display tank algea problem

Bous · #1 12/16/2007, 01:05 PM

I have a 125 gallon display mixed reef tank that has a algea problem. I run a 65 gallon refugium, canister filter w/ carbon running at about 300 gph, and a coral life 220 super skimmer. The tank was up and runnig for 2 years and then I had it move to my new house in July. It has been up and runnig very successfull ever since. About a 1 1/2 month I started getting a cyano bact. problem which I have been treating w/ cem. clear great success. But I also started getting hair algea in my display tank. My PC bulbs were getting towards a year old so i change them. I have not had a single patch of unwanted algea in my display. I was having problem for the last month with cal and alk levels but I started using Randy's two part recipe and they are up and were I want them. When I do water changes I clean as much as I can but it keeps coming back. Any suggestions would be helpfull. I use RODI water and changed the filters about 1 month ago and had it check at my LFS and it was OK.

Parameters are: cal 460ppm
alk 11 DKH
Phos 0ppm
Nitrate 0-5 ppm
PH 8.2-8.5
Salinaty 1.026

graveyardworm · #2 12/17/2007, 05:29 AM

The cyano was telling you something, excess nutrients. By killing the cyano with chemicals rather than siphoning it out and getting the nutrient issue under control you opened the door for another algae to come in. What do you currently have for herbivores?

You may want to reconsider the Calcium part of Rndy's two part if your using Dow Flake. http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...ight=dow+flake

Bous · #3 12/17/2007, 01:17 PM

I currently have a Foxface and a Powder Brown Surgeon fish, niether of which seem all that intrested in the hair algea. As for as the nutrient issue the other only other additives that go into my tank is Coral-Vite and Essental Elements and Kalk. I have cut back on the amount of food that I feed fish and corals. so I am not sure were the nutrients could come from and why the refugim is not absorbing it.
Thanks for the heads up about the calcium part of Randy's recipe. I order from Two Part Solotions and it sound like they have a solution but I want to look into it.