Algae Prob

[eadavis]

hi i used to have several reef tanks years back and i just recently set up a new tank i have a skimmer and fluval filtration and i am starting to get some algae growing on the sand, live rock, and glass and i was wondering if anyone know how to get rid of it..... I set this tank up 2 weeks ago. it is brown in color and there are multi. spots

 

[milkton]

one way is to buy seaweed from LFS, they absorb phosphates which power the growth of the algae. people also say they absorb nitrates (seaweed) not sure though

 

[AK77]

Its just the tank cycling and the natural algae blooms that ensue. If you don't have anything in the tank that requires light, you could just switch the lights off, which will have a big impact on the algae growth.

There are a multitude of snails that will feed on the algae. If you don't already have some, pick up a mixture of trochus, astrea, cerith and vibex snails. I have a conch in my nano tank, which has done a great job of dealing with algea on the sandbed. I decided to go for the conch over the vibex snails. I also target feed the conch on occassions, just to ensure it is getting fed, as they have a huge appetite and will quickly work their way through your sandbed. Hermit crabs will also feed on the algae. If you don't already have one, now is the time to introduce your CUC.

Algae will feed on nitrates and phospates. You can introduce macro algaes like chaetomorpha as they will compete with the cyanobacteria for nutrients. You could also run phosban in a pouch in your fluval.

External filters can often be a cause of nitrates, as the sponges get clogged and add to the levels in the tank. People who run external filters, commonly remove the filter media and replace it with live rock rubble, or use the canister as a reactor for activated carbon / phosban.

Keep an eye on your nitrate and phosphate levels with a decent test kit. Salifert is generally regarded as one of the best manufacturers of these. If your levels are high, large water changes will help reduce them. Testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates is important before introducing livestock. Ideally ammonia and nitrite should be at 0 with a low level of nitrates. If keeping corals or inverts, its important to keep nitrates at a minimum.

 

[seffieuk]

It's a really simple answer - it's just diatoms a normal part of everyone's cycle - when you put your cuc in they will make short work of it (only of course after the cycle has finished and your nitrates are <10

Seffie x

 

[jtnova13]

yah, if you have an extra hob, you can throw some rowaphos in there, or run it in your fluval along with filter floss and live rock rubble!