Problem with corals

[1bigstud]

Here are some pics of what the algae in my tank looks like.

[1bigstud]

Tank has been running for about 4 yrs. using pc lighting ( bulbs less than 2mnths old) which has been quite successful in my previous system. Last time I had the alk and calcium checked at ocean aquatics they said it was bang on.
I was originally running a 450 watt halide and thought that was the issue so I switched to 2 75 watt pc bulbs.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by 1bigstud

Tank has been running for about 4 yrs. using pc lighting ( bulbs less than 2mnths old) which has been quite successful in my previous system. Last time I had the alk and calcium checked at ocean aquatics they said it was bang on.
I was originally running a 450 watt halide and thought that was the issue so I switched to 2 75 watt pc bulbs.

what other corals are you having trouble with?? are they all melting away??

[SteveConn]

GFO is Granular Ferric Oxide. I use PO4x4. It reduces your phosphates pretty fast and is rechageable (which is great because it isnt cheap). There are other types of GFO, but I find them messy...need a lot of rinsing. Biased because I used PO4x4 from the start.

Google GFO.

For a quick fix you can use a liquid phosphate reducer if you have a skimmer.

[SteveConn]

LOL.. Reefwars.. too fast for me. 1Big,, I'll leave you to the pros... I'm still a newbie.
Half of the fun of this hobby is the learning curve. You're in the right place coming here.

[reefwars]

if the tank is around 4yrs old i imagine the cyano is from you scrubbing the rocks of algae, stuff tends to build up after time in the rocks and that all would have been released and the algae itself then too.


if the flow is too strong in your tank then that too isnt good for softies and they will shrink up and die.

if light is to strong then they will shrivel up and melt.

[1bigstud]

pretty much everything has melted away within a week, toad stool, xenia, brain, colt. only thing that has survived is a mushroom.

[reefwars]

check your temp reguraly?? sounds almost like they cooked.....not surprised the mushroom survived lol

[1bigstud]

I keep my tank at 80, I'm leaning forwards phosphates as well. As the saying goes the solution to pollution is dilution. The system wih the skimmer and sump is probably between 90-100 gallons, I was think of doing water changes of 25-30 every couple days for a week.
Any objections, or better ideas?

Ps thanks to all of you for the info.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by 1bigstud

Here are some pics of what the algae in my tank looks like.

looks to be the start of a mild cyano bloom or at least a diatom bloom, excess nutrients is the cause.

are you testing?? what are your exact water parameters for:

nitrate
phosphate
amonia
alk
cal
what test kits are you using??


more than likely there is some nitrates and phosphates , corals dont do well with phosphates and although some small amount of nitrates is good large amounts are harmfull and bad for your livestock.both are huge contributing factors in algae growth.os are high i would reccommend getting some gfo and a reactor it will quickly rid you of phosphate.

what are you using for light??

if your ph