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john.r
03-29-2002, 10:54 PM
what the? my tank was running fine for a year
[skimmerless] then all of a sudden GREEN!
in 1 day! did a 10g water change [65g tank]
and its actually worse. what the heck happened.
haven't changed any feeding or lights.
what next fellow reefers? do I just wait it out.

canadawest
03-29-2002, 11:11 PM
Hey John, welcome to the club.

My 100gal tank was running fine for 9 months [Prizm Skimmer], then BAM hair algae breakout.

I have recently upgraded to a larger skimmer (I always knew the Prizm would be too small, but I was saving money to start out), and have been hand removing it, as well as other anti-algae measures, but still battling it 4 months later.

At least it hasn't really spread much, and seems to be slowly receeding, but it's a long battle. It seems to be normal for all tanks after a period of time (way after the initial cycling blooms) to experience some sort of recurring bloom of algae. I guess nutrients build up over time, and unless you had a large skimmer, a refugium, and healthy cleanup crew from the start, everyone is likely to be where you and I are today.

Persistance and patience will be your best tools in ridding yourself of the algae battle. Check out this thread on Aquariumpros.com as it touches on several things you can do to fight algae blooms. Algae Discussion (http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=457)

titus
03-30-2002, 12:29 AM
Hello,

I've heard similar scenarios also for tanks that are running no or undersized skimmers.

Gordoe
03-30-2002, 11:01 AM
I had a SEVERE hair algae problem and I feel it was caused by using a skimmer that was undersized... I'm using crushed coral as a substrate and when I moved my tank I found the substate was in bad shape.

I removed all the crushed coral and started skimming this alone and the gunk that was pulled out was incredible.

no more hair algae... WOOHOO!!!

Gord

ruck'n'reefer
03-30-2002, 01:56 PM
What type of tap water filtration do you use? If the carbon filter is old that could be your problem.

john.r
03-30-2002, 11:53 PM
I'm using DISTILLED WATER. I have no hair algea
just green green water, cloudy as hell. wierd!
bio load is low.

reefburnaby
03-31-2002, 04:59 AM
Hi,

I don't know how to say this, but congratulations...you have created green water. Also known as phytoplankton and this is good food for your corals. People actually pay $40 for a gallon for this stuff smile.gif

In any case, this is caused by too much nutrients. The simplest way to fix this problem (not that it is a problem) is to buy a micron filter cartridge for magnum 250/350/300 canister/HOT magnium. I used some duct tape and converted my power head such that the intake water passes through the micron filter.

The other way is to a 95% water change and lights out for 2 weeks. And then another 95% water change.

Nutrient export is important in a skimmerless system -- you may want to look at implementing an ATS. This is much more effective than a skimmer.

Hope that helps.

- Victor.