Water issues

Been on top of tank with weekly 20% water changes,72 gl bf with 20 sump. Been hand picking green algae,dosing cal.Softies doing well,new ati bulbs and light cycle is 700 am actinic led, 1000,white led,1200 ho-t5 on till 700 730 white leds off,lights out at 800 pm.nitrate is at 20.phos 0.5,cal 360,salinity 1.025 and temp is 78f. Put carbon in on sat.My perculas killed a chromis who was to close to there eggs but the hermits ate him up in 30 min,also cleaner shrimp molted and shell is still around,Have not touched sump to clean mulm.Also brown algae on glass and on some of the rock?? Help anyone?

 

Do you have pics? Nitrates/Phosphates could definitely be contributing to the algae, do you run GFO?

 

Have phosban reactor and also carbon in sump,could also be my sand bed,old tank that was not kept up,sand has never been changed,about 5 years old.1 inch but i have been cyphoning it out little by little every water change,

 

it could be your sand bed. It will take time to turn your parameters around. I might suggest cutting your light cycle down a tad because that could be contributing to the algae growth as well. I know it's frustrating to be doing so much work and still seeing water chemistry not being where you would like it to be (been there and still am there somewhat).

 

Personally I don't think lighting is an issue with algae growth. If there are enough nutrients and dissolved organics in your water the algae will grow regardless of what your lighting schedule is. Sand beds can definitely be nutrient sinks no matter what depth they are so stirring them and eventually replacing them is a must

 

I agree with this but I also think by limiting your lighting, it can cut down on the visible algae in your tank. The op is working on replacing the sand bed by siphoning out little bits at a time.

 

Will go down to 9 hr light cycle and continue with siphoning sand out with water changes,was thinking about using sump as fuge.?? Any suggestions??

 

A fuge would be helpful. What you may be able to do although I can't help you figure out how but I know there are articles on here is an algae turf scrubber in your sump. That would probably help you quite a bit from what I've read about them.