Reef Addicts - Blogs - JABlacher

In need of some algae help!

JABlacher — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:38:15 GMT

Earlier in the week I posted a request for an algae ID and i'm reaching out again for more help. I have been siphoning out algae for the last two weeks and it seems that although my problem has gotten better, it always seems to return just as quickly. Tested all of the water parameters and as far as I can tell the tank is testing within all parameters I tested.
Currently my tank is experiencing what I believe are nitrogen bubbles across the rockwork. While the tank has been running for over a year, I experienced a devastating cycle about 2 months ago that practically leveled the tanks inhabitant. This occured after attempting to use chemi-clean to rid some red slime and what I believe was a nitrate spike that spiraled out of control. <--- (Yes I airated the tank with an air stone , and no i'm not blaming the chemi-clean).
Had a few questions I need some answers to:

1) I started biopellets about 2 weeks ago and i'm wondering if I should still run GFO until they take full effect to help quell some new algae growth.

2) Would a lights out period do any good or stress my SPS out too much and kill them <---(Really don't want this)

3) My cleanup crew is a bit light due to the tank cycling and wiping many of them out. Has anyone had any experience with limpets or chitons and their ability to clean rocks? My hermit crabs have slowly been killing one another and eating any snails they can turn over so I would rather stray from them.

4) Any other ideas?

Thanks for the help!

Gotta kick this algae mess!

JABlacher — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:37:08 GMT

I have been fighting this algae in my 150g tank for a bit now and just need some ideas. Have bio-pellets running, do weekly 10% water changes with Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, and have tested everything I can possibly think to test in the tank. Unfortunately I wont have a decent digital camera for a few more days so this is the best I can do.

The algae looks almost identical to taking nori and placing it across the surface of the rocks. It siphons with a little effort but seems to come back regardless. Phosphates test 0 and nitrates are almost non existent. Have an RO system and as far as I can tell i'm doing things right but I need some help. Any thoughts?

150 Gallon Lee Mar tank plumbed and filling

JABlacher — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:06:20 GMT

Alright, so after having to wait 5 weeks my new 150 gallon tank arrived and moved it in over the coarse of this weekend. Plumbed it almost entirely (except for the reactor and some minor top off hoses, and just a bit more organizing of some wires still needing work.

Here is the final plumbing with a single durso, as well as an emergency pipe in case the durso were to get clogged.

And now the long drawn out process of waiting for my RODI system to fill this thing. Not to mention waiting for the water murkiness from the sand to clear out.

More to come...

150 Gallon "Tankless" Build

JABlacher — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:24:35 GMT

Here are some pics of my ongoing 150 gallon LeeMar tank build. That is if LeeMar doesn't damage my tank again. It will be lit by a ATI Sunpower 5' 6 bulb T5 light.

I TIG welded the stand together using 1/8" thick 1-1/2" square tubing which was then powder coated. It has a removable raceway box to run the wires in, in the off chance that I later want to change up the design underneath for more space.

Side view of my PC4's and my wire raceway.

Semi-organized mess of wires in the raceway.

Other side of my raceway box where the modules are mounted to. The LED's are the lighting for my stand. The drivers for my 2- MP40's and my SL2 and MLC controllers are shown here.

View underneath with my 55 gallon sump and top off box. Still a bunch of wire organizing and plumbing to go. Not to mention a tank that if all goes well, will be here on Thursday.

More to come......