Poly Styrene Egg-Crate...

[TechGuy40]

So I was researching Briopsis Algae today. I have had a sudden outbreak hardcore.

Turns out Poly styrene egg crate leaches crap back into the water. Mostly the .25" stuff. The .5" stuff is supposed to be Acrylic.

Is this true, has anyone else read this? THis would explain the massive outbreak of not only nearly impossible to remove Bryopsis, but the other algaes in my tank. I have increased my Mag alot in order to get rid of it. Hopefully it doesn't nuke my tank.

But if this is true I am pissed. My whole setup from the fuge/sump to the frag rack (now algae covered) is made of the same Poly flippin Styrene.

I understand the whole mini cycle thing. I added new sand, stirred some up. But my nitrates remain undetectable, same with phosphates.

[chromiumlux]

Im glad you posted this Tech. I had a similar outbreak in my frag tank also. As a matter of fact, I spent a better part of Sunday cleaning out my frag tank. I pitched the egg crate shelf I made and opted for the live rock in the tank for shelves to set frags on. Working for now. It wasn't until I put this eggcrate in my tank that I started seeing several types of algae pop up out of nowhere. Some kind of funky stuff that grew like mad on the glass from little spots that at first resembled coraline algea but grew into long filamentous strands literally overnight. Coincidence as to your situation? possible, but then again everything in my frag tank including rock is cured and has been propagated from my other two tanks that have been up for 2-3 years.
Next time I'll make my racks out of acrylic.

[marinelife]

Never heard of it, Many people use egg crate. I guess it is possible.

Up your Alk and turn off your lights for a day or two will help with the algae.

[coral ranch]

when Mark and I change our egg crate shelves they always grow algae on them for the first week or two and then it goes away. Not sure why this happens but it could very well be leaching things out into the water.

[rayviv]

.................You say Poly styrene egg crate; is that the lighting fixture grid that your speaking of ?

[TechGuy40]

.................You say Poly styrene egg crate; is that the lighting fixture grid that your speaking of ?

Yes it is Ray.

There has to be some relationship here. I understand the normal cycle, Diatoms, and various algaes popping up. But this more than I have seen in the past. Maybe I am paranoid.

I did however dose about 3lbs of Epsom salt last night, and my PH is 8.6. So that should kill the Bryposis, and the raised PH should help lower available CO2.

[TechGuy40]

Yes I am insane...

[rayviv]

[QUOTE=TechGuy40;3220]Yes it is Ray.

Where do you get the Poly "styrene" ? I thought styrene was like a coffee cup. Supposedly there is only one chemical that makes the difference between margarine and styrofoam. (so eat butter)

[TechGuy40]

Thats the wonders of modern Chemistry, and "polymers". I will have to research this more though. Interesting point.

[rayviv]

Thats the wonders of modern Chemistry, and "polymers". I will have to research this more though. Interesting point.

Let me know your findings when you get to them.