Coral and anemone problems

How is the AoG frag doin Siber?

I have some red algae growing on some spots in aquarium just a few spots. Is this a bad sign??

Puffdaddy wrote: I have some red algae growing on some spots in aquarium just a few spots. Is this a bad sign??

Is it leafy or slimey?

Slimey it's on the top of a dead coral

Cyano Algae most likely. Google it and let us know if that's it.

Very common for a young tank. After the cyano passes, you'll likely get green hair algae. From what I've read it's almost unavoidable.

[img][/img]

I think it is cyano. Seems right

Definately Cyano, its not an algae but rather a bacteria. The Cyano usually comes from to high phosphates, silicates and nutients and not enough current and is most likely coming from bad water, for instance useing tap water and water conditioners instead of ro-di water. If it is mostly on that dead coral skeleton I would take it out, sometime Cyano will feed on the trace remains of that coral or even a dirty skeleton from elsewhere, anywhere it can get its fertilizer so to speak. Cyano bacteria is not just a new tank syndrome like diatoms, Cyano comes from a condition that needs to be corrected and if left unchecked it can and most likely will take over your whole tank until it has nothing else to feed on, namely nutrients. Syphoning it out on water changes is a help, you can also get chemical remedies if you trust putting chemicals in the tank. Cyano grows best in low oxygen areas so if you can beef up the flow in the tank it will help considerably. I do have one question though, are you useing ro-di water you make yourself? from somewhere else? or are you useing tap water? What are your tank parameters like SG, PH, ALK, Calcium,Magnesium and temp, Cyano likes higher temps too.

Temp is 77 to 78 I think. Started using RO water as of about a month ago. Got an rodi unit. Ordered water testing kit just waiting in it to come in. Will post parameters as soon as I can. Thanks

Grimreefer wrote:How is the AoG frag doin Siber?

5 polyps and counting.

Those brownish/greenish ones have a kick. I moved them the other day and my finger was numb for about 30 minutes. Might put the gloves on next time.

Are phosphates and silicates the same? Besides a aquarium pharmeceauticals reef master testing kit, is there any other test kits I need to purchase for my reef tank?

Phosphates and silicates are not the same. The main thing you need to know is that phosphates fuel algae growth, and silicates fuel diatom blooms. If you're having an algae problem, it's a nitrate/phosphate issue. If you're having diatom blooms, you're having a silicate issue. If you have a silicate issue it's because you're not using RO/DI water, or your DI resin is all used up and allowing silicates through. Most people will never test for it because they know if they have a diatom bloom, to change their DI resin.

I test for ammonia and nitrite when checking for a cycle or if anything would really seem off.

My regular testing is temp (daily), salinity (twice a week before water changes), nitrate, phosphate, pH, Alk, & Calcium occasionally. Once a week when my tank was younger... less often now.

Are ph and alkalinity two different things

The tes kit I am getting just tests for nitrates, carbonate hardness, phosphates and calcium. Are there any separate test kits I need to purchase to get a good parameter reading to figure out why I am having this cyano and hair algae problem?

Nitrates and phosphates fuel algae growth. It's likely that they will test 0 though...since it's being used to grow the algae.

So if they will be testing zero then what do I need to do? I have been doing like 5% water changes weekly. Doing next one in a few min.

What filtering do you have setup in the aquarium? We already determined that you likely need some better flow (low flow will cause buildup of solids on rock surfaces and down in the holes). What skimmer are you running on the tank?

What is your typical feeding schedule? Are you using RO/DI water for your water changes or treated tap water? Are you running a sump with an overflow? Hang on back equipment? We'll figure it out!

I just have two water fall filters, I will get new ones if If u think I need something else. I am ordering a 750 gph hydra koralia evol. Pump just one do I need more? I am running a skimmer that I bought of aqua traders.com for 40.00. It creates a pretty good half cup full over a couple days. I feed flake food once in the evening a few small pinches. I every 3-4 days feed clam pieces/mysis shrimp to larger corals and new anemone and filter feed flame scallop and feather dusters with marine snow. I run RODI water every water change. I have no sump yet didn't know if it would be necessary or not but any recommendations or help would be wonderful.

I have a freshwater testing kit and I tested ph 8.2-8.3, ammonia 0-0.25, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0 to 10 but looks closer to 5 I think.

I would grab a few "two little fishes" reactors (or a NextReef Shorty) and run some chemi-pure elite and purigen. I seriously believe in that stuff! I'd also try to find more about your protein skimmer.

Also, I'd move feeding to every other day and meaty foods to once per week. I've never tried marine snow, but personally I think blowing off your rockwork with a powerhead or turkey baster feeds filter feeders plenty! Lol.

matt_longview wrote:I would grab a few "two little fishes" reactors (or a NextReef Shorty) and run some chemi-pure elite and purigen. I seriously believe in that stuff! I'd also try to find more about your protein skimmer.

Also, I'd move feeding to every other day and meaty foods to once per week. I've never tried marine snow, but personally I think blowing off your rockwork with a powerhead or turkey baster feeds filter feeders plenty! Lol.

I agree with Matt on this especially the part about chemipure elite and cut the feeding in half at least. The food is definitely adding to your problem. I feed my fish every other day and the predator corals about once, maybe twice a week and a little bit at that. The marine snow is a big cause of nitrates when not used correctly, I would not suggest you use it. I don't feed my photosynthetic corals at all just the juice from feeding my fish frozen Myasis.

The cyan I was talking about earlier is really starting to show up everywhere

I meant cyano red algae stuff, do I try to blow it off or what should I do.

Salinity is 1.027 what does it need to be?