Help... huge algae problem

[pittsburgh23]

New tank, about 2-3 months old. Cycled. I added an angel, pseudochromis, a lawnmower blenny, and clown, along with a cleaner shrimp and a peppermint, 3 turbos and 5 hermits. (2 blue legs, 2 scarlets, and one other un-id'd)
Tank is 37gal high. 50-75lb LR 20lb LS and 40 lb dead sand. I just added 2 new lights a week ago one is Reef Sun(18W) and the other is a life glo(20W). Since these lights, I've had brown algae grow everywhere. Seems the cleanup crew cant keep up. I also will be doing a water change later today.
So, my questions are:
So I need a larger clean up crew?
Should I do more water changes? (Currently 25% a month)
Do I have too many fish?
Are these bulbs ok?
Other info... I have 2 powerheads (402 anda 301), a penguin bio, Sea Clone Skimmer... I think thats it. I hope I gave all the info needed to help me.
Oh, I also feed once a day and all the food is eaten up in like 30 seconds or less. I use about 1/4th a cube of this frozen omnivore stuff.
My lights are on from 11am-10pm and the tank gets almost no direct sunlight. The fish all seem healthy and are getting along great together.
One more question... My flagfin angel seems to have a small spot of ick on one of his fins. Whats the best thing I can get to treat it. I don't have a QT. The cleaner shrimp is ALWAYS cleaning him, but a weeks gone by and its still there. Not, growing, but still there.
Thanks in advance. I know I've asked a lot of questions.
Nathan

 

[acez28]

well some here might say something about the angel being in that new of a tank but i wont. But i have heard that when there is a change in lighting you will get an outbreak in algae. Try doing a 10% water change weekly and make sure to use RO/DI water. And yes i would try to get a much much larger cleanup crew.

 

[jlem]

#1 try doing 10 gallons every other week with ro/di water. I use the glacier water machines which is only 25 cents a gallon and is pure as you could want. By doing water changes every other week instead of every month you cut down on the changes that the tank goes through throughout the month. Also you can pretty much stop using any additives or trace elements that you may be using because the frequent water changes keeps them up.
#2 feed your fish garlic and vitamins. I use the minced garlic in a jar and selcon. My fish look great and have not showed any signs of ick for over a year since I started the garlic routine.
#3 run your light no more than 8 hours aday. unless the tank is in a closet then it sjould get indirect light from sunup to sunset, and unless you have a reef then you really are running the lights that much for viewing pleasure. I have always ran 10k bulbs with an actinic bulb and really like the look.
#4 your tank is pretty young and brown algae is usually part of the process. I would not add anymore of a bioload until your tank matures more. keep up the good work and you can never ask to many questions. But take the advice given because nothing is more annoying than giving good advice to see a thread a week later on why someones 5 new fish and corals in their 20 gallon tank with NO lighting are dying after being advised not to do it in the first place. Sounds like you are on the right track so good luck with your tank and keep the questions coming

 

[brewercm]

I keep hearing about using garlic (never have). You spoke of using minced garlic in the jar. Is this the same as what you can get from the grocers or different. I've seen the stuff at the pet stores and was just wondering if there is any difference.

 

[jlem]

I have used both the Mckormicks pure garli juics and used the pure garlic in a jar that looks almost like a thick paste. I mix up food for 2 weeks time and refreeze the mixture. I use a measuring spoon that is marked " just a pinch " and put in two of those worth of garlic into the mixture and 1 mil of selcon with brine shrimp and emerald entries.