Andrew!
Hey guys
My 29G tank was up for about 6 months and for about 4 of that it was hair algae city. I moved everything over to the 48G then scrubbed everything before the move. Now I am assuming (perhaps incorrectly, you know what they say about assumptions.... sometimes they're wrong [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] ) that moving my tank may generate a small cycle due to disruption of my sand bed but other than that all I was really doing was increasing the water volume. Everything was fine and looking fabulous (ooh the white white sandbed) and I decided to increase my alkalinity (this was in december, 2 months after the move). Then introduced a nudibranch (which died and wreaked some havoc upon death). I don't know if the combo did the deal or what (yes I know algae doesn't like increased alkalinity but I think I have a mutant kind) but its hair algae city all over the rocks and some other light brown grossness on the sand. I've reduced feedings, reduced the photoperiod (I'll probly try reducing it again but my leather coral is one PO'ed dude, anyone have any info on the amount of light these guys like??), protein skimmer skims some gross green stuff about 1/2 cup every 5-7 days or so. Algae removal: Worked well but killed my anthias somehow. It had a major conniption appeared to contract lockjaw and died in the space of about 2 mins so don't know what happened there (he had rather delicate sensibilities anyway) . Water test: everything negative (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) I don't have a phosphate tester (on the list of stuff to buy) but I assume that what phosphate there is in the water is tied up by the algae (I use RO/DI for topoff water and pasteurized seawater for water changes). Clean up crew: damn hermit crabs have developed a taste for snails. Why dine on crappy algae when you can have escargot?? I'm due for another load of snails the next time I can make it over (I'm not paying $3.49 a snail on the island when its just hermit fodder). I have a lawnmower blenny that is as fat as a cow and eats all the time but just can't keep up with the crap. Macro algae: right now I have 3 different kinds of caulerpa appearing in my tank (feather,razor,grape), not in huge amounts but starting to grow. I also have a big patch of halimeda which, of course, is covered with algae (surprise, surprise). I don't think its hair algae but quite frankly it is disgusting. Its brown and slimy and gross. And it has alot of bubbles in it. I think Right now I am trying to focus on water circulation and filtration. I need about 25lbs more of live rock and get rid of the crappy hagen powerheads that right now are probably more for show at the moment than functionality.
Other than that things are just peachy [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Hey Scott,
when you say you kept your skimmer really clean, what did you mean by that? Did you have algae growing in there too? I do apparently. I just looked at it. At least I'm good at something eh? [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
[ 20 January 2002: Message edited by: christyf5 ]</p>
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