Also need advice on water params!

Took my water params tonight 7pm :
Salt: 1.027 (was 1.030 4 days ago but slowly adding fresh ro to lower it)
temp - 26-27 ( drops by 2 at night, is that ok? figured its cause the lights are turned off?)
ammon - 0
nitrite0
nitrate 10-20 ( tanks 4 months old and nitrate has alway sat between 10 -20)
ph- 8.3 (could maybe push 8.5)
Kh little confused bout this one as it took 12-13 drops then you times that by 10 to work out the calcium carbonate? = 120-130?

Calcium 24 drops= 480 ( was 560 for past 3 months )

po4 is finally 0 ( has been 0.25 since set up)

Are all my params good? Its just i have aload off rusty brown alge at the bottom off my tank which has inch long dark black/brown string bits growing out from the bottom off my tank. Also alot off dark red alge which i first thought was good coril alge butit is not, now its smothering over the low rocks and the coral sand at the bottom of my tank. I can remove quite alot when i do a water change but its back after two days! I can take some pictures if anyone would like to see?
Thanks K

 

anyone wanna tackle this?

 

I'm not sure about the kH I think you misses a step in the math. What units of measure are you using ppm, DKH ?

Everything else looks OK. but really the relationship between dKH and Ca is the key. I would check your ALK again and figure out the units.

J

 

HI thanks i have some pics on the algae forum but here are some more!
Also i have failed to find a mag test at the lfs i use in the uk all they both sell is ammonia, nitrate ,nitrite,ph, kh, cal, phos,! Also alkalinity dont really no what that is either! sorry to sound dumb! All my tests are the hegen nutrafin master test kit.
Also the algae started as the brown rusty stuff it then changed to like a black stringy oil slick which then got covered with the dark red slimy stuff you can now see!
Thanks K

 

As mission stated it is cyanobacteria with considering its name is not an algae but a bacteria. It does act like an algae to an extent and some of the same procedures for removal apply.
First and foremost you need to realize that cyano is a natural aspect of a maturing tank, everyone at some point in the first 12-18 months will go through a bout of cyano when starting a tank. Same goes with diatoms(the rusty stuff you were referring to) and most likely a little hair algae. When you realize this you can start relaxing and after that get down to business. If the tank is healthy the cyano will go away on its own, BUT the presence of cyano tells you that the tank isn't healthy and something must be done to change whatever is wrong.
Possible actions, add water movement; this is huge and should be tried first and foremost. Make sure the turnover in the tank is good as well make sure the sand bed and behind the rocks is getting flow. I don't mean a little flow I mean oceanic current type flow, this will help the entire tank and its inhabitants as well as knock out the cyano.

Increased alk and pH is an effective tool as well. This is typically accomlished with the use of kalkwasser or limewater. Food grade calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 is all you need be it Kent's or Mrs Wages. If you do not get enough evaporation you can also make a kalk slurry and add it to an area of high movement that is free from sensitive corals.

Adding or the continued use of a protein skimmer is a great option, but make sure it is rated for your tank and that you clean it regularly to keep it working properly.
Carbon filtration is another good option to use at this point, even if you use it just until the cyano is gone.

If you have the means Ozone is your last big option and it is a big one. Ozone is dangerous to tanks and people so make sure you use it properly!! When done properly it will increase clarity and quality of the water tremendously!

Good luck and Happy reefing!

 

Ok thanks for all the helpful info. I am going to do a water change today just to get some off the cyano out as its starting to cover the rocks now!. im going to the lfs tomorrow so im gonig to get another flow powerhead and see if that helps!
Thanks again for the advice,
K

 

ok i did my water change 3 days ago and got out as much off the cyano as poss then did my params the following day which were - ammonia 0 , nitrite 0 , nitrate just 10 , phos 0 & moved my tunze blower to the botton off my tank and aimed it at the offending cyano!
But yet again my tank is covered with cyano but just up one end off the tank , the end thats away from the blower! its starting to cover rocks and is even at the top off my tank on the skimmer pumps! i tested my water today and amm 0 nitrite 0 nitrate below 5 phos 0 so my question now is if there is no nitrate to get rid off because the cyno is eating it then how do i lower my nitrate! Yet again the marine world baffles me. my genral algea is not to bad but its just the cyano is smothering my mushrooms and just everything really!

 

As far as your KH, remember there are 2 parts to total hardness, carbonate and bicarbonate. If I remember right, you have to subtract the bicarbonate value from the carbonate value to get total hardness, though it might be the other way around though. I don't remember exactly.
To lower your nitrates, it could be that your system just needs to mature more to establish more anaerobic bacteria. To break up cyano, you have to add more waterflow in your tank. I am seeing a slight growth of cyano in my little tank since removing my Fluval canister filter, since it added ~200gph circulation. I added a Koralia 1 and it has cut down on the cyano growth. Get more flow into your cyano area soon to prevent damage to your mushrooms and corals.