Algae Problems

[matt295]

hi. I havent been on for a long time because of school and everything but i have finally come back. My 50 gallon reef tank has been up for about 6 months now and i have a problem. There seems to be brown algae on my sand which looks really ugly and whenever i stir up the sand and it goes away, its back in a day. its really annoying my, is there anything that will get rid of this? Thanks

 

[matt295]

bump

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Do you have any pictures of it? Most likely diatoms or cynobacteria.

Diatoms feed on silicates which normally get used up once the tank has been up and running for awhile so they then go away.

Have you tested your water recently? If your nitrates or phosphates are high then this would most likely be the cause of the problem.

 

[matt295]

i cant get a pic up but im pretty sure that we have some phosphates in the tank. so ill just have to get rid of the phosphates and it will be gone?

 

[1entra]

Well if phosphates are the only cause for the algae bloom then yes getting rid of them would help solve the problem. Two common methods used to reduce are: 1. Several small partial water changes over the period of a week or 2 can be done until phosphate readings reach 0, or 2. by using phosphate removing chemical media such as phosban or rowaphos!

 

[psycho-killer]

i use phosphate reactor hehe

 

[1entra]

Well a phophate reactor is another option quite often used if you are wlling to part with a bit more cash. My options are abit more cheaper and affordable!

 

[psycho-killer]

 

[matt295]

ok thanks. will probably do the water changes and see if it works. just got some corals about an hour ago, wish i had known this before so i might have gotten some of the reactor or what you said 1entra

 

[tat2life]

is there a window shining onto the tank where the sand gets brown ? i have the same problem... but its only where sunlight hits the tank, the rest of the tank is fine... its on the glass aswell and reappears every few days.... unless i keep the blind down on the window. just get a sand rake or keep shaking up the sand every few days. if theres a window... move the tank or keep the blind/curtains closed all day

 

[SkiFletch]

is there a window shining onto the tank where the sand gets brown ? i have the same problem... but its only where sunlight hits the tank, the rest of the tank is fine... its on the glass aswell and reappears every few days.... unless i keep the blind down on the window. just get a sand rake or keep shaking up the sand every few days. if theres a window... move the tank or keep the blind/curtains closed all day

While correct, that just treats the symptoms, not the route cause which is nutrients

 

[1entra]

Yep get rid of the nutrients that feed the algae and the algae will die from starvation! Also how often do you feed your fish/livestock? Overfeeding can also add nutrients and pollute the water!

 

[matt295]

there isnt a window nearby so it cant be that. i feed my fish about 2-3 times a day but i can try doing littler amounts and i am probably going to do a water change this weekend. thanks so much

 

[tat2life]

ah right i thought it was just to do with the sunlight. il look into killing the nutrients and feed less lol i do over feed a little bit... well only a few flakes each but they never all get eaten neither does the frozen food so il deff cut back see what diffrence it makes

oh btw you might need to do a big water change... i did a 25-30% water change today and it didnt effect the sand or debris at all. maybe it will in a day or 2 who knows. or you could just shake up the sand... then remove water straight after... i should of tried that lol

 

[matt295]

thanks, i will try that probably tomorrow