Algae question

[jba6511]

I have a 10 gallon that is about 5 weeks old and have noticed a lot of green algae growth in the last week or so. I heard that tanks go through algae blooms when they are first established. Is this is what is happening now? The green algae seems to be on the live rock only and I still have a little bit of diatoms on the glass, even though I cleaned the tank last week. The algae is more noticable with the lights off than with them on. The tank had a water change last sat, and will continue to get 10 % weekly water changes every sat from here on out. All other parameters are fine. The lighting is jus the stock 15w fluro, but I hope to upgrade to something that allows me to do softies asap (see my post in the classifieds if you can help out). They are on for 10 hours a day, but the tank is in my computer room so it also gets light from the monitors, window, etc during the day and the lights in the room are on until about 12:30 normally. For cuc I have 2 astrea snails, 2 margaritta snails, 2 blue leg hermit crabs, and a CBS. Any idea what is causing the algae and what can be done? Sorry for the long post.

 

[mtennant]

You might want to buy more blue leg hermit... Just maybe like 10 more... :thinking: and maybe try to get a phosphate remover media... Thay help me alot..

 

[mtennant]

What do you have in a 10 gallon tank?

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by jba6511
I have a 10 gallon that is about 5 weeks old and have noticed a lot of green algae growth in the last week or so. I heard that tanks go through algae blooms when they are first established. Is this is what is happening now? The green algae seems to be on the live rock only and I still have a little bit of diatoms on the glass, even though I cleaned the tank last week. The algae is more noticable with the lights off than with them on. The tank had a water change last sat, and will continue to get 10 % weekly water changes every sat from here on out. All other parameters are fine. The lighting is jus the stock 15w fluro, but I hope to upgrade to something that allows me to do softies asap (see my post in the classifieds if you can help out). They are on for 10 hours a day, but the tank is in my computer room so it also gets light from the monitors, window, etc during the day and the lights in the room are on until about 12:30 normally. For cuc I have 2 astrea snails, 2 margaritta snails, 2 blue leg hermit crabs, and a CBS. Any idea what is causing the algae and what can be done? Sorry for the long post.
my guess is you've used tap water?? You need to check your phosphate content because thats the fuel for algae in combination with an extended light cycle. Cut back to 6hrs of light a day since you get natural light. WHats your bioload other than inverts you mentioned?

 

[who dey]

is the algae hairy or stays flat like a green neon mask covering ur glass?

 

[nigerian]

Like you said, it's only 5 weeks NEW. But I would also get about 8 more snails, maintaining the filter and just keep up with cleaning the glass until it gets better on its own. I had big algae blooms around 1 month and now I hardly ever clean the glass. And by the way, I use tap water for top off...oops

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by Nigerian
Like you said, it's only 5 weeks NEW. But I would also get about 8 more snails, maintaining the filter and just keep up with cleaning the glass until it gets better on its own. I had big algae blooms around 1 month and now I hardly ever clean the glass. And by the way, I use tap water for top off...oops
big oops!! RODI u won't regret it

 

[jba6511]

i use RODI water to top off but really do not have to do this often since I have a glass hood. I have never used tap water, just salt water that is at 1.023 from the LFS and distilled water from the grocery store to top off. The algae is not hair and the snails will clean it off in random spots on the LR. If I do get more snails, will they get enough to eat after the algae bloom is taken care of? Is there anything else invert wise that I can get to help with the algae that is a bit more fun to watch? Right now my bioload is not to bad. I have a whisper 5-15 filter and a whisper 10 filter both running. It is the kind without the biowheel in addition to 10 pounds live sand and 5 pounds live rock. The whisper 10 filter was added about a week ago. I also have 2 clown fish in the tank as well. I will cut back the lighting to 6 hours for now. What should I do when I get the light for corals though? I most plan to keep softies but will they require a longer period of light exposure? Thanks for the help so far.

