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View Full Version : "Snow" and green hair algae problem and other unidentifiables


truebeliever71
09/02/2008, 01:52 PM
I recently took over a 55Gal tank that has been running for about 2 yrs without any problems. Since moving it into it's new location (2 months ago) I have been having problems. It looks like it is snowing in the tank, there's a white powder starting to build up on the rocks. and now I've starting to what looks like green hair algae as well as these redish-pinkish growths on a couple of the rocks. The growths have these lighter bands of pink/red and orangish spots.

The changes I've made are...
-increased the lighting from about 50w to 130w (65w 11,000K + 65w Arctinic)
-removed Valenti Puffer and 2 Niger Triggers
-added 1 Percula, 1 Domino, and Blue Damsel (total fish count = 2 Perculas, 1 Chromis, 1 Domino, 1 Blue Damsel, and 1 Goby)
-added 3 Blue Leg hermit crabs
-added 1 Frogspawn, 1 Blue Snowflake, 1 Columna corals

Filteration:
Fluval 305 canister
Tunze 9005 skimmer
Aguaclear 50 PH with finishing filter

Chemistry:
PH - 8.2
Gravity - 1.024
Calcium - 450
Alk - 3.5
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 50 (has been this since the tank was 1 month old)

I do 10% water changes every 2 weeks.

One observation is that I notice every now and then the powerhead spewing out these particles. I have replaced the filter and thoroughly cleaned it but it didn't work.

Any ideas?

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj31/truebeliever71/090208Tank/IMGP0258.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj31/truebeliever71/090208Tank/IMGP0261.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj31/truebeliever71/090208Tank/IMGP0264.jpg

crvz
09/03/2008, 09:21 AM
are you dosing anything to the tank? I'd start by chasing down a solution to the nitrate issue, as that could be fueling the algae problems.

soulbereaver
09/03/2008, 09:53 AM
tagging along as I am having the "snow" effect as well... My tank is very new (2 1/2 weeks). I'm figuring the white powder stuff may be some kind of bactiria outbreak but not sure.

I would like to know more about the "snow" myself.

truebeliever71
09/03/2008, 10:49 AM
I'm dosing some trace elements and calcium for the coral... I also posted this on the fingerlakes reef forum and been some good feedback over there. I also just got back from my LFS... shown the owner some pics, explained the situation and took a water sample. He thinks the 'snow' might be plankton break out or a calcium deposits. He said that I need more filtration.

He also advised getting some Calpera(?) to help reduce the nitrates and to cut back on my lighting from 12 hrs to 8 hrs to help reduce the algae.

Mr. Brooks
09/03/2008, 10:58 AM
Take a look at this article and pay close attention to the marble analogy:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/calcalkmar.htm

What are you using to test your alk? I'd try a new test kit. Sounds like your "snow" problem may be alk/calcium related.