Why is this happening in my tank??? Pic attached!

[phyber]

I keep having algae popping up all over the tank. In the sand, on the rocks, on the glass. I have only started adding corals within the last month, which coincides with the purchase of my lights as well as the start of this algae.

What can I do different????

Here's my latest parameter measurements:

Calcium:440
Carbonate Hardness: 161.1
Phosphate: 0
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia: 0
Salinity: 1.025

I use only RODI water from my BRS 4 Stage, with new filters, with a measured TDS of 0. TDS before RODI unit is 35ppm. Water is changed roughly every 3 weeks, and is a 20% change.

I use Instant Ocean salt, and I only feed my two clowns Ocean Nutrition Marine Formula 2 with Garlic pellets once every other day. I have only dosed with Kent Coral Vite twice, but my skimmer seems to suck it all up ASAP.

Tank stats:
25g
7 months old
30# live rock
20# live sand
AquaC Remora Nano skimmer
(2) Koralia 1 circulation pumps
150w heater
Current Nova t5's (4x24w, 2 460 actinics, 2 10k) ran 8 hours a day
CUC: 3 red leg hermit crabs, 1 blue leg hermit, 15 nessarius, 3 astrea snails
77-81* temp daily (is ApexJr controlled by season)

Corals:
Zoa rock
15 Duncan heads
3 Frogspawn heads
3 Mushrooms
2 Xenia stalks
1 Leather coral
several Yellow Polyps and Tube Worms

2 Vivid orange Clownfish

Thanks again for your advice!!!

 

[zigzag1]

Though you mentioned your phosphate tests at zero, your algae growth indicates otherwise. Most test kits do not test at a low enough level to give accurate results we need, so not out of the norm. Purchase GFO, use it according to the directions on the package. On my tank I use 7 tablespoons passively, changed every two weeks, and never run more than a day or two without it. GL!!

 

[frnkynlop]

Double check you phosphates and nitrates. Only reason I say this is because I'm going throught the same issue. Everything was well till I saw a few of my corals dying and alage bloom. Checked my perameters and the trates and phos where off the chart. How old are your test kits. Also test your new saltwater you make. I ran into some posts where people were having issues with instant ocean having nitrates

 

[cjtice]

Are you using used sand and rock?

 

[bertoni]

The phosphate level might be zero even as the algae grows, if the algae can consume the phosphate as it's released. I'd work on nutrient control. The algae will require fixed nitrogen and phosphate to grow. Phosphate often is easier to control. Some common approaches to try first would be better skimming, less feeding, or a GFO reactor.

 

[Chris Lakies]

I would run some gfo in a reactor and dose MB7 as per the directions. After using mb7 in my tank i have noticed my algae dissapearing.

 

[pciscott]

I am no expert, but if you have Algae you have Phosphates as said above they are being consumed by the algae. I would use GFO in a reactor changed every 5 to 7 days until the algae goes away.

High P04 can come from

uncured dry rock leaching or hi P04 live rock from a dirty tank
feeding some foods especially frozen(rinse in RODI)
not using zero TDS water to top off and make salt

If you think your Rock could be the problem drop a piece in a covered bucket for a few days and see if the P04 reading goes up. With no light the algae will not consume the P04 giving a more accurate reading.

Also a Hanna P04 checker colorimeter is a valuable tool in our hobby compared to test kits when testing P04.

 

[phyber]

Thanks for all your advice!

I am currently debating a TLF Phosban 150. Being that I don't have a sump, I need a HOB unit that looks clean (with little to no hoses/wires all over the place).

Question; if the algae is consuming all the phosphate, then under the thought that i add no food and reduce light hours, won't it starve after consuming all nutrients?

 

[mooch1982]

Thanks for all your advice!

I am currently debating a TLF Phosban 150. Being that I don't have a sump, I need a HOB unit that looks clean (with little to no hoses/wires all over the place).

Question; if the algae is consuming all the phosphate, then under the thought that i add no food and reduce light hours, won't it starve after consuming all nutrients?

Careful with the TLF 150, they tend to leak. I have one, but never hang it, instead I place it in my sump "just in case".

You are better off getting a BRS reactor, and figuring out a way to place it.