Algae explosion!!!!!!!!! Help!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter wayway
- Start date
brandons
Member
I'm new at this so take the suggestion as a grain of salt.
I'm thinking since the new lights are more intense that's what caused it so maybe turn them off for a couple days (if possible) let the algae go away then turn them on for more extended periods each day until everything gets use to them.
May not work, but just my two cents, others will most likely chime in
I'm thinking since the new lights are more intense that's what caused it so maybe turn them off for a couple days (if possible) let the algae go away then turn them on for more extended periods each day until everything gets use to them.
May not work, but just my two cents, others will most likely chime in
bang guy
Moderator
Can you answer a few questions, perhaps we can tailor a solution for you.
1 - How long has the tank been set up?
2 - What fish do you have in there?
3 - What is your filtration system(s)?
4 - How often do you change water?
5 - Are you using RO/DI water?
6 - What are your water parameters? Salinity, Phosphate, Nitrate, etc.
7 - What type(s) of algae are growing out of control?
1 - How long has the tank been set up?
2 - What fish do you have in there?
3 - What is your filtration system(s)?
4 - How often do you change water?
5 - Are you using RO/DI water?
6 - What are your water parameters? Salinity, Phosphate, Nitrate, etc.
7 - What type(s) of algae are growing out of control?
wayway
Member
1. 1 1/2 months
2. I have a 3striped damsel, clarki clown, electric blue damsel, yellow tailed damsel, some ugly fish that I was told was a blue reef chromis but trust me its not. Its like almost a black color and every now and then he will turn kind of purple. also another damsel, (not sure what kind).
3.I have a mechanical filter and a protein skimmer and about 80 pounds of live rock. Also, what would be better, a sump or a canister filter. I want one or the other, just not sure which one.
4.I have'nt done a water change yet, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are at 0ppm, except nitrate, its at 15 ppm.
5.no
6. salinity is 1.023 ph is 8.2 / 8.4 nitrate 15. nitrite is at 0 and ammonia is at 0.
7.Its just a green kinda brown algae. Not sure of the scientific name for it.
2. I have a 3striped damsel, clarki clown, electric blue damsel, yellow tailed damsel, some ugly fish that I was told was a blue reef chromis but trust me its not. Its like almost a black color and every now and then he will turn kind of purple. also another damsel, (not sure what kind).
3.I have a mechanical filter and a protein skimmer and about 80 pounds of live rock. Also, what would be better, a sump or a canister filter. I want one or the other, just not sure which one.
4.I have'nt done a water change yet, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are at 0ppm, except nitrate, its at 15 ppm.
5.no
6. salinity is 1.023 ph is 8.2 / 8.4 nitrate 15. nitrite is at 0 and ammonia is at 0.
7.Its just a green kinda brown algae. Not sure of the scientific name for it.
bang guy
Moderator
Is the algae growing on glass or the rocks.
I small cleanup crew will help in my opinion. I'd suggest a variety of snails and perhaps a few Scarlet Hermits.
I think your major cause is a combination of Phosphate & Silicate but I can't know without having you test. These nutrients definately came from the rock and the initial filling of your tank. The algae was not growing because it was deprived of light.
You have a pretty high stocking level for such a young tank but I don't think it played a part in this algae bloom. It will prevent you from controlling the bloom for quite a while though. The algae was light deprived before and the new lights allowed it to flourish. This is extremely common with new tanks containing live rock.
A series of water changes with RO/DI water will help. If you're going to use tap water the water changes won't help the algae but they will help the fish. Distilled water will also work if RO/DI isn't an option.
If your stocking level were lower I'd also suggest a fun fish called a Lawnmower Blenny but they don't do well with aggressive tank mates.
Is there any way you can set up a seperate tank plumbed into your display tank to grow macro algae in? That could be a good long term solution.
Bang
I small cleanup crew will help in my opinion. I'd suggest a variety of snails and perhaps a few Scarlet Hermits.
I think your major cause is a combination of Phosphate & Silicate but I can't know without having you test. These nutrients definately came from the rock and the initial filling of your tank. The algae was not growing because it was deprived of light.
You have a pretty high stocking level for such a young tank but I don't think it played a part in this algae bloom. It will prevent you from controlling the bloom for quite a while though. The algae was light deprived before and the new lights allowed it to flourish. This is extremely common with new tanks containing live rock.
A series of water changes with RO/DI water will help. If you're going to use tap water the water changes won't help the algae but they will help the fish. Distilled water will also work if RO/DI isn't an option.
If your stocking level were lower I'd also suggest a fun fish called a Lawnmower Blenny but they don't do well with aggressive tank mates.
Is there any way you can set up a seperate tank plumbed into your display tank to grow macro algae in? That could be a good long term solution.
Bang
