Meeting

[jvl1974]

I just wanted to say that I enjoyed our first meeting. It was good to converse with others with same the same interest. At the moment, my 55g aquarium is of fish only and about 1 1/2 years old, but I'm wanting to start next with some soft corals. Saltwater fish is all I know, but am limited with knowledge of corals and hope to have some feedback/advice with soft corals. My 55g is stocked with the following; (1)Yellowstripe Maroon Clownfish, (1) Bicolor Blenny, (2) Green Chromis, (2) Firefish Gobys, (1) Yellowtail Damsel, and (1) Auriga Butterflyfish. One problem I've been encountered recently is algae. I'm not sure what's going on. I have my Compact Lights on no more than 5 hours a day. If anybody has any ideas or suggestions, I'll gladly take them.

[don-n-sa]

Have you ever changed the bulbs?

[jvl1974]

No I haven't changed them. They are less than a year old.

[don-n-sa]

Depending on usage, power compacts last between 8-10 months but I change mine around 6 months when I start seeing a little algae.

There are many factors that could be the source of your algae bloom. Give us some more detailed info on your set up.

Also, do you have a good test kit? If so can you list you parameters.

[don-n-sa]

BTW


Welcome to MAAST!

[GaryP]

Cutting back light is rarely effective in controlling algae. The biggest issue is usually water chemistry, particularly excess nutrients such as nitrate and especially phosphate. Old bulbs can also contribute.

[gjuarez]

I have to agree with Gary 100%. Keeping the phosphates down can be achieved with Rowaphos or Phosban. Decreasing phosphates slowly will help in reducing the algae. As far as nitrates, a couple of members were talking about getting refugiums, which I believe will work great. I would start doing small weekly water changes with RO DI water. Do you use RO or tap water?

[jvl1974]

I always use RO water. My test kit is rarley used. The first few months with my aquarium I was all gung ho about keeping track of the parameters, yet I kept on having fish die on me. My wifes cousin, who has had a saltwater aquarium for years kept on advising me to leave my tank alone. The less I mess with it, the better. I listened, and slowly I started having less fish loss. Now, I just do a 10%-15% water change every 3 or 4 months. I'm already due for another. I'll try changing bulbs, just don't like the fact of changing $60 bulbs every 6 months. But if I it works, then I won't have a problem with it. My system is a simple set-up. I have a canister filter and a protein skimmer. Every few days I'll add supplements (C-Balance Part A & B), once a week I'll add trace elements, and I have a No. 58 block. I just hope this is enough for a fish only tank, but I wonder if it will be ok for when I start adding softies?

[DeAngelove]

Try adding some macro algae and or mangrove pods. They should help you reduce your nitrates & phosphates tremendously.

Welcome to MAAST!

[scuba_steveo]

Before I get on you, and I am, WELCOME TO MAAST!!! I think you are in the same boat I was once in. I started out listening to one person who I thought knew about saltwater aquariums and I did not know about maast or any other online forums. Well this guy told me I could do a bunch of stuff inside my 37 gallon eclipse w/o a skimmer and more powerful lights. Long story short, I lost a lot of fish, corals, and money. But then I found maast and you have too so there is help! Now I need to get on you.

My test kit is rarely used.

That is very bad. I do not test all the time but you should test all parameters at least monthly and when you see something is acting up. Not one person on this site can help you if we do not know more about you system and your water parameters. Right now all I know is your tank size and fish load. Changing bulbs as stated above can help but after your last post I doubt that is the problem. You must answer these questions to get the best help.
Tank Equipment:
Lights? How many power compacts? How many watts?
Skimmer? Y/N? If yes, what size?
Sump? If yes, what size?
Refugium? If yes, what size?
What do you use for water movement? Powerheads? What size? How many?
Do you use additives or chemical media? Carbon? Phosguard?
Now we have to know the following current water parameters:
Nitrate
Nitrite
Ammonia
Ph
Phosphate
It would also be good to know your Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium levels but those are not nearly as important.

Now, I just do a 10%-15% water change every 3 or 4 months.

That is very bad. The most a tank should go is 1 month and the water changes need to be much larger percent. More like 25% min. In a small tank they need to be more often. Knowing this I bet when you test you will find your water parameters to be off, probably way off. One of the better tips I was given is that you can never to a water change too large or too often (as long as the new water is the same salinity and temperature).

Good new is that we are here to help you.