekly
8) Completely took apart skimmer and cleaned it
I have read on some forums that most tanks go through this about 6 months in but it does get better its just the aquarium maturing, is this true?
The only other thing I can think of is I havent replaced the lights, they are about 6 months old, will changing the tubes really make any difference?
I dont want to keep just keep chucking money at things in the hope it will make things better, I also dont want to start my sump project or purchase anymore corals for the tank until I can get this under control.
Anyone got any suggestions, advice or other things for me to try.
Jay
Ok my tank has been up and running for around 6 months, im posting this as a "Last resort" to be honest. If the suggestions here don't help resolve the issue im considering closing down my tank.
For the past month I seem to be getting brown algae on the glass and sandbed, hair algae and red algae (not slime just red patches on the rocks).
Now so far I have tried the following in order:
1) Phosphates were high so purchased a PhosBan reactor and Phosphates are now as close to 0 as possible
2) Reduced lighting times from 12 hours a day to 10
3) Reduced feeding
4) Increased flow with an extra power head
5) Done a 50% water change
6) Increased CUC
7) Started cleaning the external filter media weekly
8) Completely took apart skimmer and cleaned it
I have read on some forums that most tanks go through this about 6 months in but it does get better its just the aquarium maturing, is this true?
The only other thing I can think of is I havent replaced the lights, they are about 6 months old, will changing the tubes really make any difference?
I dont want to keep just keep chucking money at things in the hope it will make things better, I also dont want to start my sump project or purchase anymore corals for the tank until I can get this under control.
Anyone got any suggestions, advice or other things for me to try.
Jay