algae

[swann294]

Hello everyone. I have 180gal mix reef and i just upgraded my lighting to 2-80watt t5 giesemann midday with 2-80watt giesemann pure actinic both sets are 60inch. In addition, I have 2- 250w halides. Prior to the upgrade, I had 2-250watt halides, along with 35w compacts with 10k actinics. With that system, my lighting was very smooth with little algae blooms. With the new setup my tank algae growth has increase greatly, my glass is filled with green algae. Can someone point me in the right direction... Thanks

[thegrun]

What are your water parameters (Phosphates, Nitrates, Alkalinity) and lighting durations?

[swann294]

phos-0
alk- high
nitrate-20

25gal weekly water change. Halides stay on from 12n-5pm the t5's run for 12hrs.

[bertoni]

I suspect that reducing the feeding is probably the first step. Sometimes, a better skimmer can help. Other common approaches are running a GFO reactor or growing and harvesting a macroalga.

[swann294]

Running Top Phantom 200A Skimmer. My nitrate level has been 20 for over a yr. I have a 180gal mix tank. Any suggestions on better skimmer. About 4-5months ago, I spilled large bottle of pellet food in my tank, and for 2-3 days, my skimmer worked great, it lowered my nitrate level to zero, but shortly after that the nitrate levels elevated and finally stabilized at 20.

[bertoni]

I don't know anything about skimmers for that size tank, so I can't help there. There are lots of people who post in the equipment forum who have more experience than I do.

I suspect that the system is getting more food than the live rock can process, thus producing the nitrate. You could consider reducing feeding. Another approach that I forgot to mention is carbon dosing.

[swann294]

Okay, carbon dosing meaning? I'm new 101, I do use activated carbon in my sump. I will consider reducing my feedings, what is a GFO reactor is that necessary? I feed tankmates 1-2x daily and i change 25gal h2o weekly. Again, what is carbon dosing and will that lower my nitrate?

[bertoni]

Carbon dosing usually takes the form of adding small amounts of vodka or vinegar to the tank. The vodka acts as food for bacterial, which consume nutrients, and turns them into a skimmable form. Both phosphate and nitrate can be removed that way. There's an article somewhere at Reefkeeping.com.

GFO is granular ferric oxide/hydroxide, and is a chemical media that binds phosphate. It's much like activated carbon, only more specific in its purpose.

How much food is going into the system?

[swann294]

Well i only sprinke small amounts of food each feeding. How much vinegar/vodka to dose and what types. The product GFO is readily available? Like i said earlier my nitrates has been 20 for sometime. Thanks for your input....

[bertoni]

There are lots of GFO products. I think the BulkReefSupply products are popular, and I've used PhosBan and Phosphate Killer successfully. I'd start with that. Carbon dosing is a bit more risky. This article might help:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php

[bertoni]

I'd probably cut back on the food, as well.