Algae

[ffmd21]

I am having a problem with algae growth on the glass of my tank. I have a 60gal tank with about 75lbs of rock. I have a 10 gal fuge with lr as well. The only inhabitants are snails crab and shrimp. This tank has been running since Feb 4. I run my lights 12 hrs at a time. Is this too much? Anything else that I can try??
Thanks

 

[Bmgrocks]

algae is normal in newly established tanks, the fact that its on the glass is normal, and can be resolved by snails, and weekly wiping of the glass to remove it..

another way to slow the growth is the use of RO/DI, that removes phosphates that contribute to algae growth

algae on the glass is no big deal at all, its just not fun to look through, the use of a sponge or a mag float easily takes care of the situation and should be apart of routine tank matinence.

i clean mine weekly.....my turbos do the rest.

 

[Bmgrocks]

btw try filling your fuge with Chaeto, it will help down the line, removing phosphates and nitrates, it has worked wonders in my tank...

 

[ffmd21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9796284#post9796284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bmgrocks
btw try filling your fuge with Chaeto, it will help down the line, removing phosphates and nitrates, it has worked wonders in my tank...

Sorry forgot to mention the Chaeto I have growing in the fuge. Thanks for the info, I will just keep doing what i am doing then. Just making sure nothing was going wrong.

 

[Purple Penguins]

You might want to cut back the lights a bit 12 hours a day is a bit much, I run my actnics 10 hours a day and my daylights 8, I have not yet had any serious algae problems

 

[ffmd21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9796573#post9796573 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Purple Penguins
You might want to cut back the lights a bit 12 hours a day is a bit much, I run my actnics 10 hours a day and my daylights 8, I have not yet had any serious algae problems

Thanks for the info. I was wondering if my lights might be part of the problem. I run both my blues and days 12 hours, I will cut that back some.
Thanks!!

 

[Purple Penguins]

many other things can cause algae as well, how often do you feed your tank?

 

[ffmd21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9796691#post9796691 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Purple Penguins
many other things can cause algae as well, how often do you feed your tank?

I have no fish yet so no feeding as of yet

 

[drummereef]

Do you know your phosphate and nitrate levels? Do you use RO/DI and know what the TDS is? Can you list any and all other water params you know for us please.

 

[ffmd21]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9797125#post9797125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drummereef
Do you know your phosphate and nitrate levels? Do you use RO/DI and know what the TDS is? Can you list any and all other water params you know for us please.

ph-8.2
Am. 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm
Phos 0
I do not have a RO/DI system yet I am getting ready to purchase one.
Thanks

 

[RobNJ]

Is it possible to have 0 Phosphate using tap water?

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9799689#post9799689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ffmd21
ph-8.2
Am. 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20ppm
Phos 0
I do not have a RO/DI system yet I am getting ready to purchase one.
Thanks

The use of tap water is going to add to your problems. I would highly suggest getting an RO/DI unit when you can. The Spectrapure MaxCap is my first choice follwed by the Ocean Reef +1 from The Filter Guys. Your nitrate level is high as well. Do you run any sponges, filter floss, bio-balls, socks, etc in the system?

I'm guessing the phosphates are reading because the algae is using it up.