Algea and parameters - Page 2

TommysGirl · 02-28-2007, 01:23 PM

Ok, I have not been able to get to a LFS to have my water tested (local store doesn't do it). The last readings I gave were a few days before my water change, and these are today's readings (two days after my water change).

Nitrite-0-0.05ppm
Nitrate-20-50ppm
Ammonia-0ppm
Phospate-0.1ppm

So as you can see, my nitrates jumped up (as mentioned before my test kit has a really frustrating color coding about it, so they fall somewhere between the 20-50ppm mark). My ammonia dropped, and everything else is the same.

The algea growth seems to have slowed down, but it is by no means gone or close to gone.

So again, my question is what can I do to rid this agea and what the heck am I doing wrong, to have my nitrates jumping up?

Also, I'm currently running a CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer. I actually have two of these, one of which I was planning on selling, but would it be more beneficial to use both skimmers? I wouldn't be able to fit both skimmers and my regular HOB filter, as there just isn't enough room on my tank.

Any suggestions at all, will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

TommysGirl

Chitown1 · 02-28-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommysGirl

Ok, I have not been able to get to a LFS to have my water tested (local store doesn't do it). The last readings I gave were a few days before my water change, and these are today's readings (two days after my water change).

Nitrite-0-0.05ppm
Nitrate-20-50ppm
Ammonia-0ppm
Phospate-0.1ppm

So as you can see, my nitrates jumped up (as mentioned before my test kit has a really frustrating color coding about it, so they fall somewhere between the 20-50ppm mark). My ammonia dropped, and everything else is the same.

The algea growth seems to have slowed down, but it is by no means gone or close to gone.

So again, my question is what can I do to rid this agea and what the heck am I doing wrong, to have my nitrates jumping up?

Also, I'm currently running a CPR Bak Pak protein skimmer. I actually have two of these, one of which I was planning on selling, but would it be more beneficial to use both skimmers? I wouldn't be able to fit both skimmers and my regular HOB filter, as there just isn't enough room on my tank.

Any suggestions at all, will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

TommysGirl

Are you using RO/DI water?
Overfeeding?
How old are your light bulbs?

Using the other skimmer is not the issue, first we need to find the cause. Do you have a way to test the phosphates?

TommysGirl · 02-28-2007, 02:21 PM

I did test for phosphates, and they are listed in both posts. I'm using RO water. My bulbs are two months old. I highly doubt overfeeding is the culprit. I only feed every other day, and when I feed I turn all the pumps off and use a turkey baster to keep the food from going everywhere and going to waste. I do a weekly water change of five gallons as well.

Thanks!

TommysGirl

Chitown1 · 02-28-2007, 02:36 PM

Are you using a cannister filter? Those nitrates are pretty high and prob. the cause of the bloom given the rest of the info.

TommysGirl · 02-28-2007, 02:56 PM

No, I am not using a cannister filter. I have a penguin bio-whell 200 power filter. It's rated at 200GPH. I keep two of the filter media in there at all times, and generally I rotate them out every two weeks by replacing the older one with a new cartridge.

Ever since I got the protein skimmer and started using RO water, my nitrates have been way down. They used to be in the 80-100 range, but they've been consistently around 20 for months now. Until now, I've had little to no problems with algea.

Also, could the death of my emerald crab be related to any of this? He died right around the time that the algea started getting noticable. He/She was fine and thriving and then one day I noticed he/she was moving slower and then the next morning he was 'pinchers up' and gone! I also had two hermits die, but I'm pretty certain they were ambushed while changing shells. All the rest of my livestock is accounted for.

Thanks so much,

TommysGirl

TommysGirl · 02-28-2007, 09:21 PM

Hey Everyone,

Ok sorry to be a pain in the rear, but given everything I have said about what's going on with my tank-can anyone offer a suggestion on how to get my nitrates down so that hopefully this bleep bleep algea will subside? I have looked and asked everywhere I can think to get some possible suggestions, but I'm afraid I'm drawing up a blank

Any suggestions at all will be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank you so much!!

TommysGirl

gm333 · 02-28-2007, 10:32 PM

Try a phosphate reducer in a reactor or try to get some in your hob filter I have used some in pantyhose and set it in my hob, tey to stay away from phosban, it needs to be between filter floss so the sediment does not get in your tank. Altough you and Tommy could use a phos reactor around the house with all the tanks you guys have set up. Thier not a lot of money, and well worth it, although they do take a while to get rid of the phosphates.
Once your tank has fully matured the algae problems will become easier to handle.

Chitown1 · 02-28-2007, 11:18 PM

I would loose the bio wheel, it is prob causing the spike when you have as much LR and sand as you have, they turn nitrites into nitrates but have no way to break down the nitrates, the amount of LR and sand you have combined with the skimmer will provide the filtration you need and complete the cycle, but it cant keep up with the bio wheel.

TommysGirl · 03-01-2007, 08:50 AM

Chitown1 and gm333,

Thank you so much for your responses. If I were to get rid of my bio-wheel, is there anything I need to watch out for? As far as the phosphate reducer goes, aside from reducing phosphates, is there anything else to watch out for? I mean, am I going to create a new problem by trying to solve this problem?

I look forward to the day that my tank is mature enough to handle all this stuff!!

Thanks again to both of you, I really appreciate it!!

TommysGirl

P.S. Hey gm333-what is going on with RR? Is it open?

gm333 · 03-01-2007, 09:15 AM

Yes, so far its still open, altough they have not ordered much in lately. Have you registered for OMAS yet? There is a huge meeting at Aquarium Oddballs on 3/24/07. There will be frag demonstrations. Everyone will get to frag a piece and take it home. Lots of door prizes, Scott is working on some good prizes. It looks to be a fun night. Pm me and Ill give you the details on how to sign up and where.