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by jba6511
i use RODI water to top off but really do not have to do this often since I have a glass hood. I have never used tap water, just salt water that is at 1.023 from the LFS and distilled water from the grocery store to top off. The algae is not hair and the snails will clean it off in random spots on the LR. If I do get more snails, will they get enough to eat after the algae bloom is taken care of? Is there anything else invert wise that I can get to help with the algae that is a bit more fun to watch? Right now my bioload is not to bad. I have a whisper 5-15 filter and a whisper 10 filter both running. It is the kind without the biowheel in addition to 10 pounds live sand and 5 pounds live rock. The whisper 10 filter was added about a week ago. I also have 2 clown fish in the tank as well. I will cut back the lighting to 6 hours for now. What should I do when I get the light for corals though? I most plan to keep softies but will they require a longer period of light exposure? Thanks for the help so far.
light (no matter how much) = algae sounds like the algae you have is good macro alge which is normal and will be controlled by ur clean up crew. I like to scrape mine with a razor blade if it's too stubborn for the magfloat to get. before you talk corals...WHat specifically is the lighting you have on the tank????

 

[bs21]

chemi-pure or purigen aren't bad products to consider using. I have used chemi-pure and it may help remove some of the stuff causing the algae bloom.

 

[jba6511]

right now its is just the stock 15w. I am looking to purchase a Coralife 96w or maybe a Current USA Orbit or Satellite 2x40 watt.

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by jba6511
right now its is just the stock 15w. I am looking to purchase a Coralife 96w or maybe a Current USA Orbit or Satellite 2x40 watt.
you will need that before you get corals imo

 

[jba6511]

yeah I plan on purchasing the light first. Just doing research now.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

96w + glass hood= heat problem. plan on having fans or micro chiller to help out during upcoming summer months. also i'd go with better filter and wouldn't hurt to get a skimmer either. i have 2x 40 watts, no hood, emperor 280-took off the bio wheel, red sea deluxe prism skimmer (i chose these because they fit perfectly behind the tank) two small power heads (forgot what brand they were)on a 10gal in my office with variable speed fan( i think ice cap?) running 24-7, i have zoo's, chili coral, shrooms, xenia, buttons, star polyps, maroon clown with seabae anemone, yellow wrasse and a yellow watchman goby ( all the fish are small) and they're doing great. it's been up and running over a year now. i'm ordering a microchiller from marine depot but then i'll have to use a canister filter since the microchiller will be in the spot of the emperor. so if the space is limited, u'll have to improvise. good luck with yours :cheer:

 

[jba6511]

The heat issue does have me concerned. I planned to take the glass hood off and run the light mounted as high as possible over the tank. Do you think I will need to pick up power heads to increase the flow in the tank? I am on a budget as I am a college kid and trying to keep everything simple as possible for right now. Also, what exactly does a microchiller do? Thanks

 

[tomtoothdoc]

small powerhead aren't that expensive maxijet 400 is about $12 or powersweep 214 about $14. i like the powersweep for it sweeping action but u gotta clean it every 2 weeks or the sweeping head kept getting stuck

. but again, this add more heat in the tank (~1-2 degree) so you'll need a fan, a small clip on or regular fan blowing the back of the tank will do. the microchiller ( http://www.***********.com/aquarium_...er.asp?CartId= ) is a bit expensive. i just got the delivery yesterday...haven't hook it up yet. don't know if it's worth the money

 

[thud]

Originally Posted by tomtoothdoc
small powerhead aren't that expensive maxijet 400 is about $12 or powersweep 214 about $14. i like the powersweep for it sweeping action but u gotta clean it every 2 weeks or the sweeping head kept getting stuck

. but again, this add more heat in the tank (~1-2 degree) so you'll need a fan, a small clip on or regular fan blowing the back of the tank will do. the microchiller ( xxxxxx ) is a bit expensive. i just got the delivery yesterday...haven't hook it up yet. don't know if it's worth the money

Saltwaterfish.com prohibits posting links to other competing websites!
(not trying to be a jerk, just helpin' them out)