New lights = new problems?

[jehudson]

Hey folks ... just added PC fixture and within 24 hours noticed a few little green bubbles on one of my top rocks (an area about the size of a quarter ... I'm not worried yet). I’m assuming its bubble algae. :mad: I’ve done some reading through the threads and it seems a phosban reactor, emerald crabs, water changes, reduction of photoperiod, wet-skimming and reduced feeding are viable cures for the problem (along with cautious removal). Is there any reason other than phosphate removal to use a phosban reactor? I basically get to add equipment at Christmas and after my birthday and don't want to add anything I don't need.

My tank is due for a water change and I'm going to do that ASAP. Everything is at zero except nitrates ... about 30 ppm. I'll probably do a water change today and again on Saturday to bring them down.

[erikharrison]

It sounds like the lights just uncovered a problem that was already there. You don't have to use a phosban reactor, you can filter sock it. I used it before I bought a phosphate kit, only to find out I didn't have a phosphate problem to begin with. Just keep up with your water changes. 10% weekly is easy. I usually do 15-20g per week and 35-40 per month. Just taking that extra time to do a slightly larger water change should help out dramatically. Also, if you have mechanical filtration (pads) in your wet/dry, clean it, along with about 1/2 to 3/4 of your bioballs, depending on how much live rock you have. I say that as not to shock the system if you remove and clean too much at once, but if you have enough LR, you should be fine.

[jehudson]

[quote=erikharrison;581131]It sounds like the lights just uncovered a problem that was already there.

I agree ... I was kinda half expecting to see all kinds of undesirable photosynthetic things pop up. I suppose of this little spot of Bubble algea is all I get than I should count my blessings.

I've got approximately 85 Lbs. live rock and I'm in the process of removing the bio-balls all together. I'm going to add about 30 Lbs. of dry rock as soon as I can but it'll all be there before all the B-Balls are out. I usually keep up the the water changes but didn't do one before I left for christmas vacation. that's what I get I suppose:angry:. It's also time to change the blue pads.

[Bill S]

As Erik said, clean your pads regularly - once a week at least. That will physically remove organics from your system so you don't have to handle them either biologically or with water changes.

You MAY be able to handle the bubble algae mechanically. However, be careful as if you burst them, they can spread. An emerald crab is a good choice for eating them.

[copperband]

if your looking for liverock go to the for sale and trade forum ratboy is selling live rock with no color for 1$ a pound and colored liverock for 2$ a pound

[erikharrison]

You may want to put a small clean up crew inside of the wet/dry if possible. Just cover the return with the inside of some swim trunks, that mesh works great.

[jehudson]

wow ... great tips ... I never would have thought of the swim-trunks idea. I'll check out the LR ... we'll see if there's any left when I get my paycheck:)

[bluewalk20]

hi all you really need are emerald crabs to eat the bubble algae i bought a rock 12 inch long with the bubble algae and the emaerald crabs at all the algae in less than one day and i have had the tank for two years and the algae never grew back don't worry don't buy all this other stuff for bubble algae i bet you me tank the crabs will take care of it no problem at all

[erikharrison]

wow ... great tips ... I never would have thought of the swim-trunks idea. I'll check out the LR ... we'll see if there's any left when I get my paycheck:)

Funny thing was, we were at the coast and I bought some new trunks. I HATE the mesh inside of them so I cut them out. I looked at that mesh and said to myself "I will at some point use that in my tank, ha. I also wad it up and rub it on the glass to clean the algae off. Works great with a bit of elbow grease. My tank has a bunch of scratches, so I can't really use a scraper without further damaging the glass.