Algea

[saltydog21]

I am being over run with the stuff. I have two Tangs, several crabs,wrasse,angel fish.
I leave my lights on for 8 hrs, I use test strips to check my water and it all seems to be fine.
What can cause such a growth of alge and how can I keep it under control.
I look at other setups here on the net and I can get mine to look like those.

 

[tangs123]

well what type of algea is it and have you ever tested for phosphates
and do you run a protein skimmer?

 

[travis89]

Also what are your nitrate levels and do you use RO or tap water? How much and how often do you feed? Algae is caused by having excess nutrients in the water which causes high nitrates and phosphates which cause algae.

 

[saltydog21]

:jumping: :jumping: I have a 70 gal with live sand. The tank I have came with a built in sump, it containns the following compartments.
Heater, pre-filter compartment and then a compartment with the power head attached to a pipe and that all sits in another fabric type filter. Then there is a skimmer that has an airstone that creates bubbles and then the bubbles push the crub into a palstice box that I empty as needed. Should this be taken out and something else put in its place. What do you recommend?
I feed the fish twice a day. Never tested for phospates.
I use tap water that is run through a watersoftner. Which when it comes out is basicly ro water.
I have string Algea,and another type that is light green and is growing over all my live rocks

 

[laddy]

Could be a combination of all those things. You can control algae blooms with a combination of limiting photo period of your lights, not over feeding, and increasing the water flow in your tank. I'd start with testing for phosphates in your top off water and main display.

 

[rusting]

Originally Posted by saltydog21
I am being over run with the stuff. I have two Tangs, several crabs,wrasse,angel fish.
I leave my lights on for 8 hrs, I use test strips to check my water and it all seems to be fine.
What can cause such a growth of alge and how can I keep it under control.
I look at other setups here on the net and I can get mine to look like those.

You may need to change your bulbs.