Is too much flow possible?

[jdeb101]

Some things that raise this concern are my blue shrooms have lost their blue and are like a faded purple color now. THey also are not as open as they were at the LFS.

I've also noticed an increase in brown algae on my rockwork and glass. This appears to be more noticeable in high flow areas (next to the PH's).

I know most people here have flow rate of 30-40X, but I think these people also run mainly sps tanks. My tank is mixed reef (maybe thats part of my problem as it can be hard to balance?), but mostly softies.

My params are all in check (not sure what my mag levels are though) and I notice pretty decent growth from everything.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[alpha0r]

My guess would be you have less light and higher nutrients than the LFS. Posting your actual parameters would be more helpful than saying they are "all in check." Skimming wetter and feeding less (not including pack water) would probably help out your algae problem.

 

[JohnK]

I'd have to agree, sounds more like too little light and some excess nutrients.

Shrooms don't generally like high flow, but IIRC too much doesn't normally affect color, just extension and general happiness.

As for the algae, flow won't cause nusiance algae.

Do you have any detectable phosphate?

 

[jdeb101]

My params are:

Alk:4.0
Calc: 420
Phosphates: 0
Ph:8.0 (a little low i suppose)
Amm, ites & ates: 0
Salinity: 1.023
Temperate has been between 83-86 due to the hot weather.

I feed once every other day Hikari frozen mysis or brine. I usually let them melt in IO water and net the shrimp for feeding although past week or so Ive been lazy.

I actually read in a sw aquarium book that certain brown algaes like high flow. Has anyone else ever known of this?

While my LFS did have MH's on it, I thought shrooms dont require that much lighting? Wouldnt you think they are getting too much light and maybe bleaching? It appears that one of th shrooms on the frag that is in a more shaded area is retaining its color more than the more exposed ones.

 

[JohnK]

"I actually read in a sw aquarium book that certain brown algaes like high flow. Has anyone else ever known of this?"

I wouldn't be surprised, but you still need nutrients for algae to grow.

As for the light, it's just a guess. Your right, shrooms usually like moderate light. That said, 2x T5 bulbs may not be all that much light. And FWIW, yes, high flow absolutely could annoy shrooms, I just wouldn't expect it to affect their color.

 

[JayM]

80 watts of T-5 is not going to bleach ANYTHING in a 40g breeder, esp since one of the bulbs is actinic

 

[Cardiak]

Some things that raise this concern are my blue shrooms have lost their blue and are like a faded purple color now. THey also are not as open as they were at the LFS.

I've also noticed an increase in brown algae on my rockwork and glass. This appears to be more noticeable in high flow areas (next to the PH's).

I know most people here have flow rate of 30-40X, but I think these people also run mainly sps tanks. My tank is mixed reef (maybe thats part of my problem as it can be hard to balance?), but mostly softies.

My params are all in check (not sure what my mag levels are though) and I notice pretty decent growth from everything.

Any help is appreciated!

Mushrooms wont fully open in high flow areas unless they are the frilly/rhodactics type. Low flow will get them to open up and being in a dimmly lighted spot will cause them to trumpet out making them even bigger. Blue/Purple mushrooms will also shift colors quite freaquently when there are changes in your water parameters (ph,nitrates,alk)

I run a mixed Softie/LPS tank with a flow rate of around 90X with no problems and there is plently of brown fuzzy algae on my powerheads as well.. its completly normal

 

[jdeb101]

Sorry, didnt realize my sig was out of date. I've actually been running 4 T5's for a few months now. 2 actinics, 1 day, and 1 50/50.

Although the brown algae on my LR isnt fuzzy, I also have the brown fuzzy, and a little bubble algae on my skimmer pump.

Maybe you guys are right in it not being due to light or flow but rather nutrients. Ill try to get a wc in soon. I've been doing 25% changes every 3-4 weeks. I'll try to get them done every other week and see if this helps.