overflows and algae growth........

[unbelievable]

So Im having a minor hair algae problem but the only place it grows is on my overflow which is good I guess. I'm just wondering if there is some reason its only growing there. Bulbs are newer and the overflow gets hit by my mp40 pretty well. Any ideas would be great! TIA!

 

[disc1]

It is a good thing. You can harvest it out of there for nutrient export. I suspect it has something to do with being away from what might be eating it.

 

[unbelievable]

It's growing on the outside as well actually inside the tank.

 

[Just2Many]

Try a few snails or a cover for your overflow box.

 

[unbelievable]

It's growing on the overflow box inside the aquarium halfway down the box. Hopefully that clears things up a bit.

 

[travis32]

Probably likes the flow.. I've noticed I always get macros growing where there's water flow. Powerheads, return outlets, overflows... If any of the spots have good lighting, good flow, and low predators, it's a great spot for an algae outbreak.

 

[Chris27]

If there is light shining in the overflow, it's usually a prime place for algea growth....nothing in there to eat it really.

 

[Jaymeany]

The reason tank have skimmers is that the most concentrated pollutants are in the top layer. Therefore you have high concentration of nutrients mixed with light and flow. As stated harvest and dump, great way to export nutrients. Good luck.

 

[chrissu]

Probably likes the flow.. I've noticed I always get macros growing where there's water flow. Powerheads, return outlets, overflows... If any of the spots have good lighting, good flow, and low predators, it's a great spot for an algae outbreak.

Travis is right. You have a natural algae scrubber at work for you. Good water flow and strong lighting is all nature needs and it (the algae) is cleaning your water so if it doesn't bother you, let it be.

If you want it gone, get some cheato algae or micro algae and strong lighting and flow in your sump to out compete it naturally. The algae in your overflow will receed on its own if this is done right.

 

[unbelievable]

It's does grow a nice green turf algae. I do clean it out every so often.

 

[spamreefnew]

algae always grows best in hi flow areas such as the slits in your over flow box. It has something to do with chemistry or ion exchange something like that.....I read an article on it years back when researching algae scrubber filtration. somehow algae can soak up much more food when there is more flow...

 

[Paco]

I grow a pretty decent amount of macro algae in my overflows. I'm not sure what kind it is -- it's predominantly red although I have some other things, too. I harvest out a few handfuls about once a month and I figure it must be a good thing, just like harvesting my Chaeto from the sump.

 

[aleonn]

I grow a pretty decent amount of macro algae in my overflows. I'm not sure what kind it is -- it's predominantly red although I have some other things, too. I harvest out a few handfuls about once a month and I figure it must be a good thing, just like harvesting my Chaeto from the sump.

The red macro could actually be cyano?

 

[tmz]

The nutrients rise to the top which is why overflows skim the top .

 

[Paco]

The red macro could actually be cyano?

No, cyano is a microalgae (and this isn't really true, it's a photosynthetic bacteria). This is a red turf algae, possibly asparagopsis by my best guess.

 

[tmz]

asparagopsis( the red cottony variety ), was a minor problem for me in the past even at low PO4 levels. IIRC it thrives on reefs where nutrients are generally low so it's obviusly a good scavenger without any evidence of alelopathy. Seems to do ok even at low PO4 levels. Seems to like flow .Seems to wane a bit with very low NO3 ime . Turbos eat some but I had better luck with an urchin but it also grazed off coraline..If it's on the overflow and not spreading where you don't want it is probably helping with nutrient export as you harvest it . Sort of a free unplanned algae scrubber.