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View Full Version : More light intensity= Filamentous algae???


castroantonio
10/15/2007, 05:30 PM
I just to add 2 MH bulbs more (250 watts 20,000k).
I had 2 bulbs of 250 watts 14000k and now I have 4 MH bulbs 2 MH bulb 14,000k and 2 MH 20,000k. the MH bulbs were added last week.

and now Im having a filamentous algae blomms, is growing up!!

this bulb change could be the Guilty??
thank you

Billybeau1
10/15/2007, 08:11 PM
Yes, more light, more algae if PO4 is present.

You have a phosphate problem. Do you test for that ?

castroantonio
10/15/2007, 10:25 PM
Hello I have a salifert test and is almost zero. but I think that I have more P04, I need a better testkit.

I have a NO3 around 15.

thank you

Billybeau1
10/15/2007, 10:33 PM
You may want to try running a GFO,

Iron Oxide Hydroxide (GFO) phosphate binders
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.htm

grouper25
10/16/2007, 08:58 AM
What is "filamentous " algae?????? Sound like what I have seen and my fear is gigh Phos. Its a small whitish material which blows off the rocks in my tank. Not green at all. Hermits love it. Is this what I have???
Thx

Steve973
10/16/2007, 10:48 AM
filamentous algae is hair algae, and it can be green or red. But as others were saying, more light plus nutrients equals more algae. You can combat this by reducing your nitrates via nutrient export, such as water changes, macro algae, skimming, carbon, and other "binding" media. A combination of these measures would be a good idea. I'd recommend a reactor for granular activated carbon and some GFO media. Some people say that you can put this in the same reactor if it doesn't tumble from the current, or you can separate them into two reactors. When your nitrates and phosphates are undetectable, your algae situation should slowly reverse itself.