I am not a quitter

[Cord]

First set up was unsuccessful, so I am trying this again.

I had an algae bloom I could not eliminate.  Initial set up was not 100% RO/DI water, but I did major water changes when I

purchased an RO/DI filter.  I tried just about everything except baking the rocks.  I took a break after six months of frustration. 
The algae only grew on the sand, not the rocks, and I believe because of the tank's close proximity to a window with
plenty of sunlight, this may have been the root of my problem. 

 

Recently, I removed all of the live rock into a temprary 55 gallon tank (100% RO/DI).  Moved the 155 into the basement
(No sunlight).  Added RO/DI water, 135lbs dry sand, and placed the live rock back into the main tank. 

The tank has been running for approx 3 weeks and I have had diatoms for 2 weeks now.  I must admit
the diatoms resemble the same algae problem I had before.  So I hope they go away this time.  There is no stock in the tank currently

155 bowfront
135 lb dry sand
160 lb live rock
40 gallon breeder sump
18 Mag return pump
Reef Octopus 200 skimmer
2 powerheads
2 ecoxotic panoramo pro modules (put out 80 watts each),
I know I need to add more light fixtures to the modules, but my budget is limited.  I figured
as long as I focus the emajority of the lighting to the center, this is where I will place future corals

Any suggestions and tips are welcome.  Just trying to get reefing......

 

[sachabballi reef]

Congrats at sticking in there. We have all had our share of frustrations. Algae is a natural part of a cycle.. give your tank a chance to get to stability ...what are your current parameters?

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

 

 

[monkiboy]

nice to see you on here cordell. hang in there bud and stick it through. i know the research and nonstop quest you've been on to get things right again before starting again and am confident it'll pay off for you. be patient and keep right on track! keep the photos coming. any photos of the diatom bloom you are having?

[Origami]

Welcome back, Cord. Glad you're giving it another go.

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

Looks nice... Welcome... Back?!?!?! lol. First Introduction here with yah'. But Nice to meet Yah. Very Gorgeous tank.

Edited October 5, 2013 by TheyCallMeMr.703

[AlanM]

Sheesh, another Montgomery Village reef tank?  The Maryland meeting on Oct 26 will have to be in Montgomery Village at this rate.

[Djplus1]

Did somebody say Montgomery Village meeting? Word to your motha... I'll have to check you out Cord!

[Cord]

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback.   DJ Plus, I right around the corner man.  The params are as follows:

SG .18

Phos 0.1

ammonia 0

Nitrate 0

PH 7.9

 

Monkiboy here are a few pics of the bloom

 

 

 

 

 

[smallreef]

I'm going to assume you mean your specific gravity is 1.018?

Why so low?

Most keep theirs at 1.026 ish

[Cord]

correct, 1.018.  I plan to increase it.  I ran out of salt between my main tank and quarantine.  Since there is no stock in the tank I figured it was fine while it is cycling

[gmerek2]

Glad you are back! Good to see a moco reefer! I'm sure you will find less issues with bio load & algae in the larger tank. Just under stock it with fish and over stock skimmer. Its a lot easier to prevent the algae than get rid of. That tank is amazing I'm jealous!

[Cord]

Thx G, will def take the advice

[gmerek2]

You going to run GFO? It really helps prevent. I quit in my tank as an experiment. What little GHA I had started to come back right away. Ill never do that again.

[Cord]

I do own a phosban 500, but was planning to wait to hook it up.  I was under the impression that GFO and phosban controlled cyano bacteria and other forms of algae, but not diatoms.  Let me know if I am incorrect and it will be on tomorrow, lol