HELP! Algae problems?

[630mason]

In the past couple of days my tank is getting over run with brown looking algae. I have 3 small turbos and 5 blue leg hermits but they can't eat it fast enough. It's all over my rock and now all over the sand. My nitrates and other levels are perfect so I'm confused as to what to do to get rid of this stuff. Get more stuff to eat it? I'm going to do a 20% water change tomorrow. Any other ideas?

Shane

 

[zebrafish]

How long have you had your tank set up? Are you using tap water to mix your salt or RO/DI water? It sounds like you have phosphates in your water that is feeding the algae.

 

[ducklabdad]

I know that I am not much help. But I see your pain as I think most of us have been in the same place. Here is a thread here on reef central:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1329802 which was great and helped me go through my algae pains.
This thread and some of the links it will send you to will tell you more than you can imagine(or my than my peabrain could)

The two things I will say that have helped me "so far" are 1. part of it is just the cycle that your aquarium will go through.and 2. water testing and control of your water is a much better choice than trying to do it with "chemical fixes"

I hiope I am sending you in the right direction on this and good luch!!

 

[ducklabdad]

I will also second what zebrafish posted about the RO/DI unit(which is covered in that thread). You can buy a unit or all three of the local fish stores will sell you water,and yes it hurts to pay for water but it sure pointed me in the right direction. The use of RO water did more to help me than anything else.

 

[sperry]

You just set your tank up right? If so it is called diatom algae and a good sign even if an ugly one. It happens to almost all new tanks near the end of the cycle. Generally people look for it to mark the point where they can add the cleaners. I dont think turbo snails will eat it but astrea will and margarita may. Anyway it marks the beginning of your lil eco system.

 

[crpeck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12615425#post12615425 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sperry
Anyway it marks the beginning of your lil eco system.

Then, if you're like me you get it again 5 years later.


Seriously, they're right .. its a normal stage in a new tank cycle but still, RO/DI water helps.

I don't know why I'm fighting it all again. I think there is something wrong with my RO unit because the tubing from my pure topoff water is even getting red slime in it.

Sorry ... don't let me confuse the issue.

 

[630mason]

Re: Help

Re: Help

When I started the tank I used tap water and stress coat, but everything since has been with RO from a LFS. So what cleaners do I need and how many? This stuff is getting BAD.

Shane

 

[joeycadre]

it could just be the cycling of the tank if it hasn;t been set up for very long.