Green "Dust" Algae on the Glass

[byoung1519]

:happyfish OK here we go. I have a 20 gallon reef tank in my daughters room that has only been running about 7 weeks. I use an emperor 280 filter, SeaClone protein skimmer, and a set of Orbit lights by current (50/50 and one actinic). I am having this problem with a dusty type green algae that is growing on the glass and is now spreading to my live rock. It wipes right off and is now coming back 3 times a day. Here is the stock list (and yes I know it is a little too much too soon... just had to have Nemo and Dori):
1 small Hippo Tank
2 small Percula Clowns
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
2 Sand Sifting Starfish
5 Snails
1 Turbo Snail
25lbs. live rock
1 Star Polyp Rock
I only have the lights on about 8 hours a day. Is this too much? This is my first saltwater tank... I have 7 cichlid tanks. Now I know why I don't have 7 saltwater tanks!! :yes: Anyway, I am doing 25% water changes once a week with RO water and adding B-Ionic, Strontium, and Iodine twice a week per the intructions. I have some coraline algae growth now and the nitrates are staying below 25ppm. Is this a normal stage, is it the lighting? Ohh!!! My lights are 2 65w bulbs. Thought that might be helpful.
Need all the help I can get.
Thanks,
-Fishboy

 

[mudplayerx]

First of all, I hate to tell ya that your fish tank is horrible overstocked with fish. I'm pretty sure even the smallest of tangs require at the very minimum, a 55 gallon tank with no other fish.
That being said, on to your problem. Do you have test kits for your tank (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph, alkalinity, phosphate, calcium, etc)? I know it sounds like a lot, but they are mandatory! Also, I see that you are adding supplements to your water, do you have test kits for those as well? Never add anything to your tank that you don't have the respective test kit for.
If you have the test kits, what are your water parameters? How much water do you have flowing through the whole system (gallons per hour). You should have about 400-500 gallons per hour in a 20 gallon reef tank.
Are you using tap water for your tank? Thats a really big no-no that leads to uncontrolable algae and diatoms due to phosphates and silicates. You need to use RO or distilled water.
ps- I would get one or two more turbo snails if I were you. I know the store portion of this site recommends only 1 turbo per 20 gallons, but I think that is a very conservative parameter. You can add one more turbo with absolutely no problems.

 

[who dey]

stop adding the iodine it can fuel algae growth. you have way too much bioload in that tank, especially the hippo!!!! he will not live in a 20 gallon tank. lower your bioload, use ro water, use a phosphate sponge and feed everyother day.

 

[drew2005]

I think 25% water changes weekly is a bit much. I would only do 10% at the most weekly. Could be stressing things out a bit.

 

[byoung1519]

I am aware of the overstocked condition but try telling a screaming 3 year old that watched Finding Nemo 3 times a day like it is going out of style that Dori won't fit in her tank. It is only 2" long (had it for 2 weeks) and will be traded in when it gets a little larger. As for the water, I use RO from a local supplier. I do have test kits but not for the Strontium or Iodine. Everything else has been decent. Nitrite and Ammonia are 0. PH was around 8 I think. And my calcium levels were 430??? Thats a guess, haven't checked them in a week. I plan on adding some more turbos tomorrow. Thanks for the input though. Keep them coming.
-Fishboy

 

[byoung1519]

Originally Posted by WHO DEY
stop adding the iodine it can fuel algae growth. you have way too much bioload in that tank, especially the hippo!!!! he will not live in a 20 gallon tank. lower your bioload, use ro water, use a phosphate sponge and feed everyother day.
I am feeding every other day. The hippo has been in there for 2 weeks and is doing well. Feeding him seaweed every other day. I do use RO water... hey on that phosphate sponge like PhosGuard. Does that actually work, I have heard good and bad things.
-Fishboy

 

[byoung1519]

Originally Posted by drew2005
I think 25% water changes weekly is a bit much. I would only do 10% at the most weekly. Could be stressing things out a bit.
I will keep that in mind. I have a buddy that has been maintaining reef aquariums professionally for 10 years and that is what he suggested. I guess I should clarify that I am doing the 5 gallon water changes to prevent the nitrates from getting much above 20ppm. Am I worrying about this too soon?
-Fishboy

 

[byoung1519]

Originally Posted by WHO DEY
stop adding the iodine it can fuel algae growth. you have way too much bioload in that tank, especially the hippo!!!! he will not live in a 20 gallon tank. lower your bioload, use ro water, use a phosphate sponge and feed everyother day.

