Gone to hell....

[maxx]

Hey there people.
Ive got a major issue with my tank. In the last 3 weeks all the live rock, and substrate, has been completely covered in various alages. Red SLime, green slime, brown slime, hair algaes. I've tested my water, and it seems fine. I've done 2 water changes, and have gotten nothing. NOw I have a 60 gallon eye sore. What can I do to bring back what I've had??? I think it may be teh water ive been using. That and I replaced my bulb on my PC. Thats the only thing ive dont different. Thanks for the help
Maxx

 

[kris]

have you tested your water supply for nitrates and phosphates?? Both big factors.
Also the lighting I know plays a big part, but perhaps someone else can elaborate on that issue. I've heard that both too much or too little light will effect the algae growth. Don't know for sure how one would tell what exactly is "just right light".
How old is your tank?

 

[drummerboy]

The phosphates and nitrates are important (even though it's what everyone asks), along with what are you replacing your water with? Are you using ro, or tap? But I will tell you that in my experience I had 0's on both phos. and nitrates, and when I changed my lighting the tank just exploded with algae. There was nothing I could really do but keep cleaning it out. The good news (at least in my experience, but I cannot say the same will happen for you) was that in a month it all went away except for the green hair algae. I did use "Red Slime Remover" that took care of all the slime algae, but the diatom bloom did go away by itself.
Another thing you may want to think about is a refugium. I haven't gotten mine set yet, but if the macro algae uses all the nutrients, then the algae in the tank will naturally die.

 

[nm reef]

Its been my experience that several factors can play into algae blooms.
Phosphates and nitrates can contribute. Excess feeding can be a source of problems. The type of water used for top-offs and water changes can contribute. The bio-load on your system can lead to excessive nutrients. The lighting can cause blooms also...either old lighting that is going out of spectrum or new lighting that feeds existing poor conditions. As for the solution to your problem its really hard to say without additional specific info on your system.