FatChevy Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 So I've had my tank running for a little less then a month and about a week maybe a little more i've started to grow brown algae. I've read everywhere that give it time and it will go away on its own but it seems to be getting worse. my snails and hermit crabs can't keep up. I know when its night time it seems to go down but I cant leave the days light off till the algae dies off. is there a solution to this mess aside from starting over? I have a RO/DI filter (OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI) from The Filter Guys in the mail and a nitrate reducer that I've heard mixed reviews from but they won't be here till friday. I would like to get it under wraps because my family is coming all the way from the east coast to visit and I dont want them to look at all my hard work in disappointment! oh my ph is at .0 and my ammonia is at .0 but my nitrates are at .20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 It's a new tank and thats normal. It should clear up on it's own. I don't think your pH is at "0".... Your nitrates should go down also. Your tank is still cycling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Crap lol meant 8.4 man's its been a long day. So how long before I have to worry? There's no quick solution? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyInside Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Once you get your ro/di it will help a lot. Also a two little fishies phosbane reactor with some phosbane will help a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tat2d Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Welcome to the diatom stage of cycling a tank. My 90 FOWLR is looking very similar right now. I have yet to see a tank that doesn't look like this for at least a couple of weeks at some point after setting it up. It will get better. Do a search for diatoms on this site or google. HTH, B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Once you get your ro/di it will help a lot. Also a two little fishies phosbane reactor with some phosbane will help a lot What exactly does this do? And thank you everyone for the quick replies! I'm loving, this forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Your tank is only 5 weeks old. Hang in there. It will clear up. Nothing in this hobby goes fast or should it be rushed!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bswe22 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 The RO/DI unit will give you "pure" or zero TDS's in the water. That means there is nothing for the alge to feed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 The RO/DI unit will give you "pure" or zero TDS's in the water. That means there is nothing for the alge to feed on. Lol no I was asking about the phosbane reactor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Facilier Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 yes it is normal. Part of the cycle. I find just starving the tank of light works great. You can read this as well. http://saltwateraquariumadviceblog.com/?p=255 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Phosban reactor is a fancy term for a chamber designed to hold carbon and phosphate reducing medias (phosban is a brand name of this). It is much more efficient than using a media bag and floating it. Costs usually around $40 and require a small (300ish gph) pump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Phosban reactor is a fancy term for a chamber designed to hold carbon and phosphate reducing medias (phosban is a brand name of this). It is much more efficient than using a media bag and floating it. Costs usually around $40 and require a small (300ish gph) pump Would this be used all the time or just till the algae clears up? so I would need a second pump or I use my existing one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I personally run it all the time, you would just change the media more frequently in the beginnig til it clears up and then you can back off on frequency as long as you keep up water changes and dont over feed You could T off your exisiting pump if you have like 250 gph to spare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akambience Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Yep. Use it all the time with carbon and when you start having algae issues, the GFO will help a lot. You could use both GFO and carbon at the same time if you wanted to. I have have been running both for a few months now and seem to have good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vis Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I feel your pain. My tank is about 6 weeks old and my algae bloom appeared a few days ago. It's really nasty , even my sand has some on it. It's very hard to be patient but that's what everyone says so we'll just have to wait it out. Hang in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 So if I'm running an ro/di for an ato would I need to do water changes? Sorry I've only been doing salt water for a month now. Any advice is a big help for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Yep. Use it all the time with carbon and when you start having algae issues' date=' the GFO will help a lot. You could use both GFO and carbon at the same time if you wanted to. I have have been running both for a few months now and seem to have good results.[/quote'] So what is the point of a refugium if there's all these added extra things I need? When they say a selfcontained environment I think that's an understatement lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoobtoSalt Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 So what is the point of a refugium if there's all these added extra things I need? When they say a selfcontained environment I think that's an understatement lol A refugium will help cut down on your nitrates as well as become a host to copepods for your tank. Makes a wonderful addition to any reef tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 A refugium will help cut down on your nitrates as well as become a host to copepods for your tank. Makes a wonderful addition to any reef tank. OK but i still need a phosbane reactor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Lol no I was asking about the phosbane reactor Phosban reactor removes phosphates which is also something algae will feed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 Phosban reactor removes phosphates which is also something algae will feed on. Not to beat a dead horse but I have a refugium sump. What I'm wondering is if i need the phosbane reactor or just wait? Money's not an issue I want the best for my tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Not to beat a dead horse but I have a refugium sump. What I'm wondering is if i need the phosbane reactor or just wait? Money's not an issue I want the best for my tank It's not absolutely necessary in the beginning. I didn't start with one. I have been maintaining the Pioneer school tank. We wanted to keep it as simple as possible. It has not refugium. No phosban reactor, no filter sock, no ATO It has a nice skimmer and nice sump and everything is doing well. Sometimes I think keeping things simple makesthe hobby more enjoyable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike nickerson Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 I remember when that happened to me I was ooking it up and everything but just wait it will clear up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatChevy Posted September 27, 2011 Author Share Posted September 27, 2011 It's not absolutely necessary in the beginning. I didn't start with one. I have been maintaining the Pioneer school tank. We wanted to keep it as simple as possible. It has not refugium. No phosban reactor' date=' no filter sock, no ATO It has a nice skimmer and nice sump and everything is doing well. Sometimes I think keeping things simple makesthe hobby more enjoyable.[/quote'] Thats exactly what I want. I have a cheap skimmer that came with the tank but I plan to upgrade to the Super Reef Octopus XP 1000SSS. I want to do everything right but I dont want to have to maintain it every second of the day! I remember when that happened to me I was ooking it up and everything but just wait it will clear up I think thats what i'll do. if its there in another few weeks then i'll will start worrying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefboy Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 its part of the cycle theres no quick fix dont waste your money on reactors just give it time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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