A new aquarist by default (HELP)

[kapsix]

I'm new to the hobby, in fact my son, during his move back to New Jersey, asked me to hold on to his saltwater fish & live rock for a while. Well It's been about four months now and he just told me to keep the tank and the fish etc. Sooo, here we go. the fish are doing very well, there is one yellow tang, one green mandarin, one lawn mower blennie (?) and a pair of clowns.
My problem is a rich, rich growth of hair algae. I do not have a protein skimmer, there is no substrate on the bottom, but there is at least 50-60 pounds of live rock. All the levels are either zero or within tolerance.
The size of the tank is 29 Gal.'s. The light stays on at least 12 hours a day. What would happen if I turn off the lights for a couple of days?
This probably isn't enough information for a proper diagnosis, but it's all I have.
Any help would really be appreciated.

 

[krazekajin]

I too have a 29 gallon. First of all, the yellow tang will need a tank of 55 gallons or higher. But I have a small one in my 29 that I bought before I knew better and I am getting a larger tank set up right now.
You could start by turning off the lights earlier. Just keep them on for eight hours. It also sounds like you might need a clean up crew of hermits and snails. I have a six gallon nano tank that had hair algea bad, and I got one turbo snail and poof, the algea is all gone. I would get six or seven turbo snails and let them go to town on the algea.

 

[ophiura]

WELCOME TO THE BOARDS!! :cheer:
We need to start is the basic water parameters of the tank. How often do you do water changes? Do you use tap water? How old are the bulbs in the fixture?

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by KrazeKajin
I too have a 29 gallon. First of all, the yellow tang will need a tank of 55 gallons or higher. But I have a small one in my 29 that I bought before I knew better and I am getting a larger tank set up right now.
You could start by turning off the lights earlier. Just keep them on for eight hours. It also sounds like you might need a clean up crew of hermits and snails. I have a six gallon nano tank that had hair algea bad, and I got one turbo snail and poof, the algea is all gone. I would get six or seven turbo snails and let them go to town on the algea.
Not just the yellow tang I would be worried about, the Green Mandarin too!!!! With only about 50-60 lbs of live rock, I don't think that's enough to supplement pods for that mandarin....how long has it been running??? Like the previous post have said, what type of lighting and how long has it been running? Water changes??? Protein Skimmer would be nice to have! :happyfish

 

[hglumac]

Borrow a kole tang off somone or the LFS for a couple of days...he would love it

 

[kapsix]

First of all I would like to thank every one of you for getting back to my post as quickly as you did.
I will try to reply to all of you.
1.) KrazeKajin = Thanks, turbo snails I'm going to invest in!
2.) ophiura = Well, I haven't done ony water changes at all! As far as the bulbs are concerned, I haven't a clue, but I certainly will find out.
3.) Mikeyjer = I've had the tank for about four months or so, by looking at the replies I've received a larger tank is a must. I breed freshwater fish, angels and the like and have a couple of spare 55 Gallon tanks. My son, as mentioned, gave me the 29 Gallon, but a 55 Gallon is the next step. Now for the basics, should I get a protein skimmer and if so, what should be the specifications I should look for, for say a 55 Gallon. What type of filtering system is suggested? Should I get power heads? Should I plan on getting sand for the substrate or leave it bare? The green mandarin seems to be doing very well, as are the rest of the fish. As far as water changes are concerned, I have well water, when I mix the salt in the water, should I let the water "age" and if so, how long? Or could I just pour it in once the salt disolves and how much of a water change and frequency of water changes?
I know I'm asking too many questions and I really appologize for it.
Thanks for your input.

 

[ophiura]

Really important before you buy any livestock (even the snails) to check the parameters, especially specific gravity and nitrates. If you have not done water changes...there could definitely be reasons you have the hair algae

 

[mikeyjer]

Originally Posted by Kapsix
3.) Mikeyjer = I've had the tank for about four months or so, by looking at the replies I've received a larger tank is a must. I breed freshwater fish, angels and the like and have a couple of spare 55 Gallon tanks. My son, as mentioned, gave me the 29 Gallon, but a 55 Gallon is the next step. Now for the basics, should I get a protein skimmer and if so, what should be the specifications I should look for, for say a 55 Gallon. What type of filtering system is suggested? Should I get power heads? Should I plan on getting sand for the substrate or leave it bare? The green mandarin seems to be doing very well, as are the rest of the fish. As far as water changes are concerned, I have well water, when I mix the salt in the water, should I let the water "age" and if so, how long? Or could I just pour it in once the salt disolves and how much of a water change and frequency of water changes?
Good that you ask questions!!!! Better to ask then to be sorry. A 55 gallon would do for now, 75 would be needed later. I would suggest Aqua C Remora, GREAT skimmer!!!! Yes you should get a powerhead or two for circulation. I suggest Maxi-jets, I use 1200's, but a couple of 900's would do. You can do bare bottom tank as long as you have enough filtration systems going. I just like the looks of sandbed. You can do like 1-2" sandbed. Well water isn't good for this, do you have Water filtration system? Like a Reverse Osmosis filter. RO or RO/DI system is needed for this or you can just buy RO water at Wal-mart's water machines. You should premix your salt in a separate container and aerated with a power head and heated with a heater to your tank's temp over night, then you can do your water changes with it. You should test for your salinity levels since you haven't been doing any water changes. Try to keep your salinity level around 1.025-1.027 Sounds like you'll be needing some cleanup crews, salinity level needs to be where I suggested for inverts. Take your water to your local Fish Shop and have them test it for you. You should be topping off your evaporated water with fresh RO water, NO salt!!! You don't want to add more salt since salt don't evaporate. I would probably suggest at least a 20-25% water change for now since you haven't done it in a while. It all depends where your levels are. Needs to know about Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH, Alkaline, and Calcium for now. :happyfish