Hair algae only in frag tank?

[EMUreef]

alright so i plumbed in a 20g frag tank into my main system. Run a quite one 3000 return on it and a koralia 1050 as flow.

what i can't figure out is why HA is only growing in my frag tank and not my display?!?! and its only growing on the frags....

the only thing i can think of is maybe the bulbs are bad? but they shouldn't be that old...any ideas?

im getting sick of taking frags out and brushing them with a tooth brush to remove the algae growing over the plugs....

[MUCHO REEF]

How long ago did you plumb the frag tank to the main?

What type of lights are on the frag tank?

How old are the bulbs on the frag tank?

Describe the algae, pics if possible?

Do you have an adequate clean up crew?

If so, list what you currently have?


Mucho Reef

[larryandlaura]

! Its gotta be the bulbs or lack of cuc.

[EMUreef]

How long ago did you plumb the frag tank to the main?

What type of lights are on the frag tank?

How old are the bulbs on the frag tank?

Describe the algae, pics if possible?

Do you have an adequate clean up crew?

If so, list what you currently have?


Mucho Reef

What type of lights are on the frag tank? 4 bulb t5, DIY style

How old are the bulbs on the frag tank? i dunno how old they are bought the setup from a guy said they were only used 6 months, and i've only had the tank set up about a month maybe.

Describe the algae, pics if possible? green, hair algae type.

Do you have an adequate clean up crew? no real cleanup to speak of.....atleast in the frag tank. its barebottom. does a clean up crew matter when im not feeding the tank at all?

If so, list what you currently have?

[Manoj's Reef]

I am in the same boat. My display as none but my frag tank does. I tried changing the bulbs but it did not do anything. I cant tell why.

Before. I also have cyno in my display but I had no cyno in my frag tank. - I have not figured out till date why.

[MUCHO REEF]

And what's the K value on those bulbs? I have an idea already what they are..

What's the photoperiod on the frag tank as well?

[EMUreef]

And what's the K value on those bulbs? I have an idea already what they are..

What's the photoperiod on the frag tank as well?

12:30-9:30...as far as the k value ill report back soon....

[EMUreef]

bulbs are 2 icecap twilight bulbs, 1 10k and 1 blue +

on a workhorse 5 ballast.

[ScottCRRT]

Seems like a common problem then. I have the exact same issue going on. I also have a bare bottom frag tank hooked into my main display. I have a 6- line wrasse in there, along with maybe 4 or 5 snails, and like 5 blue leg hermits. I have a 250 mh with a XM 20k though.thinking of getting more clean up crew.

[MUCHO REEF]

Sorry for all the questions, but MOST every tank related issue can be resolved through a process of elimination.

Forgot to ask, are you running a skimmer? Yep, even though the systems are linked and you're only having algae issues in one, I want to know if you are running a skimmer?

I think I know what your problem is, but instead of typing a book, I want to try and find something I read on line a year ago which says the exact same thing. Back soon.

[EMUreef]

Sorry for all the questions, but MOST every tank related issue can be resolved through a process of elimination.

Forgot to ask, are you running a skimmer? Yep, even though the systems are linked and you're only having algae issues in one, I want to know if you are running a skimmer?

I think I know what your problem is, but instead of typing a book, I want to try and find something I read on line a year ago which says the exact same thing. Back soon.

yes swc 200, 90g display with a 50b sump, 20b frag tank.
gfo and carbon.

[MUCHO REEF]

If you had algae in both tanks, I'd be inclined to say you have a nutrient export issue, but in your case, I doubt it. I truly believe it is your bulbs as they could very well have exceeded their effectiveness and are now contributing to your issue. I'd replace them ASAP but one at a time. Changing them both at the same time could possibly cause polyp retraction or possible bleaching/color shift.

Also, prepare a well aerated 30 % water change.

Even without a sand bed, you need a clean up screw including snails. These scavengers ( crabs and snails ) are warranted in any system as they clean and scavenge 24/7.

Limit your external feedings which can contribute to excess nutrient build up.

Make sure you're always running a good quality of activated carbon and change it accordingly.

Check your Phosphates and Nitrates with a good quality test kit.

I'm sure you are avoiding tap water as it could be loaded with silicates which will also contribute to algae blooms in aquaria.

Protien skimming is great in exporting high levels of nutrients.

Is your internal current adequately sweeping any ditritus out of your system?

One of the books which I keep on my desk since it was released is, "Algae, A Problem Solver Guide, by Julian Sprung." If I were each of you, I'd pick it up. I have read it at least 20 times and still refer to it when the need arises. It has everything you need to know about algae, problem solving, scavengers, fish etc, you name it, it's a must have for every reefer I think.

