is there a link between

[snowmansnow]

is there a link between low alk and the proliferation of cyanobacteria ?

 

[gnashty]

Tagging Along

 

[lilrobb]

No science involved: YES

Any time my alk drops I see more algae...

 

[snowmansnow]

I've done some google searching and that does seem to be the case with both algae and cyano.....

Lately I've had cyano again, and bubble alage popping up... Alk is just a lil low, but still within range at around 8dkh. It does drop within 24hrs though.

I think I can combat the drop with the addition of a more concentrated kalk solution in my reactor.

B

 

[gnashty]

hhhmmm, Ive always struggled with low alk despite my dosing 105ml per day...I do accumulate brown algae on glass rather quickly but IM a heavy feeder and Ive been having trouble keeping my skimmer dialed in so i cahlked it up to underskimming. It will go several weeks without producing any skimmate

EDIT: Do they make an avast type neck cleaner for MRC products? I think this is where my skimmer problem lies

 

[lilrobb]

gnashty;634151 wrote:
EDIT: Do they make an avast type neck cleaner for MRC products? I think this is where my skimmer problem lies

Avast makes you anything you want...

 

[mockery]

I don't know why it would be related to low alk.

How and what are you guys supplementing for alk?

It could be due to an non-pure buffer adding something to the water like phosphates. But again this would only make more sense if it was high alk.

 

[crewdawg1981]

Question about the Avast skimmer neck cleaner...

Does it not hurt your skimmer by having the squeegee down into the neck?

 

[gnashty]

Mockery;634154 wrote: I don't know why it would be related to low alk.

How and what are you guys supplementing for alk?

It could be due to an non-pure buffer adding something to the water like phosphates. But again this would only make more sense if it was high alk.

I use the BRS Alk (Soda Ash) but can only dose so much at a time or the PH shoots up above 8.5. At 105 ml per day (4.37 ml every hour) my PH stays around 8.4. Ive never tested my alk above 4 meq/l - always in the 3-3.5 range......a couple times was 4 but I was dosing heavier

 

[lilrobb]

Crewdawg1981;634156 wrote: Question about the Avast skimmer neck cleaner...

Does it not hurt your skimmer by having the squeegee down into the neck?

jmaneyapanda;626174 wrote: In my experience with this type of cleaner, the cleaning blade/brushes will impede foam head production to a certain degree. Its kinda a catch 22. If the cleaning mechanism isnt into the neck enough to clean, it doesnt really serve its function. Whereas if it is deep in the neck, it impede foam production. And also need cleaning.

Stealing this one from another thread

 

[crewdawg1981]

gnashty;634171 wrote: I use the BRS Alk (Soda Ash) but can only dose so much at a time or the PH shoots up above 8.5. At 105 ml per day (4.37 ml every hour) my PH stays around 8.4. Ive never tested my alk above 4 meq/l - always in the 3-3.5 range......a couple times was 4 but I was dosing heavier

Have always found the same with the same.

I use the seachem tests that make it nearly impossible to tell the color changes though...

 

[snowmansnow]

I use BRS alk stuff.. I suppose this could be the problem...? doubt it though

my RODI is 0TDS on the out too

B

 

[oil_fan]

I'm going to tag along on this too. I also dose BRS soda ash for alk just like Gary. I keep getting cyno on some rocks that don't get too much water movement. hmmm...maybe if add power head aimed at that set.

Anyways, my alk is typically between 3.0 and 3.5 meq/l.

 

[gnashty]

Well, I just did a pre water change test which I rarely do...:blush: and my alk is much higher than a post WC test. Ill need to start dosing my WC water as my tests after WC are much lower than these on a regular basis...

Alk - 5 meq/l
NA - 1.5 ppm
CA - 440
Mag - 1350
SG - 1.023
Temp - 81.2
PH - 8.26