[dantj99]

Okay, went out of town for a few days for the weekend. I checked all my levels, everything was okay. Came home a few days later, there is green hair alge growing on all my powerheads and filter intakes. There really isn't any growing on the rock, just the equipment. What could have caused this outbreaK? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[hjmtv]

How do you control your lighting? Were the lights on the whole time you were gone? Possible cause.

 

[Mike]

did you have someone feed the tank for you? if so did they overfeed it?

The lights are incidental to algea esp hair algea. you can turn off the lights forever but if you have a nutrient imbalance your gonna have algea.

I am looking for a test kit right now to test for complete nitrates. When R/C come back up I am going to ask Randy Holmes - Farley

 

[dantj99]

Lights are on timers. I have 2 175 watt-10k mettal halids. also I have two PC atinics going. They are on for about 8 hrs. I left the food prepared for him to feed, so there was no overfeeding. All my levels are were they should be.

Dan

 

[dantj99]

Could I need new lights bulbs?

 

[hjmtv]

Probably not. Are you missing any fish? If there was a unusual level of nutrients (something died) coupled with extra lighting you could have had an outbreak.

 

[Mike]

How old are the lights?

Still though you need nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate for algea to grow.

Your levels probably are fine. But thats because the organics are being used to fuel the algea.

How old are you R/O membranes?
When was the last water change?
Do you have a DSB? if so is the rock sitting on it directly?
What prepared food are you using? Are you draining off the packaging liquids after it thaws?
Are you using a skimmer?

 

[Mike]

I would recommend reading the August 2003 edition of FAMA if you can get your hands on it. There is a great article in their by Bob Goemans about algea control in a the reef tank. Made me re-examine my tank set up practices.