Re: Algae problems

[Ken Ziggy]

I agree with Andrew but don't give up on keeping a reef tank if that is what you are trying to do.Just like andrew said get a good book and research on the internet for the current filtration technique's.The hobby has come a long way from undergravel filters and canister filters.It actually is alot simpler these days.All I use is a good protein skimmer and let my good quality live rock do alot of the filtration for me even though the live rock still has a bioload itself.I do a 10% water change a week with a good salt mix like instant ocean reef crystals.Alot of destritus sits under the undergravel filter after awhile which could cause an outbreak of slime and microalgae.Anything that catches dirt and particles of matter like your canister filter can cause the same if not cleaned often.Did you remove the anemone after it died or did it decompose in the tank?Your lighting seems to be very inadequate for a reeftank?I would only use a uv filter if I would see some desease in the tank but that is just my opinion.I use a refugium tank outside the main tank which has macroalgae and and a kit of natural foods that grow and feeds the tank with natural food sources.I just hooked this up this weekend and this seems to be the next step in natural filtration.You should of never scrubbed the rocks off if they where good live rock but if they were just ornametal rock that was a good idea.When I first set my tank up you go through the algae outbreaks.It gets frustrating but don't give up.You learn things everyday that will help you get closer to your goal.What I would do is remove the undergravel filters,some people just plug them up but the destritus is still stuck under there,Buy a couple of piece's of good quality live rock .Remove some of your substrate and get some good quality live sand to re seed your sand bed.I would also buy a good detrivore kit.Scarlit hermit crabs ,bluelegged hermit crabs,carribean cucumbers,don't confuse these with a sea cucumber,sandsifting starfish,turbo snails,mexican turbo's.variety of snails is good.I found that the mexican turbo snail love the slime and micro algae.Jawfish and sleeper gobies stur up the substrate pretty good.To keep the slime algae down and start a good growth of hard coraline algae you should keep your calcium levels around 450.You can also try coral vital from marc wiess.I've had good success with this and combisan from twolittlefishes.Also you should use kalkwasser water for replacement or evaporation water.Sorry for such a long email.is your rock live?Macro algae calerpa growth is good but can get annoying buy its rapid growth.I'm sure I'll talk to you soon.Some other people might have some different views.I hope some of this helps?A good site for detrivore kits are www.ipsf.com  and  www.inlandaquatics.com  or there are plenty of sites you can choose from or your local fish store??? ----- Original Message ----- From: Andrew Dillard To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 4:18 PM Subject: Re: Algae problems Have you purchased the Conscientist Marine Aquarist by Robert Fenner?  If not, please do.  Do you have live rock? Live sand?  Your filtration is sorely inadequate, UGFs are a thing of the past as are canister filters,for reefs anyway.  What kind of protein skimmer?  With your lighting you should have been feeding that anemone alot.  When an anemone dies, many things can go wrong.  There are many causes for the algaes you speak of, you have pretty much all the causes in one tank.  Please purchase some good books, you have to many problems to name here.   Andrew ----- Original Message ----- From: Les Chainey To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 4:12 PM Subject: Algae problems I have a 48 inch x 18 inch x 12 inch marine tank containing 1 Tang, 2 Domino Damsels and 1 yellow tail. Filtration is by 2 undergravel filters aided by powerheads, a Fluval 204 containing carbon and clearwater, a UV and protein skimmer. Lighting is by 1 38w blue moon tube lit permanently and 3 40w powerglo's lit for 12 hours a day. The tank was set up 8 months ago and all was fine until I introduced a Anemone. 2 weeks later it died closely followed by the macro algae Caulerpa. Since then I have severe slime algae problems. Black, red and brown slime algae covered everything, green algae grew on the glass and bubbles are stuck on the rocks. I have tried 20% weekly water changes with RO water but the algae comes back. 4 days ago, in desperation, I scrubbed the rocks, cleaned the gravel and all equipment and changed 90% of the water. 2 days later spots of black slime algae appear so I siphoned them off. Today more spots of algae appeared on the gravel, the bubbles appear on the rocks and the rocks are becoming covered in brown stuff. Temp is 80 deg F, Nitrate 5 mg/l, S.G 1.021, Ammonia 0 mg/l and Phosphate 1.0 mg/l. Is there any hope of a cure or do I turn to tropical fishkeeeping ?