!!!!!!need Some Professional Help!!!!!!

[geo6028]

I have a 10 gallon reef tank that is growing green/yellow on the sand and the glass. i scrub it and it comes back hours later?

specs:

-10 gallon tank

-30-35lbs. live figi rock

-1.5 inch live sand bed

-backpack protein skimmer (prizim skimmer)

-aquaclear 50 hang-on filter (inside the filter i have a sponge and two carbon socks. i stopped using the phosban sock because i was told it releases nitrate back into the tank, and if removed it would help lower nitrate. should i keep using phosban????

amonia=0
nitrite=0
nitrate=10-20 is that the cause maybe

1) if anyone can please explain to me what can be the reason for this nasty green/yellow growth in my take and what i can do to get rid of it
2) what is phosphate, how is it produced, how do i handle it and can the water be tested for phosphate levels?

 

[pdelcast]

A good place to start looking for answers:

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php

Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...st2003/chem.htm
Broken link?

Also:

Problem Dinoflagellates and pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/rhf/index.php


Phosphorus: Algae's Best Friend
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/iss...pt2002/chem.htm
Broken link?

Try this one:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm




ALSO -- a 10 gallon saltwater tank can be very challenging. Bigger is easier (usually!) It would be useful to bone up on everything you can, and remember... CHANGE things VERY slowly on a small tank.

 

[HighlandReefer]

How often are you doing water changes and how much water do you change?

Are you using RODI water or tap water to do water changes with?

Do you have a clean-up crew in your tank?

How long are you leaving your lights on?

Are you skimming wet?

 

[bertoni]

Moved to New to the Hobby as more on topic here.

Algal blooms in new tanks are fairly common. This one might be caused by overfeeding, though.