Well, I've read everything there is to read on various types of algae, and I just can't seem to get it under control 100%. My question is, is it always an issue, but just to what degree?
I have a great skimmer, sump with chaeto growing mad, freshly replaced bulbs in PC lighting, nitrates always test 0 and phosphates always test 0. I use RO/DI water only wich also tests 0 for the above.
I do 20% PWC every two weeks--not because my parameters are out of wack, but because I have to vaccuum the substate to remove the algae growing on it.....I can't stand the way it makes my tank look!
I use Kent Sea Salt.
I occasionally dose Kalk when needed, but even that is pretty rare because of my PWC's.
I only feed three times per week and very, very sparingly. I feed various frozen foods well rinsed in RO/DI water.
I have a "medium" bioload....only 3 fish!
I run GAC and change it out 2X per month. I have a good UV sterilizer.
I also have a very fine CC substrate, almost as fine as sand. I have to vaccuum it every week or two due to algae.
Yes, I have a bioball....but just one!
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.....I have a 55 gal. main with 800 gph water movement in it.
I also have to clean the glass with a mag float every week to keep the glass looking clean. (I only have to scrape corralline every month or so)
All other tank parameters are perfect.
In desperation, I've used chemi-clean twice in the last month (killing a couple feather dusters the first time because I didn't aerate). I have also just started using a phosphate remover in a media bag.
So....is this just part of reef keeping? Should I just suck it up, or will my algae issues ever improve?
If it sounds like I'm whining, it's because I am! I've done everything except change out my CC for sand, but my CC is so fine it's almost the same stuff. I mean, I don't mind vaccuuming substrate, say, once per month or cleaning the glass once a month--but I'm having to do it weekly!
The only other thing I can think of is to remove my one bioball.
PLEASE HELP ME!
Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated......
I have a great skimmer, sump with chaeto growing mad, freshly replaced bulbs in PC lighting, nitrates always test 0 and phosphates always test 0. I use RO/DI water only wich also tests 0 for the above.
I do 20% PWC every two weeks--not because my parameters are out of wack, but because I have to vaccuum the substate to remove the algae growing on it.....I can't stand the way it makes my tank look!
I use Kent Sea Salt.
I occasionally dose Kalk when needed, but even that is pretty rare because of my PWC's.
I only feed three times per week and very, very sparingly. I feed various frozen foods well rinsed in RO/DI water.
I have a "medium" bioload....only 3 fish!
I run GAC and change it out 2X per month. I have a good UV sterilizer.
I also have a very fine CC substrate, almost as fine as sand. I have to vaccuum it every week or two due to algae.
Yes, I have a bioball....but just one!
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot.....I have a 55 gal. main with 800 gph water movement in it.
I also have to clean the glass with a mag float every week to keep the glass looking clean. (I only have to scrape corralline every month or so)
All other tank parameters are perfect.
In desperation, I've used chemi-clean twice in the last month (killing a couple feather dusters the first time because I didn't aerate). I have also just started using a phosphate remover in a media bag.
So....is this just part of reef keeping? Should I just suck it up, or will my algae issues ever improve?
If it sounds like I'm whining, it's because I am! I've done everything except change out my CC for sand, but my CC is so fine it's almost the same stuff. I mean, I don't mind vaccuuming substrate, say, once per month or cleaning the glass once a month--but I'm having to do it weekly!
The only other thing I can think of is to remove my one bioball.
PLEASE HELP ME!
Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated......