Blog Comments

Thanks SeaPug, as you were typing this I was already scrubbing and tweezing. I would say that I was able to remove about 3/4 of it with those two methods. I don't runa reactor becasue I don't have a sump. My deltec mce 600 does however have a media chamber in which I run the following. Puirgen, BRS Carbon and BRS High Capacity GFO. I am going to step up my water changes and I have added tonight another 800 gph in flow. I'll update this thread with my progress. Sound like I am on a good track with these first attempts?

Doesn't look like typical Bryopsis, but it doesn't really matter. Try attacking it with tweezers and a toothbrush to get it under control then perhaps install a phosban reactor. That really did the trick for my algae issues. Persistence will pay off eventually.

Hard for me to tell if it is Bryopsis, it's just general HA to me. Large Turbo snails, growing macro and dosing for Mg seem to keep HA in check for me (knock wood).

Thanks very much for the response. I did neglect to leave out my calcium and mg levels. Sorry about that.

Calcium 460
Mg 1420 (last tested abut a month ago. I will rerun the test today)
My skimmer is completely cleaned out every week. I actually run a vinegar and water solution throught he skimmer while in a bucket in my sink for about 20 minutes while I clean the rest of the tank. I am going to boost my flow tonight to see if it makes a difference on that problem area. Do you think this is a Bryopsis though? The notion is scaring the heck out of me. Thanks again.
Dave

What's your Ca and how old is the system? When alk or Ca are out of whack, they can actually work against each other. IMO your alk is a tad low and even though your PO4 is testing at none detected (not 0), I bet you have some PO4 in there. Access to a phosphate meter would answer that. Kalk dosed in your skimmer does a pretty good job on PO4. A dirty skimmer can be a PO4 culprit as well.
Some have reported elevated Mg levels (above 1500) can impact HA problems. I would bust out the old toothbrush and scrub some of those problem areas like that clam, and pick out the tufts where you can. For small to med sized softie and LPS colonies, you may want to read about hydrogen peroxide dip. It's 9/10 tank water and 1/10 peroxide, dipped and basted for 10 mins. I've had some great luck with that.
IME, clams (like your T. maxima) generally like high flow, don't be afraid to boost your flow rates, it will also keep detritus in the water column and off your clam.

It's kind of nice to see a ton of colorful thumbnails all clustered together like that.

Very nice pics! Thanks for sharing!

Update: I have upgraded my lighting and am now running an Aquactinics MH/T5 classic combo fixture with dual 175w 15k XM bulbs and 2x39w T5 460nm supplemental actinic.

Hi guys, I will put the new pics up soon but here is my set up with the old dual 150w halides @ 20k from last week. I ran my new Aquactinics light last night. It is great! The bulb temps for the T5's are 460nm. My Current USA system didn't have an actinic option due to the width of my tank being only 12 inches on the sides but 15" at the bow. That partnered with the fact that I have an HOB skimmer reduced the width even more. Once i heard that Aquactinics has a model that was only 8.5 " in width I jumped on it! Thanks for your interest in my reef and I look forward to following along with all of you in your reed adventures.

No sump?! Heresy. LOL

I'd love to see your SPS-dominated reef.

I cant wait to see pics of this setup.

Nice what color temperature bulbs are you going to use on the T5's? Oh and put up pics!