I am still trying to find the article to share with the other reefers here with this same issue. I rather post it for all to see as it is an outstanding article which explains at lenght everything I want to say but too lazy right now to type.


Back soon.

Mooch

PS, sorry to go overboard even though I think your issue is limited to your bulbs. Then again, I could be completely wrong.

[MUCHO REEF]

Bingo, found it. It's one of the best and most informative articles for a tank related issue I've read. I hope this helps the other reefers as well with their issues. If not, lets break it down and try to find out the root cause of your algae bloom collectively.

How to Prevent Algae in Aquarium Systems by Daniel S., MarineDepot.com Reef Squad (http://kb.marinedepot.com/article.aspx?id=11104)

I wish we had more discussions like this here on CR.

Good luck guys, hope something I said helps

Mucho Reef


PS. My apologies if I broke a rule in posting the above link from another sight.

[EMUreef]

Im gonna go with the bulbs too. I did have a cyano problem in my display but its actually going away daily. had my phospates tested the other day and they were 0. so i have a feeling its not my nutrients.

but when i get money its gonna go towards bulbs and some CUC.

[MyNemesis]

Add another to the list! I have a 120 gallon display tank, 50 gallon sump/refugium and a 25 gallon frag tank. The frag tank is plumbed into the main system. Same type of T5 bulbs, same age, same distance from the water, same distance from the corals. I have about ten large snails in the frag tank to try to stay on top of the algae. Run Rowa Phos and carbon. I have good circulation in the frag tank but it certainly isn't the same as the display tank. I believe the problem is related to the fact that my return pump to the frag tank is located in the return portion of the sump and sends detritus and other stuff a little bit at a time into the frag tank and has a tendancy to build up in the bottom of the frag tank that is bare bottom. When I clean the frag tank, I get a fair amount of stuff out of it. At some point I will be getting a better return pump that I can filter the intake back to the frag tank. Only a theory at this point, but it is my best guess.

[MUCHO REEF]

""Im gonna go with the bulbs too. I did have a cyano problem in my display but its actually going away daily. had my phospates tested the other day and they were 0. so i have a feeling its not my nutrients.

but when i get money its gonna go towards bulbs and some CUC. "



AWESOME :thumbsup:

[MizTanks]

It's the plugs! Hands down :) Get a turbo snail...cleaned my tank up within a week.

[MUCHO REEF]

YOU HAVE PLUGS ???? Guess I should have ask...I agree with Miz, it could very well be those plugs if that is indeed what you have. Could still very well be the lights. One easy test, place a few plugs in your main reef and see what happens.

[larryandlaura]

Man there is some great info here.

[EMUreef]

not plugs cause i haven't made new frags since the tank has been up and running, all the zoa's i have in there have come from my nano, where they had been for many months.

and when i do use plugs i soak them.

[jimsflies]

Frag plugs and eggcrate likely contain phosphates...or something else that seems to be a spot that algae likes to grow. I had this issue with racks and plugs when I've had them in my display.

[EMUreef]

not using eggcrate.

[jimsflies]

What are you using? Just rocks on the sand or bottom?

[EMUreef]

eshopps mag frag racks for right now, untill i can get money to get a blue glow.

[jimsflies]

My guess is that "plastic" in general has phosphates in some usable form and algae finds it.

[MUCHO REEF]

If that is true, and it is unstable, then it would leach into the water column and affect the entire system and the algae would prolifertae in both tanks. Just a thought.

[schminksbro]

I would be very interested in seeing a picture of the algae. I would suspect that what you have is Bryopsis and none of the above information although well intended will cure the problem. Bryopsis is often mistaken for hair algae and is the most common found growing on plugs in frag tanks such as yours. Especially in the event it is growing in your frag tank only. Bryopsis can grow at very low nutrient level so starving it out can be very difficult. However there is a simple and easy fool proof method for eliminating it. Please post a pic of the algae and we can cure your problem quite quickly, easily and with very little expense.
It is also worth noting that if your using ceramic frag plugs they are not the problem. They simply provide a suitable substrate for the algae to adhere to. Live rock would also provide the same suitable substrate. The acrylic racks are not the problem either. Some agrocrete plugs may cause issues but that is another discussion.

