rust colpred algie takeing over

[Ronny#66]

Rust colored algie on power heads piping glass not much on live rock. Some on cabbage leather. temp 82 runs 78 with lights out calcium 400 carbonate 7 ph 8.4 amonia 0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 phosphate 0 salinity 1.025. Tank is 25 gallon I do 5gal water change weekly . What is problem. trumpet coral is dying a little at time have 130 watt compact on ten hours feed zoplanction two times a week.

[Jeremy Blaze]

How long has the tank been set up?

SOunds like diatoms.

[kkyyllee]

yeah, sounds like diatoms

[Curlsoc]

Hvae you tested for silicates? A high test would explain the diatom bloom if I've learned correctly, new at this also! I hit diatoms about the one month mark also.

[Ronny#66]

Tank has been up 6 months now was previous set up that was purchased for me as in trouble gift. Have not tested for silicates . What are they I don't even have test for it.

[Percula9]

Don't use tap water, this is a big source of silicates. Use R/O water.

[Ronny#66]

I use only ro water from LFS.

[Lotus99]

I had a similar problem in my tank recently. I don't really know the exact cause or the exact cure, but here's what I did:

1. Changed bulbs (they were of indeterminate age)
2. Added carbon to filter
3. Added Polyfilter to filter

Within a week, the diatom bloom is gone. I'm not sure what caused it, or what caused it to go away, but it's gone. I think the main culprit were my old actinic bulbs.

[ChrisKil]

Originally posted by Lotus99 Within a week, the diatom bloom is gone. I'm not sure what caused it, or what caused it to go away, but it's gone. I think the main culprit were my old actinic bulbs.

Diatoms can out compete other algae in low light environments. If they are beating out the algae that could be a reason for the diatom bloom.

[ikaros]

i would kick up the alk to like 10 or even 11dkh, it will slow down the algae bloom and lots of water changes, unless your tank is new then it will go away in time.

[jjmcat]

Originally posted by Ronny#66
I use only ro water from LFS.

Have you tested your LFS water?We had a lfs that had there water tested by a fellow reefer.There TDS was 80.

[Ronny#66]

I haven't had water tested for silicate . Just got my own 50 gal per day R/O DI filter going today . I'm guite impressed with no pump good water about = waste water with no pump.

[rodwest]

what's RO water

[ChrisKil]

Reverse Osmosis.

Most aquarist recommend RO or RO/DI (reverse osmosis/deionization) water. It is better for your tank. Tap water can put stuff in your tank that you don't want, promote algae blooms, etc.