algea

[vsnsofadrgn]

im havin an algea issue and im just wonderin if you can help me find the source. i use filtered water with a tds of 0, i feed every other to every 2 days, and what i feed gets eatin (hand feed my cbs a peice and only put in a couple tiny pieces for the firefish, its formula 1, of the frozen variety), there are 2 power heads rated at 317 each for flow. i also run purigen in a hob filter. ammonia 0, nitites 0, nitrates are 20, but i dont know where its comin from. i do 4 gallon water changes every week with instant ocean salt, which i will be increasing the frequency of to help. i havent tested for phosphate yet, but i will, and will post results when im finished. im gettin a sump within the next few weeks, and will probably put in refugium while im at it, but i just want to find the source so i can stop it. thanks in advance.

[roka64]

What type of algae? Those nitrates are probably helping the algae.
How long are you running your lights?
Does the HOB have a biowheel? If so, they can cause nitrAtes to build up.

[vsnsofadrgn]

i dont know what kind of algea it is, ive posted pics. nothin in the hob but purigen. i tested phosphates, its 0, but i guess the algea could be using it if its in there. lights are usually on about 9 hours, but ive just in last few days, reduced to 4 hours. i dont know where the nitrates are comin from ive read that scrubbing it off with a toothbrush can just help it to spead, so im not sure i should do that anymore.

[Ziggy953]

A little had to tell from the pic but that looks like hair algae to me. I had a bit of it in my tank and by adding a lawnmower blenny and a couple of emerald crabs it has come under control. Also the regular PWCs and reduced amount of feeding has helped. I don't use a HOB filter I have 2 sumps and a fuge on my system. I took down the sump with the skimmer in it and cleaned it out completely including the skimmer pump and body. That seems to have helped out the most because there was a bit of detritis buildup in it as it used to be a wet/dry filter and they way my setup is it isn't easy to get to. I think with the addition of the sump/fuge to your tank you will see the algae and nitrates get under control. My thoughts....

[vsnsofadrgn]

i hope so too. i just did a pwc and removed some of the rocks and scrubbed them in the old sw. got rod of most of it; im making more water too, to do another pwc in a few days. ive got an emeral crab in there too, as soon as i put him in there he started munchin away, just think its too much for the lil guy.

[Ziggy953]

I thought the same thing, but all those guys do is eat it seems. I put in the lawnmower blenny and he went to town also. I noticed that my coral beauty would eat it too so who knows...good luck!!