algae on sock in fuge

[morgan175]

I use a 200 micron sock on my return to filter the water. I am getting two days out of it before it gets clogged and have to change. Well noticed today algae growing on outside of filter sock looks like hair algae then matts up pretty good. It is in patches of the size of a quarter and about 5 of them. Is this a normal thing or should I be worried. Tank has been ruining for a year.

[morgan175]

Bump

[Sugar Magnolia]

How often are you cleaning them and with what?

[morgan175]

Rotate 6. Put in bleach and water until I use 5. Then I put in washer and with extra rinse.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Okay, next questions...do you run any GFO? What are your params for nitrates and phosphates?

[morgan175]

Yes to gfo and will run tests tonight.

[morgan175]

Ok. Please don't make fun. Not sure I got the best tests to tell you
Salinity 1.023
Temp 78.9
Ph 8.2 seachem test
Phosphate. 02 Hanna checker
calcium 526 Hanna checker
Here is where it gets bad
Alkalinity it took 5 drops to turn yellow so I don't know. Seachem
no2 it never really got pink or anything so low. Seachem
No3 same thing never really changed Colorado. Seachem


Run 2 little fish as my gfo.

[nlgill13]

You have some phosphate which means algae has something to feed itself on. When did you last change your gfo?

Also, unrelated to the algae, your calcium is way high. However, I have heard that hanna calcium checkers are somewhat unreliable and difficult to use properly. You might want to get a secondary test kit to see if this last statement is true or not.

[morgan175]

Could the calcium be from using aquavitro salinity. The gfo was changed last week. My tank ran for about a year with no maintenance except top off. Did a 25 gallon change yesterday.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Running for a year with nothing but top offs is the problem. Your rocks and sand are loaded with excess nutrients which will leach phosphates and nitrates. I'm surprised you don't have nuisance algae in the the tank yet.

Bump your water changes to 10 to 20% weekly.

Are you using rodi water?

[morgan175]

Yes and your right I am having a problem with cyano on rocks just turn lights off. I am changing bulbs
To. I have double ended halide had 10000 going to 14000 the power compacts I don't know what to chkange to. There are to and theyare atintics but they will show a really blue look. Not sure if that is what I want.

[Derrick12]

All these additives. Best defense for basic aquarium problems is regular water changes

[morgan175]

Could I do a water change every 4 days to help out and get through this quicker. What should I do about my power compacts. What should I change to with the 14000 halide bulbs.