green algae problem

[gerry45]

I have a 120 gallon tank running for 3 months now and lately algae has started covering my live rock.

I use the ge water filter unit with 2 cartridges and assume they clean the tap water enough as there is no taste or odor in the water.

the tank is 48x24x24 and I have 2x56 watt actinic and 2x56 watt daylight t5`5 with separate reflectors. they run 10 am to 10 pm.

would reducinf to one actinic and one daylight bulb help get rid of the algae?

what about reverse osmosis water?

 

[Cartman102]

You are not using reverse osmosis water? If you start you RO than that should help a lot!! Also lower your lighting hours. I'm not sure about ge but try RO.

 

[oscar83]

shortening ur photoperiod should help a little but i definetly think that ur main problem is no ro/di unit. i had problems with algae before i got my ro/di and once i got it the algae went away fairly quickly. check your phosphate and nitrate levels. they should be as close to zero as possible.

 

[RothChyld]

Also note if you dont want to spend the money for your own RO unit you can go to the grocery store and they potentially have some. Check for Glacier machines outside the store or right inside the entrance or exit. Its usually 30 center per gallon. I test it though to make sure its reliable and that they continue changing the filters.

Mike

 

[gerry45]

just a follow up,I installed a ro system (without di cartridge) in late august,went on vacation sept 8th and when I got home sept 22nd the algae was almost all gone! meter reads around 8-10ppm.