- Joined
- Aug 30, 2017
- Messages
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Hi,
I have been dealing with red algae and high nitrates on my tank, to where I lost 2 BTA and a bunch of zoas. So let get to it,
Tank 150 gal display and 40 gal sump, about 1 year old, 2" of sand. I use RODI and readings are at 0, Lights on for about 10 hours, Sump and Skimmer.
Salinity 1.025
CA around 420 as low as 380 before I dose (once a week)
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Alk 7.7
Phosphate 0
Ammonia 0 (using the batch trace with API)
Magnesium 1,200
temp 79
PH 8
KIT stored in the garage, I rinse pipettes with tap water.
Everything its been OK for the last 8 months Tank was looking good.
I went away for two weeks and get back and start to notice some red algae. I ran water test and all OK (Nitrates at zero) so I start to feed more and I visited my local LFS, show them some pictures and that is DINO so I come home with a bottle to "seed" the tank. Do not change the water, I was told. A week goes by and the problem continues and now it is getting worst, This time I go to another LFS with an specimen cup full of water. They test the water and the Nitrates are at 100 ppm. (zero on my API kit). (everything else is good) so this time I come home with Chemiclean and a new test kit. I run the test and is at 80 ppm. so I do a 50 gallons of WC added the medicine per instructions. waited 3 days and done another WC and more meds. This weekend I will do another 50 gallon and no medicine and planning to add carbon and start the skimmer. Last night the Nitrates were at 40 ppm
What I'm doing wrong? What's Missing?
Does Cheato helps lower the Nitrates? (the green Brillo pad)
Any help is appreciated,
Thank you!
I have been dealing with red algae and high nitrates on my tank, to where I lost 2 BTA and a bunch of zoas. So let get to it,
Tank 150 gal display and 40 gal sump, about 1 year old, 2" of sand. I use RODI and readings are at 0, Lights on for about 10 hours, Sump and Skimmer.
Salinity 1.025
CA around 420 as low as 380 before I dose (once a week)
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Alk 7.7
Phosphate 0
Ammonia 0 (using the batch trace with API)
Magnesium 1,200
temp 79
PH 8
KIT stored in the garage, I rinse pipettes with tap water.
Everything its been OK for the last 8 months Tank was looking good.
I went away for two weeks and get back and start to notice some red algae. I ran water test and all OK (Nitrates at zero) so I start to feed more and I visited my local LFS, show them some pictures and that is DINO so I come home with a bottle to "seed" the tank. Do not change the water, I was told. A week goes by and the problem continues and now it is getting worst, This time I go to another LFS with an specimen cup full of water. They test the water and the Nitrates are at 100 ppm. (zero on my API kit). (everything else is good) so this time I come home with Chemiclean and a new test kit. I run the test and is at 80 ppm. so I do a 50 gallons of WC added the medicine per instructions. waited 3 days and done another WC and more meds. This weekend I will do another 50 gallon and no medicine and planning to add carbon and start the skimmer. Last night the Nitrates were at 40 ppm
What I'm doing wrong? What's Missing?
Does Cheato helps lower the Nitrates? (the green Brillo pad)
Any help is appreciated,
Thank you!