Need Help.

[drillsar]

I have been battling Hair Algae and went to my LFS to check my water.

The tank is a 10 gallon

By the way im using distilled water, he said I should not use that as it may contain copper, is that true?

Alk 5 dkh, My test kit 6 dkh

Calcium 500, my test kit same (I dont add caclium so wondering why so high)

Ph said to be at 7.0, I dont have PH kit so cant confirm, maybe I should get one

Nitrates LFS 5 ppm, my kit same

Phosphates 0, my kit same

Using Instant Ocean, He recommended I should use reef crystals instead

To increase Alk to 9 dkh, using bulk reef supply calculator, how much should I add at a time, i'm thinking like 1 oz per day.

What will make alk so low though?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Depends on what you have in the tank depleting alk. Distilled water is fine, RODI is best. You're definitely getting false readings on the phosphates. The hair algae is using it up to fuel growth. Start running some GFO.

[Painted skin]

By the way im using distilled water, he said I should not use that as it may contain copper, is that true?



Using Instant Ocean, He recommended I should use reef crystals instead



Copper in distill? If it functioning like it should contaminants should be left behind.


http://www.aquaonetech.com/water_di1+.html


IO is fine, but RC IO is better if you have reef.

[Sk8r]

Malfunction is known: in Oklahoma, there was a situation with drip from a misaligned hood. The one thing they want to get out of distilled is calcium, with which our tanks have no problem, but steam irons do.
If your supermarket has a kiosk for RO water, go for that.


Phosphate reduction will ultimately stop hair algae.

[drillsar]

I added a gfo/carbon reactor to my tank about a month ago

[mikeyVR4]

Its your Alkalinity. Its way too low. Bump it up.

Your pH is out of whack also.

Lastly, use RO/DI

[Shifty27]

The hair algae could also be caused by your lighting.

[drillsar]

yes adding Soda Ash to tank. So low ALk will cause algae?

[disc1]

yes adding Soda Ash to tank. So low ALk will cause algae?

Not really, it is just another unrelated problem you have here.

[drillsar]

ok which RO/DI? Typhoon from Air water and ice? or http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFURBISHED/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

[Painted skin]

ok which RO/DI? Typhoon from Air water and ice? or http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFURBISHED/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System


I would also look for ones that has TDS for in and out. That's just my preference.