Nitrates still 160 ppm
- Thread starter gemini9
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Since you haven't had anything to feed I bet your phosphate levels are quite low. The biggest source of phosphate is usually the food we feed our fish. People really like to blame hair algae on everything but what actually causes it, phosphate. Everything from old light bulbs, sunlight, nitrate, hitchhiker, moon position whatever else can be thought of. Yes nitrate will play a role in having hair algae, but its the phosphate that causes it. The nitrate just helps it grow a little faster.
The previous post is very spot on.... No you won't get hair algae if you keep your phosphate in check.
The previous post is very spot on.... No you won't get hair algae if you keep your phosphate in check.
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
Pete is right on!! I forgot to mention the lighting!
But assuming yours are new? If not I'd change them. The smallest bit of phosphate can cause a bloom with wrong or old florescent lighting. Like Pete said sun will do the same if your phosphates are just a little elevated, but if your parameters are good sun light is ok if not better. In most cases sun will contribute to growth of hair algae
But assuming yours are new? If not I'd change them. The smallest bit of phosphate can cause a bloom with wrong or old florescent lighting. Like Pete said sun will do the same if your phosphates are just a little elevated, but if your parameters are good sun light is ok if not better. In most cases sun will contribute to growth of hair algae
both my tanks get direct sunlight for about 2 hours a day, once in the morning, once in the evening. Whatever comes through the blinds goes right into my tank. Gha.ALWAYS indicates there is too much phosphate, it doesn't matter what a test kit says. The phosphate can be bound by the rock and consumed by the algae therefore getting a false test reading. I worried about a test reading about a year ago. It kept reading .08, so I was using phosphate removing media. This reading refused to get any lower, so I kept using it. The end result was 95% of my acro dying. I checked distilled water and guess what.... .08. I now just read the tank for phosphate. How often am I having to clean the glass? Are there any tiny patches of gha anywhere? This is way better than using a test kit IMO.
OP
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gemini9
Newb!
The bulbs I have are the factory stocked flouresent bulbs that came with the hood of the tank. It's nothing special. The tank does receive some sun light throughout the day. The brown film stuff growing on my glass, is that cyano? Brown algae?
Nitrates, I picked up some 5% white distilled vinegar. A gallon of it. I'll probably start dosing the tank. Did I pick up the right stuff?
Nitrates, I picked up some 5% white distilled vinegar. A gallon of it. I'll probably start dosing the tank. Did I pick up the right stuff?
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gemini9
Newb!
It's a 30 gallon long tank. 36" long and 17" high. 12" width. I'll look into some new lights. Do I need to replace the entire hood/light fixture or can I just grab a different bulb? Off to bed. I'll look up info tomorrow.
If you want too have corals then you will need too replace it.
I have this light over my 40
http://m.ebay.com/itm/351057968987?nav=SEARCH
I also have the 24" model on my 29. I have nothing but good things to say about them.
I have this light over my 40
http://m.ebay.com/itm/351057968987?nav=SEARCH
I also have the 24" model on my 29. I have nothing but good things to say about them.
I'm pretty sure itsa t8 bulb and fixture and its 17w. Just the standard strip that comes with a hood.
http://m.petco.com/product/7394/Aqueon-Fluorescent-Strip-Lights-in-Black.aspx
We need some t5 on this bad boy. I would not suggest led to anyone with little or no experience in the hobby.
http://m.petco.com/product/7394/Aqueon-Fluorescent-Strip-Lights-in-Black.aspx
We need some t5 on this bad boy. I would not suggest led to anyone with little or no experience in the hobby.
No 10k, no one uses that range anymore. Even if its a 2 lamps unit, they can still get away with an Actinic and a Blue+ or 12-14k lamp
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