Algae Problem!

[Dt524]

Help please I have a brown algae bloom. My tank has been set up four 3 months and algae is starting to grow everywhere how do I get rid of it? The tank is 29 gallons with a 3 striped Damsel. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Dt524

 

[maidenfan]

welcome to nano section i'm not sure what your set up is so if you could give us some details we may be able to help i would think your algea prob is either diatoms or cynobacteria

have a look at this linkhitchikers and algea

 

[bunjiweb]

Alot of the time brown algae blooms are caused by not enough flow. What flowrate do you have in the tank? Also have you checked for phosphate levels?

Ben

 

[Dt524]

The last on that link looks exactly like what I have in my tank. Jist not as bad. Is there anything that will eat the stuff?

I have 2 powerhead 201. I dont think it's enough because theres a dead spot near the front corner. I havent checked my phospates so i will get on that.

 

[maidenfan]

what clean up crew do you have ?

how do you filter the water?

in a tank your size 110 litres approx you need at least 10x the volume water movement so you should be using powerheads with combined movement of 1100lph at least

 

[SkiFletch]

Cyanobacteria at 3 months is a very common occurrence in the marine world. In my oppinion, cyano is most often caused by inadequate lighting, high phosphates, high dissolved organic compounds or a combination of the above.

Treatment for cyanobacteria is unfortunately often very difficult because very few cleanup crew members eat it. I've seen my Cerith snails go after it and I've also read reports of people's Astrea or Trochus snails eating cyanobacteria, yet mine do not. Eliminating the source of the nutrients that the cyano thrives on should be your longterm goal though. Increase water change volume/frequency, feed less, skim, use RO water with a verified TDS of less than 10ppm, add a refugium, and wait...