Week 2 Growth

[zhewitt04]

Here it is[attachment=1:32p3hkrh]4-C2EB6857-2455383-800.jpg[/attachment:32p3hkrh][attachment=0:32p3hkrh]4-C55267BE-2121255-800.jpg[/attachment:32p3hkrh]

[kerry]

You are well on your way to scrubbing! The growth on my 40G looks a lot like that. I made some light a flow improvements and its greening up a little more now. How are nutrients?

[zhewitt04]

I haven't checked yet. Will update tonight hopefully.

[zhewitt04]

Just checked water nutrients
Ammonia -0
Nitrate -20
Nitrate -0

I do not need any more flow. The pump is rated for 1000 gph. I know I am not getting that but I only need 300 for the size if my screen. I have only two lights one cfl on each side.

[kerry]

Good results. My nano 10G will jump up to 20PPM nitrate if I get crazy on the food as the screen area needs to be improved. My 40G is fed real heavy and stays about 5PPM or less and had been 10PPM but its improving all the time and my growth is getting more green to it.

[zhewitt04]

Update: I do not have any pictures but the algae is lighter and greener on one side and darker on the other so i am going to move my light closer on that one side. My question is why isn't my algae in the display disappearing? I have been pulling it out by hand and it doesn't grow back but i cant get ever strand of ha.
Thanks

[SantaMonica]

Because your scrubber is not strong enough.

[zhewitt04]

How do I make it stronger. I have enough flow for sure. I am using a 1000gph rated return pump with no head. I am least getting 600 gph and only need 400. The screen is appropriettly sized and I have one CFL on each side. (100W equivelant 2700K)

I am getting no read out on ammonia or nitrate. I don't check nitrite anymore. My corals are opening more in particular my lps. Everything seems to be ok but the hair algae. Do I feed more to get growth up more on my scrubber? I just don't know what you mean about it not being strong enough.
Thanks

[Doompie]

it shouldn't be an equivelant of 100 watt, only real watt's count...

[zhewitt04]

Ok 23 REAL watts. X 2

[kerry]

I increased mine to 2@33Watts CFL. This seems to produce a very dark green instead of brown, so its on its way. I am thinking I might go to the 44W CFL's I seen at Walmart for about 10 bucks each if these 33W's do not get green in a few cleanings. I also found better green results if I just scrap the algae off and not spray it clean with water pressure but just rinse it after the scrapping.

[zhewitt04]

Thanks. I got 32's tonight. We will see if that helps. Got them for 4 bucks at a local store! Though that was a good price.

[kerry]

Thats great!! Let us know how it works.

[zhewitt04]

Well I cleaned my screen Friday. I used a card and didn't run it under water like kerry recommended. I am having much lighter growth already and it is much fuller on the screen and its only Sunday. I am excited to see that ha melt away.

[zhewitt04]

I am pumped. I think i am finally getting there. Its only Tuesday (well Wed. now) and my screen is super green. I will take a picture This weekend when i clean it. I cleaned it Sunday and on Tuesday I had more growth than ever and it is light green not dark and brown. It is really got some depth to it to. When i say depth it is coming off the screen not flat on it. I got alot of "pockets" I guess is what you would call them. Super pleased ready for my display tank algae to disapear. How much longer do i have before it kills off.

O and i have a question. I run 8 t5s on my display and 2 burnt out so now 6 (6x54watts). I am changing to MH this weekend (2x175 watts). Is this going to effect my growth?

[kerry]

Thats good to hear!! I have added a MH light to mine a while ago and didn't notice an difference in algae. I did however notice how much better my fish and corals looked though.