help algae problem...

[inline643]

Ok lets start with the basics of my setup i hav a 55 gallon saltwater fish only tank (for now) and a flu valve filter and a protein skimmer running on it now. I dont hav a sump right now. I hav a GLO light 54W T5 HO (I'm not sure if thats 54W per bulb). My question is after i do my water change about a week later ill start to get algae blooms and if i leave my light on too long it increases the amount of algae i get along the glass the whole tank is sometimes covered in algae if i dont stay on top of my cleanings. Is there a reason i get soo much algae growning on my tank and it is because of the light i have? Any suggestions on what i can do to control the algae growth.
~Thanks for reading. Yours Truely...

Inline643

 

[jdl]

either feeding too much
too much nitrates/phosphates from your water (is it tap water?)
too much light
1. put a timer on your lights. This way they come on and go off the same time every day.
2. if you are using tap, change to RO or DI water
3. Dont feed as much
you can also use a reactor with GFO, that can really help with algae issues, but you dont have a sump so adding equipment isnt going to be easy.

 

[inline643]

my light is only on for about 5 hours a day and its at night form lik 5-10 and it is on a timer. i use tap water but i put it through a Tap water filter and Deionizes the water. and i only feed my fish once a day and its a small cube of frozen brine.

 

[jdl]

Originally Posted by inline643
http:///forum/post/3004305
my light is only on for about 5 hours a day and its at night form lik 5-10 and it is on a timer. i use tap water but i put it through a Tap water filter and Deionizes the water. and i only feed my fish once a day and its a small cube of frozen brine.
get a TDS meter and see what your water is before and after the filter. You want it to be 0 for DI, single digits for RO before you put it in your tank.

 

[bizzmoneyb]

im guessing its your tap water. what kind of filter do you use?
algae feeds off of excess nutrients in the water.
feed less. increase the flow in your tank (more or bigger powerheads).
decrease the amount you feed. do more frequent water changes.
how old are the bulbs in your light? old bulbs can help algae growth. i think T5 bulbs are good for 8-10 months.