Algae and clean up crew

[bmarine]

I have a 29 gallon reef tank with two AI Primes for lighting. I've been struggling with a lot of algae issues in my tank, mainly diatoms and hair algae. It hasn't seemed to be a nitrate or phosphate problem. My nitrates are always under 20 and I run a phosban reactor on the tank also. I'm not sure what could be causing the problem. On my light, reds and greens are only at 10%. Could I maybe just need a bigger CUC? Right now, it is:
2 blue leg hermits
7 astreas
1 emerald crab
1 peppermint shrimp
1 turbo snail.

Any ideas on what I should do? Should I get more snails and crabs? Change my light schedule again?

 

[AlSimmons]

How old is the tank? You could try adding a couple more Turbo snails, but if the tank is still relatively new then time might be all it needs. As long as you keep both your Phosphates & Nitrates at "respectable" levels the algae should start to subside in the upcoming months.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

What kind of water are you using btw?

 

[bmarine]

The tank has been up for over a year now, but about 6 months ago it was moved from a 20 long to a 29 gallon.

 

[bmarine]

And I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals.

 

[jda]

Did you start your tank with dead or dry rock?

 

[bmarine]

Nope, I used all live rock

 

[bmarine]

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Here's a couple pictures of what I'm dealing with

 

[BigDave]

That isn't a lot of rock for a 29 gallon tank.

Do you have a refugium somewhere else in the system? What filtration are you using?

 

[bmarine]

So I should get more? And I'm running a HOB and a fluval 306 that runs my phosban reactor. I know canisters have a risk of being nitrate factories, but I keep a close eye on it and haven't had any issues with that.

 

[BigDave]

I would do a few things.

1) I'd manually get in there and try to pull out as much as you can by hand. Your CUC might be big enough to keep up with new growth, just not enough to knock down everything that's there.

2) I'd add some more rock. Base rock would probably be OK as it should fill up with bacteria as needed.

3) Try adjusting your flow. I'm not sure how much flow you have, but when you feed your fish, do you see the food flowing all over the tank, or are there dead spots?

I won't say anything about the canister filter. If you're doing good with it, congrats. I personally never had any luck with them.

 

[stelliofleondis]

U have high nitrates the algae is consuming it almost as fast as you are putting it in if you take all of that algae u would have high nutrients

 

[bmarine]

I don't think my issue is nitrates. I water change weekly and have cut my feeding to every other day and nothing has changed. Unless do I need more snails to stir up the sandbed?


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[Dealseer]

U have high nitrates the algae is consuming it almost as fast as you are putting it in if you take all of that algae u would have high nutrients

That is hard to read.

 

[BigDave]

That is hard to read.

Not everyone on this board is English as a first language.

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[adam.sandor88]

I don't want to ask the obvious but, how far from direct sunlight are you?


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[bmarine]

There is a window on the opposite side of the room, but the tank receives no direct sunlight at all.


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[adam.sandor88]

Is it possible to cover the window for a few days and see what the result is?


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[adam.sandor88]

Are you having to fill up your ATO a lot?


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[bmarine]

I don't have an ATO


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[adam.sandor88]

Are you filling the tank off with to a lot?


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