question about aiptasia

[bronco862]

i either have that...or some form of turf/hair algae.


my tank is cycled or ALMOST cycled.

i purchased live rock from a 2 year old tank.


i have been using tongs to move all my crabs and snails to the rocks as the algae shows up.

i run the lights anywhere between 1 and 6 hours. usually 1.


the question i have, is why are my rocks turning white in some areas. in other areas the purple or green is paling. there is almost....a residue from where the hair algae was.

are my rocks dying? is this normal when you put established rock in a cycling tank???

 

[bronco862]

nitrate is steady around 20ppm

0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nor did i ever show a spike in nitrite. there was a tiny spike of ammonia that disappeared after...maybe a week. hence the reason why i'm reluctant to do a water change in case the cycle isn't over.


pH steady in between 8 and 8.2 (i prefered steady, to using a raiser.)

umm....correct param's for calcium and phos too.

it's most noticeable where my snails were placed. did they just eat the GOOD algae and the bad algae altogether, maybe?? so now it's white?

 

[bronco862]

actually lower than 20 ppm. nvm.

 

[brianjfinn]

How long has the tank been running, and what's the setup? I battled Hair Algae the first four or five years I was in the hobby, and then it just disappeared. It may be something you just have to let it run its cycle, but you can minimize it by reducing nutrients.

 

[bronco862]

k.

i've been depriving it of light, i dont know what else to do.

and i meant hair algae, i dont know why i said aiptasia lol. it's either that or some kind of turf algae.

 

[bronco862]

i just can't figure out why my rocks have gone pale.

 

[brianjfinn]

If you mean the coraline algae is turning white, that means it's dying or being eaten. I don't see any reason to deprive the system of light since the nutrients are the main problem. How long has the system been running, and what's the setup?

 

[bronco862]

okay thanks.

i'm running a 45 gallon tall. about to get a 4x t5ho fixture on monday with lunars.

canister filter, which i'm going to get rid of for a sump once i find a different stand. canister filter was overdone anyways, it's for a 100+ gallon setup apparently.


how do i deprive it of nutrients, then???

thanks everyone.


- Taylor

 

[brianjfinn]

Water changes and filtration media are best for removing nutrients, water changes being the most effective. Once you add your sump, that should make a pretty big difference, also.

 

[bronco862]

thathelped ALOT.

what filter media should i use in my canister?? activated carbon???

 

[bronco862]

i don't see why it wouldn't. that's what a lot of people suggested i use in my new nano i got last night. that and filter floss in chamber 1, and purigen in chamber 2.

 

[brianjfinn]

Sounds like you're headed in the right direction now. Just give it a few weeks and remember that the battle with algae can be a long one.

 

[bronco862]

seems to be that way to me too! thanks for all of the help you guys!!!!!