Too Much Algae?

[Eversurf]

There is this stuff I use for my PH I can't remember the name but it is a powder that comes in a clear bottle with a purple label. Add the recommended amount and that will bring and keep your tank at 8.3.

This is what is going on with your tank. Bunch of debris and die from the rock turned into amonia, then Nitrite and then Nitrate. Nitrogen Cycle. You have plenty of bacteria to make the conversion since your rocks didn't dry most of the bacteria stayed alive. That's why you are seeing 0 for Amonia and Nitrite The only way to get the Nitrate out is to make a water change. I bet your number for the Nitrate is actually higer than that because the algea feed off the Nitrate.

At this point your water doesn't look super bad.

I would recommend making two water change a week about 30% each time.


-Surf

 

[sorgan]

Dosing a tank with out knowing exactly what your adding and why will end in tears.

Hair algae is a #28### to clear, do a seffie says or bung in an algae machine like a sea hair (sea if you can borrow rather then buy as when it's finished all the algae in your tank it will starve)

Really tho there may be an underlining problem that needs to be addressed, get that nitrate gone as it won't be helping and even tho you didn't get a reading for phosphate doesn't mean it's not there, the algae may of just soaked it up.

How old are you lights? Old tubes can cause algae blooms
Is the tank in direct sun at any time I the day?
Do you run rowaphos or any other kind of phosphate removed?
What's your feeding regime?
What's your flow like?

 

[woody88]

I replaced the lamps for new ones.
The tank isn't in direct sunlight as it's far away from window
I have a media bag of rowaphos and a separate bag of LR rubble
I feed my fish once a day with a tiny amount of flake food at the mo
Regarding flow i have the standard spray bar blowing the top of the water as well as the rock and also have a koralia nano 900 powerhead blowing the other side of the rock.

Are there any additives I can add to the water that will combat the algae without upsetting my water parameters or the fish?

 

[seffieuk]

Are there any additives I can add to the water that will combat the algae without upsetting my water parameters or the fish?

No, good old elbow grease and getting the water right and having an excellent cuc will all work long term.

Now, get that rock out and start plucking!!

Seffie x

 

[woody88]

Are there any additives I can add to the water that will combat the algae without upsetting my water parameters or the fish?

No, good old elbow grease and getting the water right and having an excellent cuc will all work long term.

Now, get that rock out and start plucking!!

Seffie x

Was going to. Then I got a call saying I can have their sea hare. Once he's done his job I'll offload him back to angel aquatics

 

[ozzie2011]

Sea hares are generally nocturnal so catching them isnt always as easy as you think

Also they can go awol for days at the back of your tank, however they can also die and therefore you might not notice until its too late.

The Sea Hare may secrete or releases toxins that may kill fish in the aquarium. The species may release toxic compounds when stressed, or release toxic compounds when it dies. It is important to handle this species with care at all times and to never keep it with species that may attempt to harm it. It is possible for the toxic secretions to poison an entire aquarium.

Most importantly is to find the cause not a remedy.

Just take care

 

[seffieuk]

I have to agree with Ozzie - however we do know the cause, lack of maintance. Once you start proper maintance, get your water right things will get better.

I would still go with taking the rock out and plucking

Leave the seahares for large, mature tanks

Seffie x

ps if you do get him, he will need careful and a long acclimatisation

 

[woody88]

Ok I have the sea hare. He currently in a bag at the top of my tank. I plan to leave him in there for a while and then slowly introduce the tank water to him. I will be keeping a close eye on him. If there is no change in algae levels in a couple of days then I'll assume something is up and take him to lfs. Is there anything I need to do or look out for while he's in there on top of what you said.

Thanks for your help! It's nice to know I can get good advice on here. If this don't work then I'll proceed with seffie's plan. Elbow grease!

 

[ozzie2011]

No worries. Hares are like little lawn mowers only they will go where they want to and rarely where you want them to go. I used to have a tank with the rocks full of hair algae and I introduced a sea hare, for the first few days he lived on the glass

Anyway, even though you are planning on putting him in I would also do what Seffie said and scrub the rocks now, it wont take too much time.

Also have you a diary going as its hard to suggest a prevention such as a phos reactor if we dont know what equipment your running.

 

[seffieuk]

Do a good two hour, acclimatisation Woody, every five minutes put a tea cup of tank water in the bag/bucket (if you are not dripping).

before putting him in turn the tank lights off and check the sg of the bag and your tank - more stock are lost at this stage than any other due to the sg change/shock

seffie x

 

[ozzie2011]

Do a good two hour, acclimatisation Woody, every five minutes put a tea cup of tank water in the bag/bucket (if you are not dripping).

before putting him in turn the tank lights off and check the sg of the bag and your tank - more stock are lost at this stage than any other due to the sg change/shock

seffie x

To make you feel better I will agree with you this time

 

[woody88]

Bloody hell! These seahare don't hang about! Just fully introduced him to the tank and he's started his shift already.

 

[sorgan]

Great things really, I wouldn't worry about them releasing toxins either, if it (heaven forbid) does croak a good water change and carbon soon sorts it out.
The ink from a sea hare isn't usually toxic (some are though) but is an irritant to gills and especially filter feeders but tbh so long as it's eating and isn't being attacked (shrimp seem to like to bully them) then it will carry on with it's life goal, to eat all the worlds algae.

I will say though that once it's done please pass it on as it will starve in an algaeless tank, mine was active all the time and could always be found so it shouldn't be to hard to find it. If you do have trouble just borrow some algae from someone and the #28### will smell it from a mile of and jump out.
I love sea hares and miss mine alot, sadly I have no need for one now.

 

[spadge]

once this sea hare has done its job, would you guys recomend any specific cuc? i currently have a 200lt setup and am slwly building up my cuc, i have 5 cerith snails which have taken care of the startings of hair algae as well as 3 scarlt herimts and a sand sifting star fish(which i know do alot), i was thinking of a dragon goby to clean the sand, but do you guys have any particular favourites to accomodate for everything else in the tank (almost everything) eg algae, food left overs etc sorry to jump in on your thread just curious as to maintain a high standard long term (as well as regular maintainance and hard work).

PS reef safe (tolerable) as i eventually want my tan to evolve into a reef tank.

thanks

sorry re: the sar fish that meant to say DONT do a lot, im blaming my laptop on the typo's lol

 

[ozzie2011]

Hi Spadge, best bet is create a journal. Tell us what equipment, stock age etc your running and people will be able to give suggestions better such as phosphate reactors and will often help sort out algae issue before they arise

Hey Sorgan, agree with your post too regarding the hares but for new people its always best to be aware especially those with low volume tanks