Iodine, bad. OK. I was adding it as a supplement for the Star Polyps. I will stop using that for now and see how it does... however, is this algae growth normal?? :help:
-Fishboy

 

[who dey]

Originally Posted by BYoung1519
I am feeding every other day. The hippo has been in there for 2 weeks and is doing well. Feeding him seaweed every other day. I do use RO water... hey on that phosphate sponge like PhosGuard. Does that actually work, I have heard good and bad things.
-Fishboy
it works, i run phosban consistantly, it's expensive but worth it

 

[mudplayerx]

I second the notion that 25% is way too much for a weekly change. Heck, some experts say 20% a month is too traumatic for a marine environment.
There are 3 main causes of algae blooms:
1) Insufficient water flow and surface agitation. This condition leads to CO2 saturation. About 75% or more of algae's cellular makeup is carbon. I don't think I have to elaborate on how CO2 poses a problem.
2) Nitrates and phosphates. Having any readable amount of these two chemicals WILL result in algae growth. Algae has been around for millions of years and has evolved to utilize these trace elements so efficiently that ever trace amounts will lead to blooms.
3) Too much lighting. I don't think you have a problem here.

 

[byoung1519]

Originally Posted by mudplayerx
I second the notion that 25% is way too much for a weekly change. Heck, some experts say 20% a month is too traumatic for a marine environment.
There are 3 main causes of algae blooms:
1) Insufficient water flow and surface agitation. This condition leads to CO2 saturation. About 75% or more of algae's cellular makeup is carbon. I don't think I have to elaborate on how CO2 poses a problem.
2) Nitrates and phosphates. Having any readable amount of these two chemicals WILL result in algae growth. Algae has been around for millions of years and has evolved to utilize these trace elements so efficiently that ever trace amounts will lead to blooms.
3) Too much lighting. I don't think you have a problem here.

Thanks again guys, your information has been helpful I will give this a shot and post a reply as to the results. Thanks again. Maybe in a few years I will be in your shoes answering some questions. One can only hope.
Thanks,
-Fishboy

 

[ricks280]

byoung, what on earth are you doing with a tang in a 20 gal! :scared: that fish will stress out big time , will get white spot (ich) will then spread to your clowns and the movie will be over

(jmo)(rick)

 

[tthemadd1]

OK... Lets all take a minute to breathe on this post.
That fine algae is normal in the cycling process especially if you are using tap water with alot of Phosphate in it. You need to check your temp, if it is above 78-80 you are in for serious trouble in a small tank like that.
You really need to get control of the fish pop in that tank. A two inch fish is too big for a tank that small. I cant imagine how much ammonia is being pumped into that tank all day and night from the fish. It isnt that the fish will get bigger, they create a lot of waste. I have a 3 in. Tang in a 55gal and that thing craps like a guinea pig. As soon as my algae bloom is gone I am moving him back to my brothers 200+gal tank.
It is important to create a healthy ecosystem within those glass walls. In a tank that small with that much livestock you are in a constant state of fear. Constant water changes, constant monitoring, the smallest slip and the tank WILL crash. Bring it back to the ocean. You dont see huge fish in small areas because they WILL kill themselves. Try putting a child in a 2ft box, there is bound to be problems.
Take the advice of numerous hobbiest, they will most likely lead you to the right conclusions for the problems you are having.
Good luck,
and Good Fishing
Themadd1

 

[treystang]

I disagree on the 25% is too much. As long as the temp and salinty/ph is perfectly matched, it will not stress anything out.

 

[tthemadd1]

I move water out of my DT into my ten gallon about twice a week. Replacing 50 percent in all. Doesnt bother anyone in the tank...
Good luck
Themadd1

 

[byoung1519]

I am aware that there are too many fish in the tank and I have been considering changing my 55 gallon over to salt as well. This stuff is addicting. Anyway off of the "too many fish" problem and back to the real problem the algae. Have discontinued the use of iodine and have cut the lighting back to 6 hours per day. I also had another set of compact lights with only 1 65watt bulb in it. I have also switched to this temporarily until the algae growth is under control. The protein skimmer is skimming like crazy which is a good thing. I am getting ready to add some Phosphate Sponge of some sort. The temp in this tank is at 80 from the lighting. Switching to this other tank should help this drop atleat 2 degrees. I am also adding some more Turbo snails today. I have to run, gotta check the water.
The other question: Should you run carbon in your system? Some say yes, some say no. Just wanting some opinions.
Thanks again for all your help and concerns.
-Fishboy