Problem Algae

[Lifwilend]

Hi,

Can anyone help me? I'm having a problem with one of my Green Star Polyp colonies. Its slowy being taken over by macro algae. I believe its Caulerpa. I took some of it off a while ago and now it seems to be even more aggresive. I removed the colony and lightly scubbed it with a course sponge. Is this a good way to remove it or is there a better way. I'm affraid I am going to damage the polyps. Also, I have been having a problem with another form of algae; on the sand areas and the lower area of the live rock. I have this bloom of a brown to golden looking slime that appears to have air bubbles under the slime mat and when disturbed the underlying air bubbles carry pieces of the algae to the surface. My water perameters seem to be good. I have a 72 gallon tank about three quarters full of live rock, calcium reactor, large protein skimmer, coralife aqualight pro with good bulbs changed every six months, current USA 1/4 horse chiller. I was doing water changes each week about five gallons. Keep in mind I do keep up with everything. Water changes have been made in the past at least once a month and at most once a week. All filters are cleaned at a minimum weekly. I have been into this for about 5 years. HELP HELP HELP. lol!

Thanks,

Lifwilend

 

[REEFY1]

Get a yellow/or purple tang they will eat it up

 

[demonsp]

You say readings seem fine but doesnt sound like you really know. This would help determan. Also 5 gal a week may not be enough but close.
Those star poylps should overgrow almost anything. If they arnt doing good its from poor water quailty and or lack of food or photo plankton.

 

[Lifwilend]

I will get readings tomorrow and let you know. I only use RO/DI Water. I tested the RO water and everthing is good. I change the filters on that every three to six months as well. I thought it might be the ro water at first because the tank water was good. But that reminds me I can't seem to get coraline algae to grow. I have experimented with the distance of the lighting unit above the water first it was about 12 inches off the surface and now I lowered it to about six inches two weeks ago.

 

[Lifwilend]

They were doing great. I have to say this is a fairly new problem. I think the algae came in on the colony. The others are fine but one seems to be struggling from that brown slimy stuff. I'm not sure if its diatom algae or not. I remember having diatom algae in the tank when I first started the tank 5 years ago. This seems worse then that.

 

[Alaska_Phil]

I know exactly the brown slime with bubbles you're referring too. Been there done that as they say. Only way I've found it get rid of that stuff is to remove as much as you can by hand, then black out the tank for 3 days. Bring they lights on a little at a time afterwords so you don't shock your corals. And be ready to do a couple water changes to keep the dead algae from causing a nitrate and phosphate spike.

I never had any coraline growth until I got my Ca/Alk ballanced. What are your readings for them?

High phosephate is also reported to stop coraline growth, and promote the other algaes your having trouble with. What are your nitrate and phosephate readings?

Green stars typically grow like weeds if conditions are even half way decent. What lighting do you have?

Phil