green slimy algae or whatever it's called

[Bifferwine]

Halide bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months or so. You can't really tell when they start to go bad, they don't burn out like a household light bulb.

[amhealy]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Halide bulbs need to be replaced every 6 months or so. You can't really tell when they start to go bad, they don't burn out like a household light bulb.

Thanks, Sarah. Do you think this might be why the Elegance is all folded up inside, as if it doesn't want to come out? It started doing this before I did the huge water change. Actually, a couple of the corals don't seem to want to come out.

[Bifferwine]

Have you tested for phosphates and nitrates? Those will both harm corals and fuel algae.

It could very well be that your bulbs are too old, I'd switch them out and see if that helps the corals, but I suspect there's more to it than old bulbs, sounds like a water quality issue.

[amhealy]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Have you tested for phosphates and nitrates? Those will both harm corals and fuel algae.

It could very well be that your bulbs are too old, I'd switch them out and see if that helps the corals, but I suspect there's more to it than old bulbs, sounds like a water quality issue.

I appreciate your knowledge. I haven't done a test recently. I'll go do one now.

[runningrandy04]

A lot of the smaller hermits and snails will quit on the long hair algae after a little while. Too much work for them to rip out. You can get an emerald crab. Those things love hair algae. I don't know if anyone told you but you should take the bubble things off the maxi-jets. Bubbles in a salt water tank just cause salt creep and rapid evaporation. Your skimmer does most of the oxygenation. Plus, the powerhead breaking the surface of the water does the same as the bubbles.

[amhealy]

Originally Posted by runningrandy04

A lot of the smaller hermits and snails will quit on the long hair algae after a little while. Too much work for them to rip out. You can get an emerald crab. Those things love hair algae. I don't know if anyone told you but you should take the bubble things off the maxi-jets. Bubbles in a salt water tank just cause salt creep and rapid evaporation. Your skimmer does most of the oxygenation. Plus, the powerhead breaking the surface of the water does the same as the bubbles.

Thanks, running. Funny thing is that about 6 months ago, when I first started noticing the problem, I bought an emeral crab because I was told that the emerald crab would eat the green stuff. It was tiny when I bought him and put him in the tank.

The day I put him in the tank was the last time I saw him. I figured he just died or something.

Recently, when we went to do the major water change, we discovered this 2-inch in diameter crab-thing that was all white, with furry arms, sort of scurrying around. Someone said that because he has stayed hidden from light, he has become albino.

So, can someone else confirm (no offense intended) that I should take the bubble things off the maxi-jets?

[Bifferwine]

Yes, take the bubble things off the MaxiJets. You don't want tons of air bubbles in your water.

[amhealy]

Originally Posted by Bifferwine

Yes, take the bubble things off the MaxiJets. You don't want tons of air bubbles in your water.

Okay, no more bubble things. Poof! They're gone!

[runningrandy04]

Its ok, none taken. So...2 inch huh? Wow!! Mine is really small and I feed him a square inch of dried seaweed every week. Even after that he manages to eat everything my hermits pass by. I don't understand how you have that big of a crab in there and still have algae. Goes to show you that even though they are the same species they are all different.

[amhealy]

I finally did some testing. Here are the results:

Ammonia: 0
Ph: 8.2
Calcium: 500
Kh: 12
Nitrates: 40 to 80 range
Phosphates: 1.0 to 2.0 range

I don't understand why the nitrates and phosphates are so high, considering I just did such a huge water change last weekend.

I'm going to do another 20% water change today. I guess I'll keep doing water changes until it's lower.