Cyano/Hair Algae - Again... Sorry
 

I know this is discussed a lot.

I tested phosphates and they read zero. My alk is low (about 6).

Shouild I start using Distilled water for my weekly changes? Usually just use RO.

My tank is absolutely nasty. Covered in the cyano and I have the hair growing all over the place.

I scrub it off when I do my weekly changes and it's right back.

Do you think it's the alk? Not sure why it's so low. I'm gonna start using only distilled water for a while. I have chemi pure in my canister filter all by itself. I don't feel like it's the phosphates though.

Lighting is Orbit Marine Pro on a 40B.

I use NO3PO4 almost daily as well which probably helps keep the phosphates down. I'm just not sure what to try.

thank you!

You should be using RODI water, not just RO. It should be deionized.

Not all 'distilled' advertised waters get the same treatment as RODI.

How new is this tank? How long has this been going on? What are all your parameters that you can test? Inhabitants? Corals?

Need pics..
Need more info..

Agree need to use RODI. Bring the water down to 0ppm

My tank is a year old. I'll get a pic. It's hideous looking, unless you like purple blankets of cyano all over.

I don't have an RODI System. Hopefully Distilled will work because I really don't want to mess with a RODI - don't they take a ton of water to get a good gallon?

I have a wide assortment of corals, birdsnest, torch, mushroom, cabbage leather, zoas, potato chip, clove polyps, gsp, duncan, candy cane. 2 clowns, 1 flame hawk, scooter blenny, starry blenny and I believe my firefish has died. Red serpent star, sand sifting star, couple feather dusters, RBTA and 2 rock anemones.

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You're not seeing any po4 on your tests because its being consumed by the cyano and algae What is your no3 at?
IF you can afford it a rodi system is a great investment for the health of your tank. RODI systems are usually a 1:4 ratio of good to waist but if you get a booster pump on it you can get closer to 1:1. rodi systems run better when you are able to run larger volumes of water. you can use a brute plastic garbage can to store 25gal at a time

It does look bad

TDS Meter?

I could not afford either but went with the Aquaticlife Buddie RODI, bare minimum
but works.

I don't like wasting water. The waste water I run to the washer, so I do a load of
laundry after it fills up and water plants.

Depending on the water pressure in your home, it can be up there... Mine is probably a 5:1 waste to water gained ratio, but I'm in a second floor with low water pressure. And I have the smallest aquaticlife buddy RODI. It works for me because of tank size.

I’ll check nitrates later today. Last time they were around 5.


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I agree with what most have said, distilled water isn't going to solve you issue. When I first started with a salt water tank many moons ago, I thought I could get away without using an RODI system.

I ended up having the same problem you're having right now, tons of algae and tons of cyano.

The only fix was to switch my water to RODI, I first started buying it from my LFS, if I remember correctly it was $3 for 5 gallons. If you can't afford an RODI unit right now or "don't want to mess with it" then I would investigate to see if your LFS sells RODI and go that route. I can guarantee you it will be better than distilled, I would buy 40 gallons and do a 100% water change then start doing 20% water changes a week there after. Over time you should start to see the cyano recede.

If it doesn't then there is something else at play such as over feeding or underpowered/lack of protein skimmer

I wish I had a LFS! I'm looking into RODI. I guess I have no choice because I can't continue to deal with this mess.

I have a protein skimmer. It's possible I overfeed.

Try using GFO and also I used "Algae Buster" (fluconazole) and it worked like a charm in 1 week.
Kind regards

As of 11/1, ReefHD has taken Algae Buster off the market. It will be re-branded as Reef Flux soon.

I'll look for that soon - however it won't solve my problem until I fix it. I used RedSlime remover and it worked but it's back with a vengeance. I also have that stuff called Vibrant but it doesn't seem to do anything.

You need an ro/di unit and do a 100% water change. Then stay on top on nitrate and phos levels.

adding chemicals is the wrong way to fix it.


if fresh water does not then try fluconazole

Right, I have a call in about a RO/DI unit. Wish I could get it locally but no clue where - the water I mean, not the unit.

Ordered a TDS meter.