algae takeover

[utahcutter]

ok, so my tank has been running for 6 months. it's 80 gallons with only a blue chromis damsel, yellow tang, and a sleeper goby in it. in the past month the algae has gone crazy, and is causing the tank to start to smell. i need some suggestions on how to clean up the algae. right now i am running an aquaclear powerhead, and a sandman filter. fish are only being fed what they will eat immediatly, and the light is kept off for the majority of the day. wondering if a different filter might help water flow, or perhaps a po4 granule?

 

[jarvis]

check nitrate and phoshate.

 

[aarone]

you only have one source of water movement in your 80 gallon. You need to have at least two or three more Powerheads.
I have 2 in my 30 gallon.
The lights arent really gonna be a problem unless they are out of spectrum (old)
Like jarvis said, check nitrate and phosphate, both major causes of algae. What kind of algae is it also?

 

[michaeltx]

that or did you just change to new bulbs the addition to new spectrum can cause an outbreak as well .
but like aarone said what kind of algae will help determine a course of action.
Mike

 

[dreeves]

What kind of water are you using?

 

[utahcutter]

hey guys,
thanks for the help. i've been thinking about adding another powerhead to the tank anyway, so i just might do that. Also it is a dark really slimey type of algae. not an algae expert, but that's the best description I can give. the lights should be fine. I started the tank up with them and they were new at the time. The water in the tank is from a well, but I have never had problems with it before. I've had fresh water tanks for as long as i can remember, and they have stayed extremely clean really. i have noticed that there is a decrease in water flow through the filter. the sandman uses a carbon pad, and i think this must be getting full of junking and not pushing the water through like it should. wondering if there are any recommendations for a new filter. will test water for nitrate and phosphate soon, haven't had time to do that yet. again, thanks for you replys.

 

[utahcutter]

thanks for all the advice. i tested for nitrate, it was around 40, so I did a fairly massive water change. (i know small water changes more frequently are better.) take conditions have significantly improved. i'm just used to my fresh water ones that are extremely low maintenance compaired to sw.