Algae!!! Help

[swnewbie]

Boy, do I have an algae problem. The stuff is covering everything, and is making my tank look not so good. It's a green filament type of algae. I am doing regular water changes, and my parms are good.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to combat this stuff?
Thanks.

 

[gfk]

a couple of emerald crabs
but you should get a cleanup crew too with some snails and other crabs

 

[swnewbie]

Originally posted by gfk
a couple of emerald crabs
but you should get a cleanup crew too with some snails and other crabs
Got lots of snails, and several crabs, including emerald crabs.
I'm at a loss....

 

[mudplayerx]

The most limiting factor of microalgae growth is phosphates in the tank. Phosphates are a combination of phosphorous and oxygen. The problem is that phosphates are in just about everything you put into the tank from supplements to fish food.
Do yourself a favor and buy a phosphate test kit and test every week. If you have more than 1.0 phosphates you will need to do water changes. If you have less than 1.0 you can buy a commercial phosphate absorbing resin like phos-guard.
Keep in mind that if you have corals, phosphates are poisonous to them. In fact, many professionals refer to phosphates as "crystal poison".
Also, take a bucket and fill it with the purified water that you use for topoffs. Test it for phosphates.....it should read zero.
If you use supplements in your tank water, add a dose of each of them to the water and the phosphates should still read zero after another test.
If either the water or supplements test positive for phosphates, it is time to start looking elsewhere for water/supplements.

 

[salty cheese]

Define "good" i.e. actual test results.
Do you use RO/DI water or tap?
What kind of lighting do you have and how old?
What is your lighting schedule?
Is the tank exposed to sunlight?

 

[goldenboy]

I second the phosphate test...

 

[salty cheese]

Originally posted by goldenboy
I second the phosphate test...
I second, second guessing:notsure: