Algae Help

[ETBReefer05]

Hey guys,
I think my tank has entered the "Algae" phase of my cycling and I'd like to get a quick ID on this algae, and any advice on Managing it (I know I can't completely get rid of it right away). So far I've been grabbing it by hand, but it grows back the next day.

Parameters:
Salinity:1.0245
Ammonia:0
Nitrites:0
Nitrate:<10

I haven't tested for any other chemicals, so perhaps my phosphate is high. I think I'll take a water sample to the LFS tomorrow.

[XSiVE]

How long do you run your lights?

will help:

snails

get your alkalinity and calcium up to 8+ and 350+ respectively

time

[adalius]

Looks like dinos to me, because of the bubbles. Little too long/stringy for diatoms.

[EMUreef]

Looks like dinos to me, because of the bubbles. Little too long/stringy for diatoms.

the bubbles and stringiness are a dead give away to the Dino's so i agree with adalius.

Its a pain to get rid of so your in for one heck of a ride.

Usually its a sign of high phosophates, mine was due to metal poisining the tank.

Most people say that High PH will kill it, also try blacking out the tank for a couple days if you can, the coral should be able to handle it for a few days.

I would hit up RC and search for dino's and see what other people have done.

Its a very bad nucisance algae, mine was growing on everything, even coral. it was not good.

[ETBReefer05]

My lights are currently on a 10 hour cycle, I will try lights out for a few days as I don't have any high demand corals. My skimmer has been dead for the past week and I just bought a new one today, so maybe that will help too. Has anyone tried the sugar dosing method? Is it a high risk/reward thing?

[EMUreef]

My lights are currently on a 10 hour cycle, I will try lights out for a few days as I don't have any high demand corals. My skimmer has been dead for the past week and I just bought a new one today, so maybe that will help too. Has anyone tried the sugar dosing method? Is it a high risk/reward thing?

I dont think phosophates arn't a product of bad skimming or anything but i could be wrong, its from bad water. Either a bad cartridge in your RO/DI or using tap water.

[XSiVE]

I dont think phosophates arn't a product of bad skimming or anything but i could be wrong, its from bad water. Either a bad cartridge in your RO/DI or using tap water.

If the skimmer isnt on, it's not pulling dissolved organics out of the water, a skimmer can help lower phosphates/nitrates that are suspended in compounds large enough to be skimmed. If those compounds are not skimmed, they will can break down and release those phosphates and nitrates back into the water.

[EMUreef]

from what i understand about phosphates, skimmers don't remove phosphates thats why we have phosguard and GFO reactors, they specifically remove phosphates from the water.

his problem might be from his water that he uses, the fact that he has no skimmer might mean a little, i've seen some skimmerless systems run and not have Dino's.

[XSiVE]

from what i understand about phosphates, skimmers don't remove phosphates thats why we have phosguard and GFO reactors, they specifically remove phosphates from the water.

his problem might be from his water that he uses, the fact that he has no skimmer might mean a little, i've seen some skimmerless systems run and not have Dino's.

Oh I know a skimmer wont pull phosphates directly out of the water, but if they are in something can can be skimmed, and its not getting skimmed, that thing will break down and let them into the water.

I wasnt saying your idea about his water source was at all off, I was just giving my input on what else could be contributing to the issue

[ETBReefer05]

My aquarium water is store bought RO/DI (either from the grocery store of LFS depending on which is handier). I don't know about the grocery store, but I trust the LFS since the employees use that water for their livestock as well. the only way I could have introduced bad water into the tank is A) Previous owner used tap water for freshwater tank and I didn't use a vinegar bath...just rinsed with more tap water then the residue introduced pollutants. B) I rinsed some of my equipment with tapwater when I got it out of the boxes brand new.