Linguisa

Thanks for all the comments so far, there have been some interesting ideas. Honestly I've not monitored my Magnesium levels and will take a look into that approach. We've got a decent set of critters in there, including emerald crabs and they never seem to be able to keep up. The sea hare might be worth a shot so I'll look into that further. I knew I'd get a lot of suggestions for the refugium, but I don't see how I can do it in a reasonable manner. The tank has such a small foot print (36" x 12") that the area under the stand with the sump is already crammed to the max. The tank is also close enough to a wall on two sides that there isn't really room for hang on stuff in the back or side. What's the story with bio-pellets? I'm not familiar with them? Again thanks for all the feedback, it has been helpful.

We are struggling with a longterm hair algae problem that has been an issue for over a year now and I am running out of ideas on how to manage it. While we have taken numerous steps to combat it and seem to have made some progress, nothing has solved this issue. Here are the facts: - 38 gallon reef - about 2.5 years old - T5 lighting, coralife protein skimmer (spits out good foam), wet/dry sump - hammer coral, leather coral, mushroom coral and some polyps - clown fish, goby and a coral beauty Water tests out good: pH - 8.2 Ammonia - 0.0 Nitrite - 0.0 Nitrate - 0.0 Phosphate - 0.02 (use multiple test kits, including hach colorimeter -- tests often give no reading at all) RO/DI water used and tests clean for Phosphate We've been through the all the obvious steps including: - replacing bulbs, cutting back on lighting - PO4 removal mediums - water changes, water changes and more water changes - reduced feedings - complete removal of live sand bed - lots or persistent cleaning, brushing rock etc. At this point the problem is not as bad as it has been at its peak but is still quite an eyesore and more than I can keep up with. It just won't go away. My only remaining theory is that the live rock might be acting as a reservoir for phosphates and is providing the hair algae a continuing source of phosphates. For some reason certain rocks have much less algae coverage than others despite being next to "problem rocks" with very similar lighting and water flow. I'm not ready to pull rock out if there are other options, especially since quite a bit of it has nice mushrooms all over it. While a refugium would be nice approach, it's just not a realistic option due to my layout (no space). I've got many years of aquarium and reef keeping experience under my belt and have battled algae many times before but this case has got me. I'm looking for any ideas or suggestions on what else I might look at. Thanks in advance for your comments.

I'm planning to purchase a water filter to set up my Arlington County home. I have a 38 gallon tank with three fish, two large corals, a handful of mushrooms, two shrimp, and a bunch of 'cleaning crew' critters. Any suggestions for type or brand of filter? Is it necessary to get an RO/DI unit or will an RO unit suffice? Thanks and happy new year!

Twice is the last week or so I've come home from work to find the water in my tank is touching the glass cover. Water is still flowing down into the sump but it's at a much slower rate than the pump is pumping into the tank. I unplug the pump wait for the water level to reduce in the tank, and then plug the pump back in and all appears to be back to normal - for a while. I suspect that there might be some build up in the hose carying water down to the sump, although I can't imagine what it could be. I'm worried that the next time the water will over flow right over the top of the tank! Is this a common problem? Could my pump be broken - and randomly pumping faster?

I've noticed red translucent parasites on my frilly mushroom coral. At first they looked like little spots - but I've seen them move, like a flat worm. I think they are harming my mushrooms and I need to get rid of them. I think they are most concentrated on the mushrooms that get the most light. These mushrooms now look dull and lighter in color. I have one other mushroom in the tank, not too far from the frillies, and the parasites haven't appeared on it. Thoughts? Help? My marine tank has been running since October. 38 gallons, T5 lights, three fish, clean up crew (snails, hermit crabs, emerald crabs, conch), wet/dry filter, protein skimmer, we do a water change about every two weeks. Thanks for your help, Luisa

I've had two gobies pass away recently and I'm wondering its because they couldn't get enough to eat because the sand in my tank is too coarse. Is this possible? I have argonite sand (not live). My tank has been up and running about three months and I need a fish (or something) to filter the sand. I've got a small army of hermit crabs, snails, a couple emerald crabs, and a conch. I was hoping the Goby could also help clean up the sand also but I can't keep one for more than a few days. Any suggestions?