Huge green algae problem, help please.

[JakeKM]

Its not exactly an emergency but i didnt know where else to post this. I have been at war with green algae in my tank for almost a year, my "janitors" don't go near the stuff, i keep pullin it out and it just comes back stronger, i have incresed flow with minimal results, yes i am using RO water, no the tank is not in direct sunlight, yes i do replace my bulbs every 6 months.

Phosphates-0
Nitrates-0 (probaly because of my algea problem)
KH-9
ph-around 8.2

24g

No skimmer

I would apreciate all the halp i can get, thankyou.

 

[dbjacks]

How long do you leave your lights on during the day? I only keep mine on 8 hours, I was told from the lfs that anything more than this does NOTHING for your corals (they can only photosynthesize so much in a day) and will only contribute to algae growth.

If lighting is not an issue, I would really consider pulling individual rocks out and cleaning them.

Hope this helps.

 

[reefman23]

Have you tested your water sources for phosphates/nitrates... the water you are using for water changes and topoff? What brand are the test kits that are you using?

What kind of lighting are you running, what spectrum are the lamps and how old are they?

Maybe this link can help. I didnt read all the way through it but their articles are usually pretty helpful... http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php

Jesse

 

[TimSchmidt]

Also check out bryopsis. Apparently it's a tough algae that is kind of like hair algae but really tough. One treatment method is to dose magnesium up to about 1500-1600 bryopsis.

 

[JakeKM]

Thankyou. i feared my test kit was "off" so i took a sample to my LFS who who confirmed that my test kit was accurate, i use RO water from the same shop that i trust, i top off with RO water, my lighting consists of 2x 36w + 10000k PL tubes, my lights are on 8hrs and are changed every 6 months as recomended, the guy at my lfs asured me the salt i use is pollutant free.

I don't dose magnesium, i will read up and talk to the guy at my lfs about this method. i will take the time to read through that article reefman.

Thanks again for input.

 

[JakeKM]

I think i'm in control of the problem, for the past 2 weeks i have been removing the algea as soon as i see it every day, giving the good algea a chance and watching my nitrate closely. so far so good. :cry: (tears of joy)

 

[TimSchmidt]

Awesome! Let us know! Pics?