Never ending Algae battle

[jo118]

MY tank is fairly new; about 5 months old.... it is a FO tank, and decorated with large fake corals. Algae grows on the walls, dolomite, and eventually on my rocks covering them completely. I use tap water. I take out all my rocks and bleach them now and then, but the problem is persistent. How do i attack this problem?

 

[azaintcold]

- I use tap water.
This is most likely a big contributor. Phosphates etc. It would be helpful to invest in a reverse osmosis system like the typhoon reefkeeper III , etc. This would probably get rid of some headaches.

 

[monalisa]

Originally Posted by JO118
MY tank is fairly new; about 5 months old.... it is a FO tank, and decorated with large fake corals. Algae grows on the walls, dolomite, and eventually on my rocks covering them completely. I use tap water. I take out all my rocks and bleach them now and then, but the problem is persistent. How do i attack this problem?
You've actually already stated what the problem is. You're using tap water. If you want to get serious about attacking the algea, you will want to switch to RO or RO/DI. Wal Mart sells RO water for about .37 gallon if you can't invest in an RO unit at this time.
Other things you can check out is the amount and frequency of feedings. You may be overfeeding the tank and will want to cut back on that. Also, how long are your lights on during the day? If battling algea, it's not uncommon to cut back the lights to about 6-8 hours per day...hmmm, what else. Also, if the tank is in direct sunlight, that will contribute to algea. Well, I'm sure there's probably more things to look at, hopefully others will chime in.
Best of luck to you. Post pics!!
Lisa :happyfish

 

[saltfan]

I use tap water and have used tap water for a very long time.....If your serious, you need to double up on the algea attack packs...Urchins (tuxedos) and the likes do the trick....Trust me, when I say double up on them, they live on algea, so they will keep it to managable levels.

 

[squirelshooter]

I had a similar problem. I would invest in a R/O it really does help.

 

[symon]

RO and a better cleanup crew! Also taking out you rocks and bleaching them is a bad bad thing, Your tank will never stabilize like that!
As stated before, cut back on feeding, lighting cycle, If you keep using tap water, atleast make it up days ahead this will help some too
Good Luck! Alge is tough to beat once it has taken hold!

 

[aquaguy24]

what kind of algae is it..might be coralline algae..i had hair algae on one of my rocks that the cleanup will not eat i even tried putin a snail right on the algae..still doesn't work so i just fliped the rock over... problem sovled..u can uv sterilizer,more water changes. better clean up crew like more snails..