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gueretma
10/08/2008, 06:59 AM
Hi Everyone,

I've had my tank running for 5 weeks now. I am pretty sure it already cycled.. back in week 2. I am having an algae problem, i added 20 hermit crabs a couple weeks ago but the algae is not going away. The light schedule:

8 hours (metal halides) 12pm - 8pm
12 hours (atinics) 10am - 10pm
12 hours (moons) 10pm - 10am

now i have a protein skimmer that im not sure is working.. there is no foam. i moved the skimmer from the back of the tank to the sump last night and i emtied the water in it. when i hooked it up it started foaming right away then it disapeared and no more foam.

i have 2 clowns, 2 damsels, 1 blue throat trigger (just got him last saturday)

my water params are perfect.

i will put pictures below.. first time doing this so i hope it turns out.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539algae_1.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539algae_3.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539whole_tank_night.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539whole_tank_day.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539sump.JPG

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/202539sump_0.JPG

WaterKeeper
10/08/2008, 07:12 AM
The algae outbreak is normal for any new tank and can last for several weeks, especially if you cured your rock in the display. The remedy is to change lots of water frequently. I do weekly water changes of at least 25% until it starts to decline.

During the curing period the rock releases tons of nutrient that enter the water column and until they are gone the algae will thrive.

gueretma
10/08/2008, 07:15 AM
Thanks WaterKeeper.. any thoughts on the protein skimmer not producing any foam?

WaterKeeper
10/08/2008, 07:21 AM
Sure, it can take some time for protein to build up in the tank and the skimmer itself tends to need a breakin period before collection improves.

kzickovich
10/08/2008, 07:32 AM
what kind of skimmer is it?

gueretma
10/08/2008, 07:42 AM
RedSea Berlin x2 Turbo Skimmer
Web Site (http://www.redseafish.com/berlin.asp)