Algae... admit I have a problem

OP
OP
BriansBrain

BriansBrain

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
362
Reaction score
365
Location
Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My algae issue has began to show the beginning of progress. Now, what the heck is going on here!? Do I really have dinos starting on top of this algae? I haven’t seen that before. I have a Pentair UV sterilizer coming this week to get plumbed in over the weekend.

Nutrients haven’t changed since my original post still hovering around double zero. I had assumed it was double zero from the algae consuming all of the nutrients in the water column, but dang.
CD8BE4AA-87F1-40C3-B510-5E04CA2F58D2.jpeg
89B02210-21CC-475D-938D-159A4AD8FB07.jpeg
 
OP
OP
BriansBrain

BriansBrain

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
362
Reaction score
365
Location
Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Any updates?
The Dino looking stuff from my last update went away almost overnight when I installed a UV sterilizer. I started dosing Vibrant November 16. Hair algae and long fiber looking algae are mostly gone. Left with stubborn turf algae. But is definitely receding.

I stopped GFO last week because I’m still testing 0.01 phosphate still, along with 0 nitrate. My corals are responding better without GFO ripping out all remaining nutrients. But, if I see an increase of algae I’ll put it back online.

Here are is a picture from (11/3) and as of Monday (11/30). I dose vibrant every Monday and take a picture for progress. After this Monday (12/7), I’ll post another.
 

Attachments

  • 0421DD78-EA56-4CAE-A462-049AB8A2EFAF.jpeg
    0421DD78-EA56-4CAE-A462-049AB8A2EFAF.jpeg
    217.1 KB · Views: 30
  • CF8B608B-515C-4A3A-8286-16264A6ED4B8.jpeg
    CF8B608B-515C-4A3A-8286-16264A6ED4B8.jpeg
    180.6 KB · Views: 27
  • AE2FCF14-25C5-4E85-BFE0-51F1221F646B.jpeg
    AE2FCF14-25C5-4E85-BFE0-51F1221F646B.jpeg
    206.9 KB · Views: 28
  • BF142F46-7E72-4DD7-A9A4-75B7E7F31972.jpeg
    BF142F46-7E72-4DD7-A9A4-75B7E7F31972.jpeg
    231.5 KB · Views: 34
OP
OP
BriansBrain

BriansBrain

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
362
Reaction score
365
Location
Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Turf is finally, and hopefully for good, going away! What is left in some areas looks weak and whiteish. I’m thinking a combo of Vibrant, urchins, emeralds, and UV tuned for algae were my solution.

I also receive a lot of ambient light in my house so I closed off some blinds that were kind of more direct. I also changed my rock scape :cool:
23359B9B-47A3-46E4-AED9-CEB22C52D32C.jpeg
 

iamacat

Higher than my pH
View Badges
Joined
Nov 21, 2020
Messages
701
Reaction score
954
Location
Torch Lake
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Turf is finally, and hopefully for good, going away! What is left in some areas looks weak and whiteish. I’m thinking a combo of Vibrant, urchins, emeralds, and UV tuned for algae were my solution.

I also receive a lot of ambient light in my house so I closed off some blinds that were kind of more direct. I also changed my rock scape :cool:
23359B9B-47A3-46E4-AED9-CEB22C52D32C.jpeg
Episode 1 Applause GIF by Friends
 
OP
OP
BriansBrain

BriansBrain

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
362
Reaction score
365
Location
Ohio
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello again friends. My algae is finally under control! I’m looking for some advice. Maybe I’m overthinking.

My nutrients have always consistently tested low and still are!! 5 or less nitrate, 0.02 or less phosphate despite my plague proportion uglies. I had always attributed my low nutrient levels to the algae/bacteria absorbing them. But it’s still the same. I’d really be happy at about 5-10 nitrate and greater than 0.05 phosphate.

I only have about 2 dozens frags/corals. Just about all of them have barely grown and sps are kinda pale. Not adding more coral until these start looking better and growing.

I feed corals 3x/week with reef chili and reef roids. Fish are fed daily 2x frozen and 2x pellets. Almost feel uncomfortable feeding this much to raise nutrients and have a large spike or even crash. Skimmer 24/7 and scrubber lights are on 3 hours/day. Still nutrients are low.

alk 8.2-8.5, cal 425, mg 1400, no3 5 (graph), PO4 0.01 (graph)
3CAAE04B-0C1D-4B02-A61D-70ECD01614D3.png
0A6E092F-F9B2-4429-B8E7-BA3AF861A3EF.jpeg
4BD6AC70-6014-471F-B775-90AACD240118.png
 

Being sticky and staying connected: Have you used any reef-safe glue?

  • I have used reef safe glue.

    Votes: 68 86.1%
  • I haven’t used reef safe glue, but plan to in the future.

    Votes: 5 6.3%
  • I have no interest in using reef safe glue.

    Votes: 3 3.8%
  • Other.

    Votes: 3 3.8%
Back
Top