Major Phyto Issues

[arichmond1003]

Hey guys, I’ve had some phyto issues for about a month now. I’ve done research and tried to solve the issues but I’m at a point where nothing is working.
My tank is small, it’s a 5 gallon bb tank mainly for zoas. I’m running a aquaclear hob with the sponge filter, bio bag, and now carbon. I’ve stopped coral feeding and just strictly feeding to keep fish alive.
My attempts to fix the issue have been introducing filter feeders into the tank, no help. Water changes, no help. Cover the tank for 3 days and 100% water change, no help.
Help!!

 

[Mhart032]

Pictures?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R !!! The smaller the tank the more complicated is to keep parameters stable. What fish you have on your tank? Depending on your feeding, keep an eye on the sponge filter doesn't get loaded with food and can create some issues.

 

[arichmond1003]

Yes.... Im aware of the difficulty of keeping a small tank stable. Rinse my sponge out weekly and I have an algae blenny, tailspin blenny, a clown, two emerald crabs, and now 1 snail in my tank.

The picture of the water in the jar is before my lights where off for 3 days and a full water change

 

[MnFish1]

Yes.... Im aware of the difficulty of keeping a small tank stable. Rinse my sponge out weekly and I have an algae blenny, tailspin blenny, a clown, two emerald crabs, and now 1 snail in my tank.

The picture of the water in the jar is before my lights where off for 3 days and a full water change

what happened with the lights off - did it go away? how do you make your water? RODI? Its a combination of too much light, too many nutrients and IMHO there may not be enough filtration.

 

[Hemmdog]

You’re not using tap water are you? Welcome to reef2reef!
What’s your salinity?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Yes.... Im aware of the difficulty of keeping a small tank stable. Rinse my sponge out weekly and I have an algae blenny, tailspin blenny, a clown, two emerald crabs, and now 1 snail in my tank.

The picture of the water in the jar is before my lights where off for 3 days and a full water change

What's your light schedule?

 

[arichmond1003]

Salinity is right at 30 ppm or 1.023 specific gravity.
No, I’m not using tap water I’m buying distilled water.
When I had the lights off and tank covered the phyto did go away/ die.
Current light schedule is in the picture. Max is 70% UV, Royal, Violet, Blue. 50% white.

 

[Hemmdog]

Get it back up to 1.025, that could be part of your problem.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

I had this happen a few years ago in my 125. I cultured my own N. oculata at home and one day just added a little too much and ended up with this:

Tried adding 50 live clams (hence the basket at the top) and they didn't even touch it.

Took a UV sterilizer to clear it out.

 

[MnFish1]

Salinity is right at 30 ppm or 1.023 specific gravity.
No, I’m not using tap water I’m buying distilled water.
When I had the lights off and tank covered the phyto did go away/ die.
Current light schedule is in the picture. Max is 70% UV, Royal, Violet, Blue. 50% white.

It could be whats in the 'distilled water'.

 

[MnFish1]

It could be whats in the 'distilled water'.

IE - certain organics can remain in distilled water - something could also be leaching from the container the water is in.

 

[MSB123]

Use a UV

 

[arichmond1003]

I don’t think it’s from the water. I’ve used the same brand of water for the duration of the tank, but I do get anything is possible.
I read your thread JS and I put some clams in mine too and they didn’t do anything as well.
Looks like a UV might be the way to go

 

[MnFish1]

I don’t think it’s from the water. I’ve used the same brand of water for the duration of the tank, but I do get anything is possible.
I read your thread JS and I put some clams in mine too and they didn’t do anything as well.
Looks like a UV might be the way to go

There are also DIY water polishers on youtube - here is a link:

There has to be an underlying reason for this - . Have you had your water tested?

 

[MnFish1]

PS - what are the nitrate, phosphate levels etc in your tank - and the water you're using? Have you checked the TDS of your water?