Aragonite vs Crushed Coral

I know you guys have probably seen this argument a trillion times, but honestly which one is better for my reef? I know crushed coral is a little outdated and tends to get clogged with debris and feces. But the aragonite in my tank gets too much frikin algae growth on it, and in my experience the crushed coral never gets algae growth on it.. like all those different kinds of nasty slime algae that grows on the aragonite. Ugh. I used to mix the two substrates and it worked fine in my old reef, until I upgraded and switched to just aragonite. Although my nitrates have been a bit lowered with just the aragonite. Hm. Thanks for any input.

 

I'd guess that the algae isn't due to the aragonite or lack thereof, but of another problem! What are your levels? What water are you using? lights etc?

 

80 gallon matured aquarium; no ammonia or nitrite, nitrates are at 5 ppm, a little bit too much calcium though (550 ppm), and a little under the recommended kH (7 degrees*), pH is usually at 8, and phosphates are at 0.5 ppm when last checked about a week ago.
I've had some algae problems recently but I think I've finally gotten rid of it by scrubbing everything clean and carefully removing the algae. At least for the most part. I've also been dosing with an algaecide and the protein skimmer seems to be catching a lot.
As for lighting: Two 250 watt HQI 10,000K metal halide bulbs + 4 actinic PC bulbs + 5 blue LED lights.

 

what water are you using? how old are the bulbs? livestock?

 

I always either use dechlorinated tap water or RO water. replaced the bulbs in july. as for livestock..a tomato clown, a percula, tons of blue leg hermits and lots of types of coral (SPS, softies and LPS). And a carpet anemone who killed all my other livestock.

 

you answered your problem in the first sentence! You can't use tap water or RO water and not have algae issues, regardless of skimming/ treatment etc! Ya need to buy a RODI unit ASAP! Should cost about $125-150! Check out BRS BFS or spectrapure! Buy a TDS meter $25, and 2 big totes from walmart! Then get an extra heater and small powerhead to mix your water! prob within 2 or 3 water changes you'll see the algae go by by!

 

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