Algae Bloom - Please Help!

[nhind]

Hi All

I've had my 20 long tank up and running for about a year and a half and never really had too much of an algae problem. About 6 weeks ago, we took a trip down to florida for 5 days and had a friend feed the fish. When we came back, the water had evaporated below the level of the powerhead - as such, there was EXTREME oxygenation for 5 days.

Since then we've had a serious algae problem. My dad spends several hours a week pulling algae out and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Test Results:

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.25
PH: 8.0
salinity: 1.022

We do water changes every other week. Our stocking list includes 2 ocellaris, 1 peppermint shrimp, and 1 emerald crab.

Anyone got any ideas? Could the oxygenation issue have caused this bloom? If so, how can we combat it? Thanks

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Additional info:

I'm pretty sure its all hair algae - green, but my dad mentioned he pulled out some brown a week or so ago. I also found he has been turning off the lights for 24 hours once a week as he's been dosing Marine S.A.T. and it requires that.

we use a marineland reef led light - the blue goes on 11am/white goes on a 1pm/white goes off at 7pm/blues go off 9pm.

my dad currently feed the tank daily - the fish usually eat what is fed in close to 30 seconds.

we also have corals - zoas, xenia, star polyps, gonipora, hammer, and a brain (i think)

 

[REEFBUILDER1]

Hi All

I've had my 20 long tank up and running for about a year and a half and never really had too much of an algae problem. About 6 weeks ago, we took a trip down to florida for 5 days and had a friend feed the fish. When we came back, the water had evaporated below the level of the powerhead - as such, there was EXTREME oxygenation for 5 days.

Since then we've had a serious algae problem. My dad spends several hours a week pulling algae out and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Test Results:

Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Phosphate: 0.25
PH: 8.0
salinity: 1.022

We do water changes every other week. Our stocking list includes 2 ocellaris, 1 peppermint shrimp, and 1 emerald crab.

Anyone got any ideas? Could the oxygenation issue have caused this bloom? If so, how can we combat it? Thanks

==================================================
Additional info:

I'm pretty sure its all hair algae - green, but my dad mentioned he pulled out some brown a week or so ago. I also found he has been turning off the lights for 24 hours once a week as he's been dosing Marine S.A.T. and it requires that.

we use a marineland reef led light - the blue goes on 11am/white goes on a 1pm/white goes off at 7pm/blues go off 9pm.

my dad currently feed the tank daily - the fish usually eat what is fed in close to 30 seconds.

we also have corals - zoas, xenia, star polyps, gonipora, hammer, and a brain (i think)

If you don't have corals then do a black out and feed VERY Little

 

[Hodge1995]

How much water are you changing?Is it RODI water? I would try 50% once to get ammonia down. Then try 25% a week for a couple months , maybe slow down on feeding. Are you running a skimmer at all? More than likely your nitrates a phosphates are higher than test are showing due to the algae using it up.

 

[nhind]

We do have corals :-/ ...

20%-25% water changes using distiller water because we couldn't find rodi anywhere around here. We didn't want to buy an expensive rodi unit and never had any problems with the distilled. We're going to test the distilled water jugs for phosphates tomorrow.

No skimmer. And we're going to take your advice with the weekly water changes for a little while to see what happens. Would you say feeding every other day is good?

 

[brianr24]

This may b off topic but I'm a newbie and curious how u keep salinity sl low with corals.is it because of the type of corals non sps and no stones? Also from the little knowledge I have sound like phosphates are high from whoever watch tank overfed.

 

[Hodge1995]

Did you look for rodi at local fish stores? Or even in local forum you may get a local reefer to sell you some. The best way unfortunately is to be using rodi. This assures you are starting with good clean water. It is highly likely the friend overfeed. In my 28 gallon nano, I have 2 clowns that I feed 1 time a day about a pinch of pellets. I stick my fingers in water and release slow so that they can catch it as it falls. They will take it out of your hand after a while. Fact is there are nitrates/phosphates being introduced that must be removed via water changes with rodi, skimmer, or some type of phosphate removal media. In order to get it gone you have to remove the nitrates / phosphates.Also most will keep their salinity at around 1.024-1.025

 

[theoregonian]

Algaefix marine will kill the hair algae, works good just make sure you follow the direction exactly.

 

[NYCBOB]

change water and give it time. how old r ur bulbs? older bulbs can cause algae issue too. only good maintenance and time will solve ur algae issue.

 

[Hodge1995]

Algaefix marine will kill the hair algae, works good just make sure you follow the direction exactly.

I at one time tried the marine algae fix and it in addition to algae it also killed my softies.