I'm trying to figure out whats triggering the algae growth in my tank. Nitrates are always zero, phosphates always very low but not zero (one level up from zero on test kit), I've reduced the time the lights are on to 8 hours, I've upgraded my protein skimmer, I've added chaeto which is growing well, I've added phosguard. Main item missing is a clean up crew. I still don't have any snails yet because something kept killing them all off rapidly. Algae growth has slowed a lot but still continue to grow and be an eye sore. Any suggestions?
Whats causing the algae growth
- Thread starter bcwalz
- Start date
Part of my guess is the low nutrients. Generally you want some form of detectable phosphate and nitrate
The way I understand it, is so beneficial algaes and coral can out compete the bad algaes which will naturally eliminate them. I’d also definitely look into figuring out what’s killing any clean up crew as they’ll definitely help maintain the tank.
The way I understand it, is so beneficial algaes and coral can out compete the bad algaes which will naturally eliminate them. I’d also definitely look into figuring out what’s killing any clean up crew as they’ll definitely help maintain the tank.
I was gonna say this also. Ever hear any cracking or poping sounds? How old is this tank?
Tank is almost 2 years old. I found what may have been two carnivorous snails and removed them but snails continued to die off on their own. I went from RO water for the tank to RODI water thinking perhaps something is in the water source (copper tests zero consistently. But I havent' tried reintroducing a turbo yet to see if that resolved it. I do have an arc eye hawkfish that I know typically doesn't go after snails but I've wondered about him being a source and have been debating getting rid of him.
For the other so algae growth can be triggered by having nitrates and phosphates too low? High levels can obviously trigger it but I never thought too low could as well.
For the other so algae growth can be triggered by having nitrates and phosphates too low? High levels can obviously trigger it but I never thought too low could as well.
Hmm, just had a thought. I dose iron for the chaeto since it dies without it. I don't have an iron test kit though and wonder if I'm putting into too much? Can't iron also contribute to algae growth? I've been dosing a cap of iron supplement once per week for my 75. Starting to wonder if thats too much and contributing to my algae growth.
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Cheato does consume iron but also nitrates and phosphates. The nuisance algae is likely out competing the Cheato which is why you are likely seeing the die off of the Cheato without dosing. Too much iron could contribute but I’m honestly not sure. If you’re not against crabs, I put probably about 50 blue legs and 20-30 snails (Astrea or trochus) and see how well it works out. You may want to get a confirmation on the type of algae as well as some algaes aren’t readily consumed by clean up crew members.
No crabs or any clean up crew right now unfortunately. Did have some hermits and an emerald and they lasted the longest but also died. No clean up crew at all right now. My inability to keep a clean up crew has bothered me alot since I've never found a "smoking gun" to explain it. I've tried purchasing from my LFS as well as reefcleaners.org and snails from either never lasted more than a month.
Looks like green hair algae to me. Maybe run an ICP test to see if there’s a high metal content in the tank?
five.five-six
Well-known member
It may/may not kill the chaeto.
You need a CUS, algae will always grow, that’s what it does. I don’t think it’s possible to keep nutrients so low that algae can’t grow and if you did somehow manage that, your corals could never grow either. You want just enough CUC that they stay hungry and are always picking.
