Trouble shooting my 2ft tank ats

[natureAddict]

5402 this side using 23w 2,700k cfl

5404 this side using sunlight, which is at its maximum now.

Brief History - i started the ats about 2 years back. Initially had alot of trouble getting the correct wattage n number of hours to leave on. Finally it worked perfect well n no algae in sump nor main tank. BUT a few months back the sun started shifting into the balcony n my tank had a hairy algae bloom of all colors - grey, green, n all types.

would appreciate your comments. :)

[SantaMonica]

Tank pics please.

[natureAddict]

The thumb nail is the Main tank. Thanks

[SantaMonica]

I mean pics of the whole thing.

[natureAddict]

finally got my pics into microsoft system.
5439sump is on the left, right is the main tank.

[natureAddict]

5440

5441 close up of what's in the sump

[SantaMonica]

I think the large surface area of your rocks and sand, which have phosphate are are all in the sun, have stronger photosynthesis than your scrubber.

You will probably need to do a regular cleanup with removing nuisance algae, vacuuming, etc. If you do this enough, your current scrubber might be able to keep up. If not, a stronger scrubber will be needed.

[natureAddict]

So, to save labour, perhaps a 30w 2700k cfl bulb would be good to make
the scrubber stronger?
I have increased my life stock in both tanks and I'm feeding about
1.5cubes a day.

What's your comments on the ats? Sun side and cfl side.

Thanks

[SantaMonica]

You will need a bigger scrubber. Your screen is already filled up. Most of your nutrients are coming from your rock and sand, not your feeding.

Another scrubber like the one you have.

[natureAddict]

Just wondering if cleaning off the present screen 50%? 70%? Or 90%
and put a 30w cfl would help?

[SantaMonica]

I would clean it all the way to the white.

[natureAddict]

I would clean it all the way to the white.

ok. thanks. I will do that.

That will start the cycle all over?

Should i use the saw blade on the screen?

Also I have 3 peppermint shrimps in the sump - do u think that significantly contributes to the algae in the sump?

Thanks !!!

[SantaMonica]

Cycle? No, you can't have a cycle on a screen. Cycles are caused by excess dead stuff in your tank, such as killing lots of periphyton by moving rocks around.

Blade yes, if needed to get to the white part.

I don't think shrimp are contributing, however adding a snail would not hurt, to break up the organic particles further.