Brownish Algea prob.

[Niclas]

Hi
I am still having some problem with brow/orange algea on my sand and LS. I stopped using Start 2 and Food and bak 1.5 weeks ago but still no difference. I tried to clean the sand but it keeps coming back.
Any suggestions what to do

[Aged Salt]

Hi Niclas, first check your product water--you may need to replace the membrane/filters in your unit. Be sure to add an Si-free DI canister if this is exhausted or your not using a DI filter on your unit. Please restart the ZEOvits as this is not ZEOvit-related, Bob

[Niclas]

Hi Bob,
My Osmosis unit is quite new, and it is also equipped with an SI filter. I have never before had any signs of these brown/orange algeas. I got them after 2-3 weeks using ZEO. I also know that I overdosed Start 2 so I thougt it could have had something with that to do...

[Aged Salt]

Niclas, is your DI color-change when exhausted? I need to change my filters about once a month, but this depends on the source water TDS & the amount of product water needed for one's system. My TDS tap water is 485 & my net water volume is 300g[1200 ltrs], Bob

[Niclas]

No it isn´t but here in Stockholm we have excellent water quality, one would expect the filter to last a couple of years here, at least...

[Aged Salt]

Niclas, no doubt your water source is purer than mine, but please test your product water for:
1)TDS
2)Si's
3)P04's
Thnx. Bob

[Norberg]

Hi Niclas!

Other reefers in Sweden has experienced that the SI filter get filled very fast and then start to reales big amounts back with the water that is suposed to be clean. So it is important to check the water outlet frequently.

[Niclas]

Hi Norberg, so you found your way over here too!!

I checked my water today and got the following results.

SI = 0 using Salifert (but we all know that you can´t trust Salifert 100%)
PO4 = 0.04 Using my Hanna.
TDS= Don´t know how to test it??? What is TDS?... Stupid me.....

[Aged Salt]

Hi Niclas, your RODI water should be Hanna 0.00. TDS=total dissolved solids, which requires a hand-held tester[~$40 USD] & should read <5. If it's >5, or P04 +, it's time to change your filters. Bob

[GTR]

I found my old 200g storage container with scale on the sides was leaching PO4's back into my RO/DI water.
I've been going crazy (short trip) looking for the problem.
In the past I've always tested for P04 in RO/DI by taking the sample from the feed line just because it was easy that way. Last week I took a sample from the container valve and the Hanna read .33 and .34. I think it just might be causing my algae problem... ya think?

My 350g system needs about 15g per day for top off right now and during the hotter months about 25 gpd. Needless to say the problem was getting better but only because I was adding less top off to feed the green slime from hell. PO4 in the system stays around .06 which is about where I want it to keep my softies growing fast.

SteveU

[Norberg]

Hehe, thats right Niclas. I am trying my luck in the promised land to :roll: .
This is a nice forum and there is a lot of good info here!

So then you should have found the source for the brown alge now. Change the SI filter and se if it was that. Or better just take it away and test the water direct after the osmos first and se what it is there!

[Aged Salt]

Mine was coated after many yrs. w/o cleaning now I clean my water tank once a yr. Bob

[Norberg]

I am glad to hear that it isnt only me that is not cleaning stuff all the time!