Algae problem?

I suggest ro/di water especially if you are going to get corals. Phosphates and coral do not mix well.

 

dbpst

 

The tap water could be your nutrient source. Take your tap water to the fish place that you shop at and ask them to test it for phosphates.

If the levels are above 0.03 ppm, then you probably found your source. You could continue to use tap water and run something that absorbs phosphate (Chemi Pure Elite) or just use RO/DI water. You might want to run something like Chemi Pure in addition to RO/DI water anyways as some food can elevate phosphate if one overfeeds; call it a precautionary measure.

I use to use distilled water in my 20 gallon tank because I only need 4-gallons at a time, but the fish store I go to started carrying RO/DI water for nearly half the price (50 cents/gallon).

ps- I had an algae breakout in my old setup because of phosphates in my tap water. I refused to use RO/DI (tap water is free) and could never shake my algae problem.

 

You can use:
1. any small UV lamp; that will kill all phyto in water column and clear the tank, or

2. a protein skimmer. That is actually a well-known method of new tank conditioning, to add phytoplankton and create green water intentionally. The phyto will consume nitrates and phosphates from water and the algae cells are removed by mechanical filtration such as a skimmer. Pretty much similar to dosing vodka/sugar/vinegar/biopellets method.

In the long run, as people suggested, using RO/DI or distilled water ($0.86 per gallon at Walmart) is very beneficial to limit the nutrients and prevent outbreaks of any algae.

Don't wait with water treatment. As you know, at night photosynthesis doesn't work, the algae cells will consume oxygen and produce excessive amount of CO2 that will cause your fish to suffocate. The CO2 will lower pH and the corals will not tolerate acute pH swings.

 

Going to change water as soon as I get home from work. I have already done one change a few days ago. Could I still use water treater with distilled? Also I ordered one of these

JBJ NANOZAPP 3 WATT INLINE UV STERILIZER

 

You don't need to treat distilled water. Most everything's been removed through the distilling process. I'm sorry but IMO via much research, you've wasted your money on the UV sterilizer. The water just doesn't come into contact with the UV rays long enough to actually do any good.

 

WOW, this is my first time seeing this issue. I'm real eager to know the fix as well, Ill do some research and see what I come up with. Goodluck.

 

Keep us informed...

 

Excellent for a first post.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Alright here is an update. Apparently some people call this bloom the "pea soup" effect. I tested the water and my phosphates are high. Got a back of chemi pure and placed it into my filter yesterday the day before that I did a water change. The water is still green tho, my question is will the chemi pure clean it up or should I do another water change tonight? I am leaving for the beach tomorrow and won't be back till thursday...so I just want to make sure they will be ok till then. I did do a little research on that UV sterilizer and people said that it did its job, the only complains we're that it leaks a little at its joints which isn't a problem for me since I will be submerging it. If it doesn't work I'll send it back and get a different one. Also thank you everyone for all your help with this. Unfortunately most my time is spent doing research on orchids and chameleons for my Hobbies.