Algae issue taking over

[Mark_C]

I just got out of a 3 month battle where I was almost ready to give up the tank due to hair and turf algae.
I was ill for a couple weeks and it overran, seriously overran the tank.
Initially used Vibrant to questionable effect.
About 8 weeks ago I did a 3 day total blackout and on re-opening, turned off the skimmer and reactor and treated with Flux RX.
Turned skimmer back on 3 days after dosing, left reactors off. Sfter about 7-10 days there was a noted decrease in the algae.
Began a week of 10g water changes per day (system is approx 130g).
I was changing 3 filter socks daily with the gunk coming out.
Now doing 2.5g per day changes, every day, part of my morning routine before breakfast, blowing the rocks off first with a baster.
I cant find a spot of green hair or turf anywhere.

Heres the stuff I used...

Flux Rx - Blue Life

bluelifeusa.com

Here's a shot (bit blurred) of just after the blackout, as I started the Flux and WCs...



And here's a shot I just took of the same rock area...



You can see in the bottom left of the second pic that I have a small amount red slime which is slowly dissipating as I'm continuing wc's, lowering nitrates and phosphates with decreasing feeding schedule.

 

[MadReefer]

Excellent thank you too.
I'll let you know. Gonna hit all the local pharmacies today

Try the Dollar store, where I get mine usually.

 

[jgraz]

Try the Dollar store, where I get mine usually.

Good call ill hit them in a bit

 

[mnat]

We went the blackout/dr tims route. We went with 3-4 days the first time and they came back about 2 weeks later. We went with a 13 day blackout and so far so good. We are slowly turning the light back up.

 

[jgraz]

We went the blackout/dr tims route. We went with 3-4 days the first time and they came back about 2 weeks later. We went with a 13 day blackout and so far so good. We are slowly turning the light back up.

Mike
How are you handling the black out? Completely covering the tank or just lights out with normal ambient conditions. Feeding still?

 

[jgraz]

OK so for everyone that responded thinking Dinosaur. While agree for the most part here is something to chew on. I have never seen or heard of snails and inverts eating dinoflaggettes. Yet I see this everyday. Here are 2 spots under each frag that were cover only a couple of hours ago, cleared by astreas, and my urchin is still clearing areas as well.
Thoughts?

 

[jgraz]

I have peroxide if you need

Its 1 m per 10 gallons I have a full bottle if you need it. I'm in Hamilton so your probably like 10 minutes away.

the guys for the offer. I found some st my sisters place. But if I need more ill hit you guys up.

Thx again

 

[Mrx7899x]

If they are eating it I would get a bunch of them and let them get to work.

 

[NikkiT]

Mike
How are you handling the black out? Completely covering the tank or just lights out with normal ambient conditions. Feeding still?

We completely covered the tank. We used cardboard and landscape fabric. We did still feed.

 

[MadReefer]

I used the black poster board from the Dollar store and thick blanket.
I did not feed and did a 7 day black out.
Lost 2 fish and some frags. My logic was it would either cure or speed up the restart process. Was battling Dunks on and off for months.

 

[Hockeynut]

I have done this in the past and it did help restart. I did feed fish but no light at all. Except for a half hour to feed and it was room light not let or t5.
also 10ml peroxide