Algea growth on SAND!!

[cbdrako99]

Hello all,
I have had my fish only tank running for about 7 months now. Everything seems to have stabilized except for the green algae growth on my sand. I would like to have white sand like most of the tanks that I have seen, but cannot seem to attain this goal.
I have a 58 Gallon Oceanic with 5 fish, 3 crabs, 1 anemone, 1 shrimp ,5 hermits, 1 sand sifter, about 10 snail of different varieties. All of my water test seem to be okay.
ammonia .25
nitrite 0ppm
ph 8.1
nitrate 40-45
I would greatly appreciate some information on how to control the algae. Another thing is that when the light is off in the evening hours the algae will sometimes almost disappear, but after the light is on for most of the day the algae is back in force. If you would like for me to post some pics - I would be more than happy to.
Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[sly]

There are several options/solutions that I can think of that are listed in order...
Your lights should be on for about 12 hrs per day. If you have them on much longer they you may want to reduce that.
If your lights are old (older than 1 year) then the spectrum will shift and cuase more algae growth. Replace your bulbs.
You may have too little light or the wrong type of light. You need aquarium bulbs, 10000k, actinics, etc. Don't use grow lights. 5 watts per gallon is typical of reef tanks but since your's is FO then you may do well with 2-4 watts per gallon.
If you are getting direct sunlight on your tank find a way to eliminate it.
Your nitrates are a little high. Consider a water change and vacuum your substrate.
If you have any foam filter blocks or filter floss, they may need rinsing out to clean them from any built up junk.
Add more living rock and they will remove nitrates and ammonia better.
Get a protein skimmer if you don't have one.
Consider getting an angel fish that will graze on the algae.
Turbo snails work wonders.
Increase oxygenation by adding some power heads to blow oxygenated water across your sand.
You may consider buying a UV unit to kill algae spores.
Add some macro algae to the tank to absorb the excess nutrients that the algae seem to be growing off.

 

[zanemoseley]

^^^^^ great tips
Only thing I can say is vacuuming substrate is a bad idea if you have sand as its going to vacuum up the sand, the only substrate you should need to vacuum is CC which is not reccomended to use in the first place. I also don't know if I'd reccomend pointing a power head at the sand because most powerheads only create a high flow stream which is gonna create large dunes in your sand which is a PITA to smooth back out.

 

[cbdrako99]

I will try all of these things. I know that the light has to be over a year, so that will be replaces right away!!
Thanks Again

 

[bigarn]

You can also try a Phosphate sponge in your filter.