LOTS OF ALGAE OF LIVE ROCK!

oxtim12345

Member
Hello Everyone. Is there anyway to get the Algae off my live rocks. I have Marshall island live rock and when i first bought it was nice with purple bacheria (spelling). Now they have green ugly algae on them. Any advise? Thanks
 

flydan

Active Member
Hey,
Really need more info. Is it coraline algae, hair algae, or something else? Reducing nutrients in the water will help as well as reducing the amount of time your lights are on. Do you have a good clean up crew? How much lr do you have? How often to you feed your fish and how many fish do you have?
Anyway, the more info you can give us the more help you'll get.
 

twoods71

Active Member
If you dont already have a clen up crew (snails, crabs, ect) get one. Those little critters will help.
Also check your water conditions. High phosphates and nitrates will really make the algae take off.
A little algae is good but when it starts getting out of control and taking over everything then there is a problem.
 

oxtim12345

Member
It's green algae on my LR's. I have about 40 to 50 pounds of live rock in the tank. Most of the algae is on the top rocks. I think i'll turn off the lights during the day. Also no clean up crew (can they take the algae of the rocks?) if so which one's. I have about 6 small fish right now in my 70 gal tank and i feed them flakes in the morning and a meaty food at night.
 

sonny

Member
Get a clean up crew with red-legged and blue legged hermits, and snails. Also, do you have any tangs in your tank? They eat algae. I like the desjardini, purple, and sohol tangs, but the sohol is usually aggressive. Lawnmower blennies love algae too. Also, what are your alkalinity and calcium levels? Low alkalinity and calcium will help problem algae instead of coralline algae. Try a 2-part calcium buffer system like Kent's Tech CB or Two little fishies c-balance. Check phosphate and nitrate levels. They should be as low as possible. If they are high, try a phosphate sponge in your sump. If you have high nitrates, do several water changes a few days apart. Phosphates are a common cause, and if you don't have a phosphate test kit, you need one soon. Test your source water (tap water or RO water), and if that's got it in there, you need a Deinonization filter on the RO unit. Another source of phosphates is fish food. If you feed too heavily, then you need the sponge I mentioned.
Good luck
Sonny
 
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