Cam's 29 Gallon (New Project)

I think you need to reevaluate the way you are battling this buddy. You aren't battling the algae, you are battling the nutrients that feed the algae. Caulerpa is extremely prolific but can be controlled when nutrient levels are within range. When you get your levels in check your corals will be noticably healthier than before. What are your levels currently at? And are you still using api test kits? Selling it would be kinda pointless because you would be taking a big loss. Also, what tds is the water going into your tank?

 

That's too bad. I would add that 1050 by itself for soft corals or the 750 with the 700 if you have SPS. Either way, that should help with any film or Cyano issues. The calurpa may need to be removed by hand, but as stated above, we really need to get the nitrate/phosphates under control first.

Additional flow, blackouts,manual removal will be a waste of time without doing so first.

You may end up testing 0 for all nutrients because they are being consumed quickly. The feeding doesn;t sound like an issue, so perhaps your water source is. What is your livestock?

 

I may have to try that.

 

All of my levels have been fine, but the phosphates are probably being soaked up by the algae. I've been having everything tested by my LFS. I'm not sure about their TDS, but I'm setting up my own RO/DI unit anyways. The only reason why I considered selling the tank was because the Caulerpa has started to take over the corals and I just can't get rid of it. If I were to sell everything, that would save me from the headache of spending more money on things that may not work. I'm pretty sure the phosphates are coming out of the rock. I moved some of the rocks into a separate container with fresh saltwater, a heater, and flow a while ago and algae was still growing from the rock.

This tank has just been such a headache. I've been fighting the same problems since I set up the tank over a year ago, with no success and only losses with livestock and money.

I have SPS, so I may try the 750. I've been removing the Caulerpa by hand for a while now. I still feel like the rock and sand are the problems, though.

I have a simple CuC, a Peppermint Shrimp, a Pincushion Urchin (That was supposed to help with the Caulerpa, with no success), 1 Rock Anemone, 2 Maxi Mini Anemones, a bunch of corals, some Mangroves and Chaetomorpha, and 1 Chromis.

 

I don't mean to sound whiny. It's just that I can never seem to find a solution for my tank's problems.

 

I went through that a few years ago and ended up tearing down my tank. It stayed ideal for about a year, then cycled for a year, before I started it up again a year ago this week. I had a leak in my tank so I was adding tap water daily, which led to algae issues. Frustrating.

 

Sorry to hear that It's very frustrating. I've been wanting to try an AIO tank, though, like a Nuvo 16 or a Biocube, or even build my own shallow aquarium. Something with enough width to have a better scape.

 

Alright buddy, here is your problem. Your water is probably pretty well tainted with PO4 and NO3 levels to have algae grow that fast. Obviously the addition of a sump/fuge would be a big help but if my memory serves correct you said you cant add one... Im going to go out on a limb here and guess that your LFS is using API test kits or something of the same caliber. In my experience they will always tell you your levels are in check. They arent because you have algae. Get real test kits, Red Sea, Salifert, the best would be Hanna though. Im also guessing that your LFS doesnt monitor their TDS that closely that they are selling. I know my LFS doesnt. Hell, they dont even actually have a true RO unit, they just have prefilters and a carbon block. The bottom line here that Im trying to get to is, Your fish store doesnt operate from the kindness of their heart and depths of their pockets. They are a business and in my experience they will do what they can to make money off of you every chance you get.

The purpose of this post isnt to put you down or hate on your LFS. Its just that I found myself in the same position when I was around your age. I was way too trusting of my LFS and they screwed me every chance they got. Your tank isnt beyond fixing, its going to take some work and cash to fund though. You can do it buddy.

 

I would love to put a sump with a separate fuge on my tank, but I just don't have the room.

My LFS is using Red Sea test kits and they always let me double check the tests to see if they're reading the tests correctly. They were the first to let me know about my ammonia and phosphate problem, and they told me not to add anything until that was under control (which I already knew). They've just been a lot more helpful than my other LFS's :-/ The problem may be the TDS, though. I don't know if they're checking that, but I do know that they have an RO/DI system in the back of their store.

What do you think I'm going to need to fix this back up? And thanks for the encouraging words

 

I'm gonna stop whining about this and actually try my best to fight this off

I'll start by using my own RO/DI water and getting a TDS meter, as well as my own test kits. I'll cut back the lighting period from 12 hours to (6?) hours and do more frequent water changes. I'll also keep picking at the Caulerpa daily and get a bigger CuC to help with the other algae (GHA, Bubble, etc.) that keeps popping up.