Dark Green Algae

[joer]

I am having an algae bloom in a 2 1/2 month old tank of green algae. I have a cleaning crew of 20+ hermit crabs, both scarlet and blue leg, 20 turbo's, emerald crab, 4 sand sifting snails, cleaner shrimp and one perc, one maroon. By the way the tank is 20 gal. 10 lbs live rock and more to come. For some reason the cleaning crew wont touch this dark green algae. They have taken care of everything else but this. What kind of algae is this. Is my tank in danger? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Joe

 

[jim672]

JoeR,
Welcome to the Board! Sorry you have to post your first post about a problem!
Lots of questions back at you: What filtration do you have in addition to the live rock? What is your substrate: Live sand or crushed coral? What lighting do you have and how long is it on? How much and how often do you feed your fish? Is the lagea on the glass and rock or actually in the water? Do you use RO/DI water or tap water for top-offs and water changes?
Jim

 

[joer]

I have a biowheel for my filtration that pumps 150+ gals per hour. Crushed Coral substrate but it was saved from a previous tank that had been established for 2 years. Right now I have just two 18 inch florescents. both coral life. one 50/50 and second 10k. Set on a timer for 8 hours of daylight. And I feed a flake mix with algae and spirulina once a day, small portion. and a small portion of frozen brine later in the day. Not always. Usually everyother day. I also have one haitian anenomae that my little perc just loves. No corals yet, waiting for my next purchase of lights...
Oh yeah, the algae is only growing on the rocks and substrate. Not on the glass. Maybe the snails are taking care of it. Dunno. But the hermits aren't unless its just growing to fast for them to consume it.

 

[jim672]

JoeR,
Okay, we're starting to get somewhere, I think
Have you tested your water for nitrates and phosphates?
Where do you get your water from: tap, bottles or other?
Algea occurs where there is food and light for it. "Food" for algea is nitrates, phosphates and/or silicates. Tap water can contain silicates which will feed algea. If you're using tap water get some Reverse Osmosis/Dionized water from a grocery store or a place like WalMart.
Crushed coral can absorb phosphates and leach them back into your system feeding algea. Most people on this Board like to use live sand as a substrate. Get a phosphate test kit and if your water indicates high levels, consider removing the cc and replacing it with live sand.
Right now you don't have anything that requires light. Your lights are on so you can view the tank, right? If so, reduce the photo period....maybe cut it in half......have the lights on when you're home to view the tank but off the rest of the day. Also, flourescent bulbs need to be replaced about every 6 months. Beyond that period their intensity changes and may actually cause more algea growth. Check to see how old your are and replace as necessary.
Some steps to get you started. Good luck.
Jim