Problem

Got a problem Im trying to work through. Algae seems to be springing up everywhere. My parameters seem to be ok but haven't checked my PH yet. Ill do that today.
Ive changed the water and done the lights out thing, which reduced it quite substantially but it ended up coming back.
My T5s are getting old which may be a contributing factor, so I decide to upgraded them to LED. It looks like it's going to take a while to get them in the mail so Ill just have to manage it the best I can till then. I have 6 bulbs so figure $25 a bulb give me a $150 discount on a new set of LEDs. At least thats what I told my wife.
Hopefully this will help with the algae.

Anyway, just thought I would put this up and document what I found got rid of it once I figure what is going on.

Algae - YouTube

 

video doesnt work

 

I got the video to work but looks like you taped over something else

 

I was trying to fix it at the same time you were. Just needed to remove the http in the link.

 

I did not look at the video but just because your params are "ok" does not actually mean that they are. It could be that the algae is using up the available nutrients thus leading to a "zero" reading. I would begin the search for the source...detrious build up, dirty filters etc. You may also wish to examine your clean up crew to see if that needs to be beefed up. Good luck and let us know what you find!

 

yah, I know, Ive heard that before.

I just refurbished the crew last week. They're working at it but they're not keeping up.

Im going to let it go for a couple days and maybe the algae will eat themselves out of existence. If it gets too bad, Ill turn the lights out again. But in the mean time Im still researching. Its been going on for about two weeks now. Doesn't seem to be hurting anything so Im not too worried about it. Just doesn't look that great.

 

YOu could possibly try a DIY Phos guard reactor.

The one I crafted on my 125 is working well.

I rarely add to the phosguard in it. Recently getting my Alk and Ca back up seemed to also help, as I have no cyano again of stringy stuff.

Good luck

 

I have a reactor with a phosphate sponge and the water change should have removed anything else. Ive changed out the lighting to some old LEDs I had, so right now Im waiting to see what the combination of new clean up crew and lighting is going to do. We'll see.

 

Moved to ------ Algae.