Algae reassurance

[Jakers88]

Just checking to see if this algae growth is normal. I believe it is but I want to make sure im doing what I'm supposed to be doing.

Tank is a JBJ 24g, lights run for 12hrs in 12hrs off.
Last parameters (8/29)
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 5
PH: 8
Temp: 78.6
Salinity: 1.025
Alk: 7.2 dkh

I use an RODI for topping off and for mixing. My TDS after the DI is 0. I do not yet have a test for phosphate (in the mail). Algae was much worse about a week ago. I scrubbed the rocks and walls and did about a 40% change and then kept the lights off for 4 or 5 days. I added a portion of my clean up crew two days ago (crabs and a few snails) and am getting the rest of my crew from reefcleaners tomorrow.

I haven't added any food to the tank at all. For the Chambers on the back I run First chamber filter floss, second chamber filter floss, chemipure elite, seachem SeaGel, third chamber, rock rubble and MJ 1200 pump. In the tank I have about 35-40lbs of rock. And a koralia 600 pump.

With my lights being back on the algae has obviously began grow again.

I'm just curious if there is something else I can be/should be doing to prevent this growth or stop it. Or should I just let my clean up crew don't thing and see what happens?

Thanks!

The first two pics of the toxic looking algae was before I scrubbed and did a water change.

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[crawlerman]

Probably fueled by phosphates in the rock. Keep doing what you are doing and it will eventually go away. Until the phosphates are out of the rock and exported you will have this. I wouldn't bother with blackouts or chemical solutions, just a band-aid that will slow down the cure. A turbo snail would help manage the hair algae. Kind of a pain when they start bulldozing all of your frags, but they are great algae eaters.

 

[Jakers88]

Oh good, I have two in the tank, the astreas right?

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[mcgyvr]

Welcome to a new tank..
What you see is totally normal (green hair algae and brown diatoms) and will pass provided you just keep up with regular maintenance to keep nitrates/phosphates low which is simple via water changes on a tank that size....
Get a mexican turbo snail too (usually golfball size snails..) .. they love that stuff too
Astreas will take care of it also but I'd have more than 2 algae eating snails in there now.. More like 10-15 IMO if you go with the smaller cerith/astrea,etc..).. But just one mexican turbo..

 

[JohnZena]

Good looking scape. Like crawlerman says, let nature takes course. It should die off in time.

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[Jakers88]

Good looking scape. Like crawlerman says, let nature takes course. It should die off in time.

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Thanks!

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[Jakers88]

Welcome to a new tank..
What you see is totally normal (green hair algae and brown diatoms) and will pass provided you just keep up with regular maintenance to keep nitrates/phosphates low which is simple via water changes on a tank that size....
Get a mexican turbo snail too (usually golfball size snails..) .. they love that stuff too
Astreas will take care of it also but I'd have more than 2 algae eating snails in there now.. More like 10-15 IMO if you go with the smaller cerith/astrea,etc..).. But just one mexican turbo..

Thanks! Yea right now I have two astreas, 4 hermit, one emerald, two peppermint, and I think 5 nerites, and maybe 3 nassarius Then on Friday I'll get my order in which is 20 dwarf cerith, 4 Florida cerith, 3 nassarius and 3 nerite.

I took at look at the reefcleaners.org packages and created a similar one that I wouldn't have to pay the $35 shipping fee for the crabs and shrimp (I know some people frown on hermits) but I wanted to give it a shot.

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[crawlerman]

I've always had hermits, I like them as much as my fish. Fun to watch and my kids love them too. I always get the dwarf blue legged crabs, never had a problem. Never had a problem with emeralds either, but many have.

 

[Jakers88]

Ya the hermits are really cool to watch, the emerald is definitely the most fun though, my wife and I actually prefer it the most! I just wish my tank was big enough for two! Maybe in the next few years I'll be able to upgrade to a 75-125g.

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