Algae problem

[Caassper1]

Hi all.

I Would like to ask if u can help me regarding green algae. My whole tank if full of it - any idea what can cause it?
My parameters:
PH 7.8-8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate various up to 4ppm
Ca 420
Kh 9
Phospate 0
Magnesium 1500 i kjow it's too much but still is going up

Thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

How long has the tank been setup?

Got a picture showing the issue?

 

[Caassper1]

It has been setup for about 9 months.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Put some turbo snails in.

 

[FishNDip]

I'd recommend an lawn mower blenny. They work great at eating algae and look sweet! I'd look into gfo also.

But those are usually just band aids. You have an algae problem because of something. Perhaps its over feed, not enough maintenance etc..Do you scrub the algae off when your doing water changes? How much of a water change and how long? There's a lot of reasons why.

 

[ReeferNoob4ever]

Find a balance between growth and feeding things that will eat it. I'd say your temp is too high.

 

[Caassper1]

I do water change every 2nd week about 10%. And always trying to get out algae as much as posible.

 

[Caassper1]

And water temp i have 26 -26.5

 

[FishNDip]

I'd do some brain storming. Perhaps something has died? perhaps you are forgetting to clean out a sponge? Maybe you your rock wasn't cured correctly. Maybe you have to many fish? Could be your lights are on for to long etc etc. If nothing seems wrong just get some algae eaters (you should have those anyway if you don't) and run gfo. I personally don't use gfo, but I've heard great reviews on the brs gfo.

 

[Stolireef]

First, you're not registering phosphates because the algae is taking it up before it can register on your test. That likely applies to your nitrates as well. They're probably higher than you realize because they too are being taken up by the algae.

Second, some questions.
1. Are you dosing anything?
2. What, how much and how frequently are you feeding?
3. Can you get a closer shot of the algae?
4. Are you using a skimmer. If so, what kind?
5. What kind of clean up crew do you have?
6. Are you using an RO/DI for topoff and water changes?

It looks to me like green hair algae or bryopsis (I always have trouble figuring out the difference).

The first step is to reduce the nutrients in the tank. Cut back on feeding, do larger more frequent water changes, and skim on the wet side to start. If you are using a sock filter, change it every couple of days for a while. Give it time.

If all else fails, there is a new treatment that appears to work quite well for bryposis and to a lesser extent, green hair algae. Look up the threads on fluconozol (not sure if the spelling is correct). That said, it would be my last resort after making sure my water husbandry is correct.

 

[mcgyvr]

In addition to that ^^ you can pull out a rock or 2 each day and do a soak/scrub for 10-15 minutes in a bowl of 50% old tank water and 50% hydrogen peroxide.. Then rinse the rocks off and back into the tank.. Do that in batches to not disturb all the rock at one time..

Frankly when its that bad just attempting water changes alone will take quite a while to be effective..

 

[Stolireef]

A really handy tool for reef keeping is a toothbrush attached to the end of a siphon tube. For your tank right now, it would be under powered but for getting at little spots, it's super handy. Get some 1/2 inch OD tubing and strap tie on the toothbrush,

 

[ReefKeeper64]

Phosphate 0

Are you sure you have 0? Usually 0 is written or displayed as 0.00 ppm. 0.03 ppm or less is ideal so even 0.5 is a high number. What test kit are you using? Perhaps your test kit is bad.

Try this. Take a sample of water in to a reputable aquarium store and have them test your water for you. If they use API, then walk away. They should be using Salifert or some other non-API brand. Once you know the real measurement, you can start to address how to change things for the better.

Good luck,
Chris
Tampa, FL

 

[Caassper1]

ReefKeeper64

ReefKeeper64

I'm use JBL test for phosphate. And JBL is show that i have less then 0.02. I'll try to take sample to the shop.

 

[ReefKeeper64]

You will be glad you have a comparison for reference. There is usually a 0.04 margin of error with these hobby grade test kits. So even if your kit is perfectly fine, actual PO4 could be 0.06. If the kit is bad, your PO4 could be higher. Its always good to know where you really stand.

True story. I once lost a gorgeous power blue tang due to a defective copper test kit. I was treating the fish proactively as I had just acquired him. The test showed 0 copper so I added more copper to the QT. The next morning, the fish was dead. I took in a water sample from the QT to my LFS and their test kit showed that there werer dangerously high levels of copper in the sample. All from a bad test kit. It was a good one too.

Moral of the story; I double check my test kits now!

 

[Caassper1]

First, you're not registering phosphates because the algae is taking it up before it can register on your test. That likely applies to your nitrates as well. They're probably higher than you realize because they too are being taken up by the algae.

Second, some questions.
1. Are you dosing anything?
2. What, how much and how frequently are you feeding?
3. Can you get a closer shot of the algae?
4. Are you using a skimmer. If so, what kind?
5. What kind of clean up crew do you have?
6. Are you using an RO/DI for topoff and water changes?

Yes I dosing vodka. I am not sure if it is good but it is helping. Becouse since I start i had high level of nitrate. So i start with vodka and nitrate drop down.
I'm feeding them 2-3x a day.
I have 1 pepermint shrimp
1 turbo snail. I had more but always after few weeks died.
2 hermit crabs
And 1 more shrimp but i do not know the name but i think is cammel shrimp.
And simmer is KENT NANO SKIMMER 300
YES I'm using RO water always.

 

[Stolireef]

What size is the tank?

 

[Caassper1]

I have one more question do u know what is this on picture???

 

[Caassper1]

What size is the tank?

125litre i think is 20 or 25gl

 

[Caassper1]

And i do not have sump only external filter