Major Algae Problem (with pics)

[Sitarangi]

I just placed a large (cured) piece of Tonga LR in my 29 gallon tank a couple weeks ago. Within a couple of days, all the walls of my tank were covered in this thick green algae. Scrubbing does nothing. The tank gets very little natural light and I have reduced the 65 watt fluorescent light from 11ish hours to 8 hours. I also went and got 10 misc. snails from an LFS. I have a couple emerald crabs and my lawnmower blenny died shortly after I placed the rock (I think he ate some dead algae that was still wedged in the LR). While the snails and light reduction has helped, the algae is still there in full force, what should I do?

Heres the best close up I could get.

 

[weluvfish54]

how longs it been running?
phosphate levels?

 

[Sitarangi]

The tanks been running for the better part of 5 months. I dont have a phosphate test kit, but I need to grab one next time I run and get some brine shrimp next week. Like I said, about 5 months, but the algae spike has only been since I placed the big LR in almost 2 weeks ago. Its TLR and its that giant centerpiece thats pretty pale looking with the Xenia on it.

 

[herpboyben]

i have that on my tank walls too.

 

[weluvfish54]

yeah my tank has it realllly bad. like 3x worse then yours. i think phosphate levels have to do with it, i just got a phosreactor on mine not to long ago. other then that, lighting or just an algae bloom. i was at the point of scraping mine every 5 mins.

 

[Sitarangi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12443824#post12443824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by weluvfish54
yeah my tank has it realllly bad. like 3x worse then yours. i think phosphate levels have to do with it, i just got a phosreactor on mine not to long ago. other then that, lighting or just an algae bloom. i was at the point of scraping mine every 5 mins.

Did the Phosreactor help? What kind of media did you use?

 

[weluvfish54]

i havent noticed much of a change yet.
it hasnt been long though.
also, i got a new tank about a week ago so didnt really give time to see a change on the tank it was on, its now on my 210 gallon which hasnt even begun to cycle yet, but ill keep u posted.
i think the media was the brightwell aquatics brand...you have to regenerate it too.

 

[Sitarangi]

I dont think the phos reactor would help, especially because its just a humble 29g tank with a biowheel filter (though I could run one as im getting a canister filter and skimmer when I leave for college this fall, my parents arn't as willing as I am for the whole 50% water change every week thing as I am). I have noticed that simply keeping the lights less has reduced it drastically, especially since the snails and stomatella are waaay more active without the light on.

 

[weluvfish54]

yeah true..but canisters need to be cleaned OFTEN.
otherwise the buildup produces more algae. happened to me.
i really dont do water changes.
some people prefer to, some not to.
i do them, just not large ones. hard to in a 210 gallon.
im sure the phosreactor does alot, considering i use tap water especially.

 

[wilawalo]

I had it in my tank, when I added a big piece of rock, I skimmed heavily and did a 2 day blackout period, then 1 day blue lights only and then I scrubbed everything on the fourth day and it is fine now. I would check your phosphates. I use the Kent phosphate media for 2 days and then remove for 2 days. I am waiting for my order of better phosphate removing media.

 

[weluvfish54]

the media you set in your tank only works for so long. phopshate comes back!
im gonna try the blackout method.

 

[Sitarangi]

Im kind of scarted to do a blackout, my xenia looks on the verge of death when I wake up every morning. Will they be allright for a day or two?

 

[Davo]

looks like "Bryopsis grows on new tanks windows for the first few months normally. If you let a area grow does it get hairy?
I buddy told me that if i raise the magnesium real high that it will prevent it. don't know if its true but i am looking for more info cant hurt other that the cost of maintaining levels higher that NSW

 

[Davo]

continuing you can try a lettuce sea slug (nudibranch) if it eats it than yes its Bryopsis

 

[Sitarangi]

Got a great update:

Today I dropped the water level about halfway and did a 10 gallon water change. I used a tile scrubber on the walls and it worked a miracle. The tank is nearly spot free, I did leave a couple patches for the snails. Ill have pics soon, the camera battery needs to charge tonight.

Moral of the story:

If those stupid expensive magnets/scrapers don't work, get a tile scraper.

 

[weluvfish54]

my magnets always work, just the algae comes back haha.