Help! BROWN ALGAE taking me down!

[camellia]

mysterybox;872006 wrote: found it! lol

Edit:

Thanks Ralph

 

[ralph atl]

ok.....some "ground rules"....lol

There is no way anyone in can positively identify your algae from your pics, or most any....

You must know a few truths....

Hobby test kits are meant to give us a range to guide us, they are not lab grade stuff.

Some are closer to Hobby and below, and some are closer to lab....

IMHO, Elos & Salifert are Hobby grade and above......

For Nitrates, Tropic Marin, Elos, & Salifert are fine
For Phosphates this is a challenge because only 2 make low range test kits (unless you go to the color meter), that is the http://www.marinedepot.com/Elos_Professional_Aqua_Test_Kit_Phosphate_Phosphate_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Elos_USA-EO4131-FITKPT-vi.html">Elos Pro Kit</a> (they have 2) and Hach (DD Merck used to make one, but stopped...)


<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px">Use a phosphate reactor with some GFO, and something to lower nitrates like a fuge, Vodka, VSV, Solid Vodka Pellets (bio-pellets) or other carbon source. </span></span>

<span style="font-size: 13px"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman">Large weekly water changes, frequent media changes, and Vodka (carbon) dosing can take care of most algae that are caused by higher than wanted nutrients. </span></span>

[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php"><span style="color: #22229c">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</span></a>



maybe some turbo snails......[IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2971+571&pcatid=571"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...571&pcatid=571</span></a>

or these guys are the best:

[IMG]http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&pid=1131&cid=82"><span style="color: #22229c">http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...id=1131&cid=82</span></a>
__________________



I'll get back with more info!

 

[camellia]

After reading about algae and looking at pic'c for hours I think it's lyngbya algae. Not that this changes much, but it's the only correct description.
I started Vodka dosing yesterday and only left lights on for 2 hours today and it didn't grow near as fast.
I'm looking for options for my Nem before I Can do lights out?

 

[cedzaquaddiction]

I did a 3 day lights out with my RBTA in the tank, and it made it. It wasn't happy, but it stayed in place, and lived. With the ambient light in the room, it even bloomed a little during the black out...

Play at your own risk, though...

 

[ralph atl]

here are some good articles on carbon dosing:

http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/carbon-dosing-in-laymans-terms/">http://www.reefaquarium.com/2012/carbon-dosing-in-laymans-terms/</a>

[IMG]http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/">http://glassbox-design.com/2008/achieved-through-observation-and-experimentation/</a>

[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/</a>


[IMG]http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-diy-organic-carbon-sources">http://www.coralmagazine-us.com/content/probiotics-diy-organic-carbon-sources</a>


remember to start slow and slowly increase intervals after a minimum of 7-14 days.

make sure you have an excellent Alk kit, and keep your alk in the 8-9 range.

 

[containerman1]

Good luck and keep us posted how it works and how much you start with. I have been thinking of dosing with Vodka also. Thank you

 

[rdnelson]

mysterybox;872223 wrote:


remember to start slow and slowly increase intervals after a minimum of 7-14 days.

I started at age 13 and increased every 7 days. I am now 53!!! This is getting expensive and I am not sure how much longer my liver will stand it. But the good news is I could care less about the algae.



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[camellia]

rdnelson99;872375 wrote: I started at age 13 and increased every 7 days. I am now 53!!! This is getting expensive and I am not sure how much longer my liver will stand it. But the good news is I could care less about the algae.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gosh Rich, finally!!!

You make having a funky algae not so bad, but my stomach hurts now :lol2:

:thanks:

 

[camellia]

Below is an update not posted from 6/12 or 6/13:

Update on algae and Pram's

Changes:
Started Vodka dosing with .05 per 25 gallons using link as provided by Mysterybox
Cut lights to 2 hours for two days then 4 hours for two days
Stopped dosing Biofuel and Part Two (per Rich)
Raised Mp10's and lowered Korilla's (behind rock) for visible better waste removal
Feeding 1 X a day, pellets ( was feeding Reef Frenzy or frozen (strained) cube at night)


Results:
PO4 = 0 (Salifert)
NO3 = 2.5 (Salifert)
Filter sock has major increase in waste, clogged in one day (yesterday).
Skimmer - 10 X 's accumulation
Few small areas of algae can be seen (haven't cleaned off)

Perhaps as McPhock stated above, the PO4 and NO3 were bound in Algae!
Thanks again for all the advise I have learned a lot!
Full lighting today (about a week ago).


Current condition:

Still following above, removed minimal algae Friday and did water change. There was no Algae visible yesterday!
Surely some will return but hoping it continues to decrease and leave me in peace
Thanks again for all the advice.