Brown/Green Algae Problem
- Thread starter el bob
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
lol, MH bulbs do not get old, generally they cycle. Periods of on and then off, that's when you know to replace them.
Assuming that you don't have phosphates, nitrates could potentially cause the problem. If you don't have a freakin' awesome protein skimmer, I recommend getting one. stir some up before you perform a water change.
I hope this helps.
Assuming that you don't have phosphates, nitrates could potentially cause the problem. If you don't have a freakin' awesome protein skimmer, I recommend getting one. stir some up before you perform a water change.
I hope this helps.
ledzep fan
Active Member
Check your nitrates, also cut back on the lights. And, a test kit saying there are no phospates, doesn't mean that there are none in there. The algae might be using it up. I had the same problem. Good luck
el bob
Member
snakeblitz.........MH bulbs do get old. when they are new they produce light at the blue end of the spectrum and as they age the tend to produce light in the red end of the spectrum which is highly conducive for growing algae. you should change your lights ever year. I dont think that my skimmer is the problem, I have a korallen zucht skimmer. My light cycle has been the same for a year and a half now and have only just begun to grow algae so thats not the problem. I dont think that I could have phosphates because my sps colonies would not have good PE and would be losing color. Also I use a four part RO/DI unity and I replaced the filters last month. But if nitrates can cause abundant algae growth, I guess that could be the problem because I did add 3 fish at one time which could mess with my tank. It probably just need to adjust to the new biological load that has been placed on it. Sound right?
trippkid
Active Member
Yes, it can. I'd say if it is above 10ppm, you may see some effects of excess algae growth, just my opinion. I try to keep the Nitrate in my tank under 10, shooting for zero, but kind of hard with the fish and the sand bottom.
I'm sorry, but what is a LMB? I can't put it together. Do you have any hermits to eat it or snails. Dose it grow "tall" or just in a "mat"?
Matt
Matt
trippkid
Active Member
I am so stupid sometimes, LMB, should have popped right in. I know, I used to have my trigger in my reef(now lives in my refugium), about eating the clean up crew. Have you tried trimming it back and putting some snails right on the stuff, sometimes if it is too long they can't really get at it to eat, same thing with the tangs possibly. My two, a yellow and a hippo, also have a parrotfish that eats any excess algae in the tank along with my clean up crew. I would maybe get more of a mix of clean up critters if possible. Some different types of snails if the hermit don't survive long enough, I also have a tuxcedo urchin and a unidentified spiny one(only comes out at night). I think maybe a little more diversity in the clean up crew should take care of it, at least keep it under control for you, IMO.
Matt
Matt
el bob
Member
well then i might have to go and pick up an urchin and some more blue leg hermits. funny thing though, i tested my nitrates and i do not have any at all..0 ppm. all my parameters are perfect, i double checked myself and even had my lfs do it as well. I dunno where the hell it is coming from. I guess ill just go pick up some more fish/inverts to clean up as well as pull some of the algae myself.