[EMUreef]

I would be very interested in seeing a picture of the algae. I would suspect that what you have is Bryopsis and none of the above information although well intended will cure the problem. Bryopsis is often mistaken for hair algae and is the most common found growing on plugs in frag tanks such as yours. Especially in the event it is growing in your frag tank only. Bryopsis can grow at very low nutrient level so starving it out can be very difficult. However there is a simple and easy fool proof method for eliminating it. Please post a pic of the algae and we can cure your problem.

i didn't any pics of it and have already cleaned it off of my frag plugs.... if it comes back ill take pictures of it.

what is the solution for bryopsis? i heard higher mag makes it go away.

[schminksbro]

Bryopsis has a "feathery" appearance while Green Hair Algae has a "hairy" appearance. Raising you magnesium levels to 1500ppm with Kent Tech M magnesium supplement will eliminate bryopsis very quickly. The bryopsis will simply die off. You can then return the mag level back to 1250-1280. Once eliminated the bryopsis will not come back unless you reintroduce it.
If it is truly hair algae then you must eliminate phosphate. I seriously doubt this is the problem due to the fact the algae doesn't occur in the display. A phosphate test kit is useless in the case of hair algae also due to the fact that the algae will bind the PO4 and make it undectable for a hobby grade test kit.

i didn't any pics of it and have already cleaned it off of my frag plugs.... if it comes back ill take pictures of it.

what is the solution for bryopsis? i heard higher mag makes it go away.

[MUCHO REEF]

alright so i plumbed in a 20g frag tank into my main system. Run a quite one 3000 return on it and a koralia 1050 as flow.

what i can't figure out is why HA is only growing in my frag tank and not my display?!?! and its only growing on the frags....

the only thing i can think of is maybe the bulbs are bad? but they shouldn't be that old...any ideas?

im getting sick of taking frags out and brushing them with a tooth brush to remove the algae growing over the plugs....


Forgot to ask you, how long ago did the bloom began?

Changing those bulbs won't hurt regardless of your issue, just be sure to change one at a time.

If you can, I'd grab that book I mentioned.

If indeed you do have Bryopsis, you will also possibly have elevated levels of Ammonia and Nitrites. Have you checked those levels? If the main is a mature system, you shouldn't have these high readings.

According to J. Sprung, this type of algae is not highly palatable for most herbivore fish, with the exception of maybe the Rabbitfish. It is however palatable for Diadema and Tuxedo Urchins, Sea Slugs and Mithraculus crabs. He also recommend strong biological filtration which will deter it's growth.

Good luck with whatever you do and I'm sure it will work out for you.


Mucho Reef

[MUCHO REEF]

It's the plugs! Hands down :) Get a turbo snail...cleaned my tank up within a week.



I agree Miz, turbos are always good to have, :thumbsup:

---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 PM ----------


I am in the same boat. My display as none but my frag tank does. I tried changing the bulbs but it did not do anything. I cant tell why.

Before. I also have cyno in my display but I had no cyno in my frag tank. - I have not figured out till date why.

How long have you had it?

[Manoj's Reef]

I agree Miz, turbos are always good to have, :thumbsup:

---------- Post added at 11:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 PM ----------



How long have you had it?

They Byropsis has been like that for almost 8-10 months now. The cyno is on and off for about about the same amount of time.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[jimsflies]

If that is true, and it is unstable, then it would leach into the water column and affect the entire system and the algae would proliferate in both tanks. Just a thought.

Good point and one I have previously thought about.

I think the new eggcrate provides a "perfect" environment/situation for algae (hair/bryopsis/bubble/etc) to get established. First it has a tendency to "catch" any loose algae in its squares, plus given the fact that the eggcrate is uncolonized by anything else, algae is able to quickly out compete coralline algae other more desirable species. The fact that it may be a low concentration source of phosphate or other algae-friendly contaminant is a bonus for algae production.

BeakerBob also has previously mentioned phthalates (a component of plasticizer) maybe another contaminant that is attracting the algae. A google search reveals many studies have been performed regarding phthalates and algae indicating there is a relationship between the two.

[Manoj's Reef]

Good point and one I have previously thought about.

I think the new eggcrate provides a "perfect" environment/situation for algae (hair/bryopsis/bubble/etc) to get established. First it has a tendency to "catch" any loose algae in its squares, plus given the fact that the eggcrate is uncolonized by anything else, algae is able to quickly out compete coralline algae other more desirable species. The fact that is may be a low concentration source of phosphate or other algae-friendly contaminant is a bonus for algae production.


I think this might be part of my problem.

[EMUreef]

here is what im dealing with.

HA? Bryopsis?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3I7SSj-waBE/Tlq1jkPEtlI/AAAAAAAAAIg/c1egMjnfHxo/s800/IMAG0118.jpg