Any guesses on the Algae?

[typemismatch]

Ok here is an update, headed into 7th week fighting this and I'm reaching maintenance burnout. First I thought it was cyano but after trying to treat with Chemi-Clean things just got worse and so with a different light setting, it looked more like Dino. So I'm now on 12 days of DinoX and I'm not sure anything has changed.

Each day I clean it top to bottom inside, clean all the sand, glass, blow off the rocks, catch as much with filter media while its floating around. The syphoned water goes through filter material to clean it and back so I'm not changing much water each day.

Anyone have thoughts on Algae type? The before/after pics below are interesting because about 3-4 hours after cleaning, it looks like the first picture again! Maybe I'm treating the wrong thing.

If anyone is in the Woodstock area and feel like taking a look, even if it's so we can both throw rocks at it that would be great :confused2:

Before (and again 3-4 hours later)

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class="gc-images" title="IMG_1108.png[/IMG] style="max-width:400px" /></a>

After Cleaning

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class="gc-images" title="IMG_1109.png[/IMG] style="max-width:400px" /></a>

Here is my original thread with all the tank specs

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

What are your tank parameters and how are you testing? Looks like plain old brown algae to me which is generally a sign of phosphates.

 

[typemismatch]

Tank params look good, tested all the usual including PO4 and can't detect anything. Temp 79, pH 8.35, Alk 10, Salinity 1.026. Tank itself is 75G, RS200 sump + fuge, canister, kalk reactor. Dual Vortec pumps and Dual Radeon lights.

 

[lsu_fishfan]

porpoiseaquatics;1074115 wrote: What are your tank parameters and how are you testing? Looks like plain old brown algae to me which is generally a sign of phosphates.

+1
Could also be there is not enough flow.

 

[typemismatch]

I use the API Reef master test kits. As for flow - I don't know how that is really measured. Its 48" wide, a Vortech MP40 on one side and a MP10 on the other, they range from 5%-65% power, the wavy algae on the sand moves around aggressively but I can increase their speeds. I did try it before, I had them high enough to move the sand, anything less made no difference, moving sand is too high.

 

[lsu_fishfan]

typemismatch;1074126 wrote: I use the API Reef master test kits. As for flow - I don't know how that is really measured. Its 48" wide, a Vortech MP40 on one side and a MP10 on the other, they range from 5%-65% power, the wavy algae on the sand moves around aggressively but I can increase their speeds. I did try it before, I had them high enough to move the sand, anything less made no difference, moving sand is too high.

Hmm, having the sand floating around isn't going to help the tanks inhabitants

Can you get a closer pic of the stuff on the sand

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

One of the MP's I can see in the photo is on the back and not at the end. Place both on the end panels...one slightly higher than the other but pointing somewhat to the center. Frankly API test kits are not known to be the most accurate. I would highly recommend taking a water sample to an LFS for testing. I personally use an API but only as a "check". If it shows something out of whack then I'm off to the LFS for verification.

You mention using a canister. Those can become Nitrate breading grounds which could also be the cause of brown algae.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

porpoiseaquatics;1074129 wrote: One of the MP's I can see in the photo is on the back and not at the end. Place both on the end panels...one slightly higher than the other but pointing somewhat to the center. Frankly API test kits are not known to be the most accurate. I would highly recommend taking a water sample to an LFS for testing. I personally use an API but only as a "check". If it shows something out of whack then I'm off to the LFS for verification.

You mention using a canister. Those can become Nitrate breading grounds which could also be the cause of brown algae.

Jeff, do you know which LFS are using test kits that are not API. I've been in a few of the Atlanta stores and I was told that they use API.

Wannabee

 

[lsu_fishfan]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1074138 wrote: Jeff, do you know which LFS are using test kits that are not API. I've been in a few of the Atlanta stores and I was told that they use API.

Wannabee

Pure reef doesn't use api

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1074138 wrote: Jeff, do you know which LFS are using test kits that are not API. I've been in a few of the Atlanta stores and I was told that they use API.

Wannabee

Not for sure on all but Pure Reef didn't the last time I saw them do a test.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

I haven't been to Pure Reef since just after the Group Buy on Red Sea Pro Salt we had some time ago. I just don't get to that side of town when I get a chance to travel the 95+ miles one way to Atlanta. That is good news that Pure Reef uses test kits that are not API. Thanks for the info.

Wannabee

 

[typemismatch]

porpoiseaquatics;1074129 wrote: One of the MP's I can see in the photo is on the back and not at the end. Place both on the end panels...one slightly higher than the other but pointing somewhat to the center. Frankly API test kits are not known to be the most accurate. I would highly recommend taking a water sample to an LFS for testing. I personally use an API but only as a "check". If it shows something out of whack then I'm off to the LFS for verification.

You mention using a canister. Those can become Nitrate breading grounds which could also be the cause of brown algae.

Thanks - yeah I moved the pump to force more water down the front onto the sand, never helped, will move it back.

The canister is a Fluval filled with those bio-media tubes. Is that a problem? Nothing else in it.

 

[typemismatch]

LSU_fishFan;1074141 wrote: Pure reef doesn't use api

Is that the LFS in Alpharetta? That's an easy drive. What brand of kits should I be looking for?

 

[typemismatch]

Here is a link to a video showing the flow.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

typemismatch;1074148 wrote: Is that the LFS in Alpharetta? That's an easy drive. What brand of kits should I be looking for?

Which brand of kits depends on what tests you want to run? You will get a variety of answers on which brands to use is what I've found reading posts here at ARC. I could post some recent links related to water testing if you like. Just let me know.

Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Here's some links in regards to water test kits:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103629&highlight=water+test+kits">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=103629&highlight=water+test+kits</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102370&highlight=water+test+kits">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102370&highlight=water+test+kits</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=99907&highlight=water+test+kits">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=99907&highlight=water+test+kits</a>

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98863&highlight=water+test+kits">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98863&highlight=water+test+kits</a>

An older post but a good post in my opinion:
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28469">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28469</a>


Wannabee

 

[typemismatch]

Thanks, interesting info.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

typemismatch;1074148 wrote: Is that the LFS in Alpharetta? That's an easy drive. What brand of kits should I be looking for?

Pure Reef is in Alpharetta. Here's the link for Pure Reef's Info. on their sponsor page: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41363">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41363</a>

Link to the ARC Sponsor's Page:
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7</a>

Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1074159 wrote: Pure Reef is in Alpharetta. Here's the link for Pure Reef's Info. on their sponsor page: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41363">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41363</a>

Link to the ARC Sponsor's Page:
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7</a>

Wannabee[/QUOTE]
You have to be an ARC member to get the discounts listed on the sponsor's page.

Wannabee

 

[lsu_fishfan]

typemismatch;1074148 wrote: Is that the LFS in Alpharetta? That's an easy drive. What brand of kits should I be looking for?

Yes, they use salifert and/or sera can't remember

I recommend Red Sea test kits, but like Hanna checkers for phosphorus.