Algae and phosphate [too much phosphate brings algae]: a granulated ferrous oxide (GFO) reactor. Change the media monthly until rocks are nearly bare.
Nitrate: more rock, regular water changes, and if through the roof, consider a vastly better skimmer. NoPoX is also helpful in some tanks, but a better skimmer will probably solve your problem.
Cyano: lights out for three days, low light on 4th. Then back to normal, WHILE skimming efficiently. Do this once a month until problem is solved.
Bubble algae: usually no big deal, and a great deal of fuss is often made over it. It comes. It goes. If your nutrient level is normal, it'll run its course and go away on its own. This leads many people to believe [fill in blank] cured it, but honestly, usually it's just because it's run its course. You hear 'don't pop the bubbles' and 'get a mithrax crab to eat it" ---which is kind of mutually exclusive, eh? And the crab may take a piece out of one of your fish. Unless it's epic, don't freak.
RUnaway macro algae: never let rooted algae exist anywhere in your system unless you're amply prepared to have fish that can deal with it---as in---big tank, big fish.
Film algae: again, better skimmer, and you may be feeding too much. Note that you NEED this if you're feeding a combtooth type blenny. Many will starve without some algae on the glass and rocks.
Cruddy sand: a sandsifter will help many tanks: but just give it a while until the tank is really mature before considering one. Avoid the diamond goby or dragon goby as a solution in any tank where clouds of sand pose a problem. Nassarius snails, fighting conch (1 per 50 gallon); cucumber (with caution: they are toxic if they demise); a watchman goby can handle a 30 to 50 gallon tank pretty well.
Nitrate: more rock, regular water changes, and if through the roof, consider a vastly better skimmer. NoPoX is also helpful in some tanks, but a better skimmer will probably solve your problem.
Cyano: lights out for three days, low light on 4th. Then back to normal, WHILE skimming efficiently. Do this once a month until problem is solved.
Bubble algae: usually no big deal, and a great deal of fuss is often made over it. It comes. It goes. If your nutrient level is normal, it'll run its course and go away on its own. This leads many people to believe [fill in blank] cured it, but honestly, usually it's just because it's run its course. You hear 'don't pop the bubbles' and 'get a mithrax crab to eat it" ---which is kind of mutually exclusive, eh? And the crab may take a piece out of one of your fish. Unless it's epic, don't freak.
RUnaway macro algae: never let rooted algae exist anywhere in your system unless you're amply prepared to have fish that can deal with it---as in---big tank, big fish.
Film algae: again, better skimmer, and you may be feeding too much. Note that you NEED this if you're feeding a combtooth type blenny. Many will starve without some algae on the glass and rocks.
Cruddy sand: a sandsifter will help many tanks: but just give it a while until the tank is really mature before considering one. Avoid the diamond goby or dragon goby as a solution in any tank where clouds of sand pose a problem. Nassarius snails, fighting conch (1 per 50 gallon); cucumber (with caution: they are toxic if they demise); a watchman goby can handle a 30 to 50 gallon tank pretty well.
