algae when filter removed

[Jessica]

A LFS had recommended that I put in matrix carbon and phosguard into my sump for 1 week every month. I have noticed that once I take it out, algae will start to grow on sand surface. Green algae and brown hair algae.

90 gallon tank - I use ro/di water for changes and top offs. nitrates, phosphates are 0. I have 2 maxi-jet 1200 powerheads, euro-reef protein skimmer rs80. Any suggestions?

[lletellier]

disreguard what i said...

Edited May 9, 2007 by lletellier

[YBeNormal]

Uh, not quite. The "red algae" you are referring to (cyano) is actually not an algae, it's a bacteria. Second, hair algae does require light, nitrates and phosphates to grow. Take away or reduce one or all of these requirements and the algae will either disappear or begin to grow and spread more slowly. Increase all three and you'll have a serious algae farm. Silicates may also play a role but how much of a role is a topic that is still being debated on many forums.

 

Fact: If you have green hair algae, you do have excess nitrates and phosphates. They may not show up on home test kits as they are quickly taken up by the algae. If your bulbs are old, their color may have shifted and this may be contributing to the problem.

 

Jessica,

 

We'll need more information to help nail down the root cause of the algae issue. What fish are you keeping and how long has the tank been set up? Macro algae in your sump? What is your water change regimen? Lighting type and schedule? What are you feeding and how often? I'm sure we'll have more questions but this will help get things started.

 

In the mean time, you might want to cut back on feeding, rinse meaty foods before adding them to the tank, reduce your lighting period and increase water changes. Pull and remove any algae you can because it will release phosphates and nitrates back into the tank as it dies off, feeding the cycle that you are trying to break.

Edited May 9, 2007 by YBeNormal

[flowerseller]

Tell us how long it's been up and about your water #'s

Do you use KALK for all top off?

What do you add and for what?

[Rascal]

Fact: If you have green hair algae, you do have excess nitrates and phosphates. They may not show up on home test kits as they are quickly taken up by the algae.

 

Agreed.

 

Other suggestions:

 

1) Sounds like the carbon and phosguard are working. Maybe try leaving running them continuously, changing every two weeks?

 

2) More flow. Keeps stuff in suspension, gets it over the overflow, processed by skimmer.