What is going on with my tank? Algae problem...but water OK

[kosey929]

Hi Fishy People! I haven't posted in a long time, but I'm having a problem with my tank and I know you will be able to help me. My problem hair algae and cyanobacteria (to a lesser degree) in my 56 gallon tank. (I have moved and am no longer able to keep a nano tank as well, but I sure do miss it!) I thought for sure I had a water quality issue, so I tested it this morning and it's near perfect! Here are the params:

SG = 1.025 ppt
Ammonia = 0 ppm
pH = 8.2
Alkalinity ~ 2.3
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0 ppm
Calcium >700 (is it possible for calcium to be too high?)
Phosphate = .25 mg/L
temp = 80F (normal for my tank)

I assumed phosphate was the problem and added Kent Phosphate Sponge to my filter media only 5 minutes before testing...could it work that quickly? I run an Aquaclear 300 filter with sponge, Kent reef carbon and just added the Kent Phosphate Sponge today.

I'm also having problems with some of my tank inhabitants. My ocellaris clown appears to have been beaten up...possibly by my maroon clown who has left him alone up to this point. My royal gramma is kind of off color, and my blue tang has spots (ich??). Two of my paly colonies aren't opening up like usual and their 'eyelashes' don't look as full as before. I never have problems with my tank, and this has me stumped.

I've attached a picture that I took today, but it's not too good. I'll post more later if that will help with diagnosis.

What's up?? om

Thanks,
Karen[/img]

 

[TimSchmidt]

I can't see the image, but keep in mind your water parameters can read fine and there still be a problem with them. A possible reason you read 0 phosphates is the algae is eating it all. Cut back on amount you are feeding, increase flow over all, and weekly water changes (smaller ones are better IMO 10% or so). I can't help you with the fish though.

 

[KidNano]

I've got the same issue with Algae and cyano. It sucks, I know. I'm running a phosban reactor but I've gotten bad at keeping up on my water changes. Cyano is doing a lot better. anyway I don't have any advice for you on that matter.... however the two clowns. I had a maroon clown and a tomato and they fought like crazy. get rid of the maroon and they'll stop fighting. Those things are aggressive. You won't be able to get them to stop.

Good luck with the algae.

 

[Ritsuko N]

My ocellaris clown appears to have been beaten up...possibly by my maroon clown

With this choice in mixing species of clown fish together, especially with a Maroon its no suprise the Ocellaris is looking pummeled. Its something I would expect under the best of circumstances. The short answer on the solution to this is one of them needs to go.

SG = 1.025 ppt
Ammonia = 0 ppm
pH = 8.2
Alkalinity ~ 2.3
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0 ppm
Calcium >700 (is it possible for calcium to be too high?)
Phosphate = .25 mg/L
temp = 80F (normal for my tank)

The calcium is way too high or that test was done incorrectly or you need to have that test done with another test kit to verify results. .25 for phosphate is still too high, and additionally with the Phosphate media added will be giving you a signifcantly lower reading that whats actually in the water just as the presence of algae will give you a lower reading than what is actually present in your system. With a good test kit...if you can detect it its too high and corrective action needs to be taken to avoid algae issues. I didnt see anything on feeding or even whats being fed, but as mentioned earlier I would cut back on feedings if this is possible. I would also keep running the phosphate media too as well. I too recommend frequent small water changes with RO water. This will keep Phosphates from being addied to your top off and make up water and allow you to gradually elimenate it from the system. There was no mention of clean up crew or its compisition. You might consider giving the CUC a booster shot and adding a few more snails and hermits that can graze on the rocks and the glass surfaces in the tank. I usually add a gang of Mexican Dwarf Blue Leg Hermits and Astrea or Banded Trochus snails to my tanks when I have a algae issue. Nassarious and Cerith snails might help a bit with the cyno by stirring the sand bed and consuming crude that builds up in the sand bed that can fuel the cyno.

and my blue tang has spots (ich??).

Treat and QT! Get this guy healthy again and eating well. A Tang can make short work of an many algae issue in a matter of days. This is one of the many ways Mother Nature handles algae in the oceans, take aplay from her play book and use one too.

You didnt mention you lighting set up or the last time bulbs were changed. This too might be a factor. If your running a 12 on 12 off light cycle and your bulbs havent experienced a color shift due to age then cut the lighting cycle by a couple of hours. This should have a minimal effect on the corals and will slow the spread of algae growth at the same time.

Just some ideas to look at...

 

[kosey929]

It sounds like I'm on the right track.....

Thanks for your input.

As for my clowns....I put them together by necessity rather than choice. When I moved a few months back, I had to consolidate my 12G nanocube with my 56G. I knew there could be a problem, but had no choice. There wasn't a problem until now. The ocellaris is actually doing pretty well despite the beating. He's active and eating well.

The tang and gramma are both showing signs of ich, but also otherwise active and eating well. I have two cleaner shrimp, and I've seen both fish receiving their 'cleaning services.' I've had both of these fish for over a year, and haven't added anything new that would introduce the disease. All I can figure is that the temp must have dropped a bit during a power outage we had last Friday.

As for my water, I suspect phosphate is my problem but can't seem to find consistent answers about what is too much for a marine tank. Where can I find a benchmark?

I will retest for calcium tomorrow when I have more time, but again...what's the benchmark? I've seen a couple of references to a range of 400-450, but never any reference to what would be too high.

As for my clean-up crew....after a couple of years at has dwindled a bit. I have about 5 nassarius snails, a few turbos and, a couple of blue-leg hermits, one scarlet hermit and 4 serpent stars. Yesterday, I ordered the following to boost it up: 20 nassarius, 10 ceriths, a sea cucumber, 10 blue-legs, and 5 red-legs. All this is in the hopes of keeping my sand bed stirred up.

I've also taken apart, cleaned and moved all of my powerheads in hopes of improving flow. I use well water, and haven't had problems before. Maybe the water in my new place has more phosphates.

I'll keep you all posted on my progress. Right now my tank looks great, and hopefully it will stay this way! (BTW: I couldn't get my pic to post even though it was within acceptable limits. If I have time tomorrow, I'll try again.)

-Karen

 

[kosey929]

Oh yeah....

I forgot to mention my feeding habits. I feed high-quality flake food (which all of my fish eat with pleasure) once a day at most. If anything, I tend towards under-feeding. I've been keeping fish (FW for 15+ years and marines for 2 years) and learned the overfeeding lesson a long time ago.

HTH.

-Karen

 

[Ritsuko N]

When I asked the feeding question I was assuming that you werent over feeding, but many flake foods can be high in nitrates and a lot of the juice in frozen food preps can cause issues with water quality. It doesnt really sound like this is a factor in your specific case but just thought I would bring it up per chance there is a noob with a simular problem reading this threat trying to figure out which ways up.

 

[kosey929]

When I asked the feeding question I was assuming that you werent over feeding, but many flake foods can be high in nitrates and a lot of the juice in frozen food preps can cause issues with water quality. It doesnt really sound like this is a factor in your specific case but just thought I would bring it up per chance there is a noob with a simular problem reading this threat trying to figure out which ways up.

No problem...it was a good question.

I forgot to ask if you can provide, or direct me to, more information about calcium levels and what impact a high level will have on my system. There seems to be an abundance of info about low calcium, but not high calcium.

Thanks again,
Karen

 

[TimSchmidt]

Phosphates should be as close to zero as possible.