saltwater breakdown/rebuild

[nonstophoops]

last time i tested my nitrates and phosphates are low. i have 4 powerheads moving 2000+ gallons per hour, i have one fox nosed butterfly about 4 inches and nothing else. i have a lifegard 4000 at about 4.5 to 5 feet high. im not sure if its slime or hair but researching online it looks like diatoms. ill get some exact parameters and pictures later

Sounds pretty good from what you have said.

I think that most likely the key here is going to be your source water. Are you using RODI water? If you aren't, this could be what is bringing in the essentials for algae to grow like phosphate.

What kind of sand do you have? A lot of times diatoms grow when you have a silica based sand.

The exact parameters and pictures will definitely be helpful.

 

[Chaz88]

Sounds pretty good from what you have said.

I think that most likely the key here is going to be your source water. Are you using RODI water? If you aren't, this could be what is bringing in the essentials for algae to grow like phosphate.

What kind of sand do you have? A lot of times diatoms grow when you have a silica based sand.

The exact parameters and pictures will definitely be helpful.

Agree on water source. I don't use RO/DI and have come to except that until I do excess algae is going to be part of my life. The fish don't seam to care and the extra green stuff helps use up dissolved waste.

 

[Zoodiver]

Look at the factors that lead to algae: Light, food source, phos/nitrate.

Too much light and too much fish feeding are the number one combination for algae problems.

 

[Chaz88]

Look at the factors that lead to algae: Light, food source, phos/nitrate.

Too much light and too much fish feeding are the number one combination for algae problems.

To much light is also part of my problem. Not necessarily from the tank light, but my tank gets more sunlight than I would like even though I keep the blinds closed all the time. I don't want to cut the sun light any more because living in a cave is not why I have house.

 

[shark_curious]

i do use an rodi, i just cut down the lighting by 50% a few days ago thinking that would help, feeding is kept to a minimal

 

[shark_curious]

heres a few shots

 

[shua71]

Doesn't look like its on your rocks. Whats wrong with just scrubbing it? Salt tanks get a lot more algae than freshwater

 

[shark_curious]

it isn't really on the rocks only the sand and glass

 

[shark_curious]

am i wrong to be worried about this?

 

[Chaz88]

As long as the water parameters are safe for the fish I believe it more of a aesthetic concern than anything. If you can stand the rest of it just clean the glass and enjoy the pretty green foliage.