The Puffer Forum

Hey puffer peeps. I been having some serious issues with green algae in my tank lately and seems to be getting worse. I have been doing my weekly WC and scrubbing all the glass I can get to(some is behind the rocks). So today i hooked a RO/DI unit for 150$ today from a friend( yet to be plumbed into laundry room spicket) I ve even noticed a bit of hair algae growing on a snail shell. All of my live rock is now green with the glass too. I havent really been overfeeding. My anemone is acting dumb again and isnt doing much by helping himself into a good spot either lately? I guess my ? is will the ro unit help and/or is there something else I can do? Its was a slow growing algae till it got hot here. MY temp is usually 79-81 now. with no heater at all.

Oh yea Ive also noticed tiny Whitish "U" shaped bugs on my glass occasionally. And one puff seems to not want to eat much while the other is ready to chow anytime....

Actually, without RODI water, you can expect to fight a losing battle forever against algae.

Also on the good side(i think?) my giant hairy mushroom split into two mushrooms now...that was cool to watch over a week or soo..

OK thx PP so the ro unit will help...great news. Should I consider getting a phosphate test kit. The LFS made me not get it cuz they thought it was unnecessary, although Im almost sure its is necessary.

How do some ppl keep there reef tanks clean without RO water. Do the use something to determine phosphates and then use something to lower it?? I do have the RO unit so Im happy but now Im curious cuz I find it hard to believe all reef hobbyist use one.

Do they just buy the water or use regular tap? I have seen ppl buying SW at my LFS but Im not gonna pay 15$ for one 5g jug, its a rip-off to me..

Pufferpunk wrote:Actually, without RODI water, you can expect to fight a losing battle forever against algae.

Pufferpunk I have my LR in the middle of my tank for flow behind and in front. I really like the look of how ppl build a wall of LR. Is it good idea to consider this or does crud just build up back there. I was thinking BC i have 2 powerheads (650/750gph) so if i build a wall type of LR i could have a more direct flow on the LR instead of behind and in front of the LR now?

SammyDee wrote:How do some ppl keep there reef tanks clean without RO water.

Who wouldn't use RO? algae turf scrubber will keep the green out.

I use to keep my rocks in the center but now have built them against the glass. Kind of creates a nice refugium type area. I let algae stick to the wall behind the rocks as well.

I had powerheads situated behind my wall of rock but removed them after they got clogged. I do have a lot of open space behind my lower rocks (situated in the middle of the tank on the bottom), with the upper rocks leaning against the back glass.

Cool I think thats what Im gonna do. It should make more crevices for my anemone.

Ant ideas what "u" shaped bugs im seeing lately. Im worried theyre flatworms. Although Ive never experienced flatworms.


Jdak is an algae/turf scrubber the type of setup thats below the tank with a tube with holes and a pourous sheet where water runs down it in to the sump. It has a light on the sheet right. So the spores all get caught here and then you clean it occasionally right?

You really need to start using your search engine.

UH.... yea.... thx..... but Ive researched as much as I can elsewhere. Ive seen algae scrubbers. Ive never heard anyone call it a turf scrubber. And I was gonna build one but cant with the stand I have.

Pufferpunk wrote:You really need to start using your search engine.

I guess you rather answer cycling ?s all then....

No one has mentioned GFO, (phosphate remover). It is almost a necessity if you are having algae problems, and even if you are not its a good prevention step. Ideally you would run it in a reactor, well worth the money. Also use carbon. Bulkreefsupply has some great deals on bulk GFO and reactors. I would even consider skipping the phosphate test kit because there is always phosphates being added to the system (food), you know you got it so there is no question for a need to export.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/pro ... on-and-gfo

I suggest putting a power head very low in the tank pointed behind the rocks, it will keep that area clean. I have a koralia4 pointed behind my rocks, it really blasts the junk out of there.

Algae turf scrubbers are supposed to be amazingly effective. I have not seen any available for purchase that didnt have a insane price tag, so it needs to be DIYed. You should be fine with just using GFO/GAC (phosphate remover and carbon)



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Thanks Mekong that was helpful...
I am really trying to stay away from reactors cuz my tank is small. If i was running a 120g for sure id do that. I just dont have room for a sock or reactor under my tank. I wonder if i could add that to an old aquaclear filter and use it that way. Ima go have a look on the site for prices and dimensions tHX AGAIN

Ok maybe I will consider these. I didnt realize how easy they are to use and maintain. And for 35$ is a steal to no scrub algae forever. Thank you soo much