Algae aggressive CUC

[Jordan Kutun]

Need help getting rid of algae looking for recommendations on what I should use in terms of livestock to remove it

 

[mcarroll]

Herbivore snails mostly.

Can you tell us about how the tank is doing? Ie. how old is it, latest nutrient tests, what's living in it, maybe a tank photo, etc?

 

[Jordan Kutun]

Lights are off now, 120gallon, 6ish months old, low nitrates 0-5 but phosphates are kind are on the higher end but coming down slowly pretty sure they’re sitting around .4 but is on the decline

 

[Jordan Kutun]

Low stocking, 1 tang few wrasse, flame hawk, dwarf lionfish, royal gramma, purple psuedochromis, 3 blue/green chromis

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

What do you feed the tank

 

[Jordan Kutun]

Variety of frozens and pellet/ flake

 

[mcarroll]

Lights are off now, 120gallon, 6ish months old, low nitrates 0-5 but phosphates are kind are on the higher end but coming down slowly pretty sure they’re sitting around .4 but is on the decline

Nutrient control is not a good method of algae control and can hurt other organisms that are dependent on those dissolved nutrients, so I wouldn't let nutrients slide any lower.

If you're doing anything extra (eg: GFO, extra bio-media, carbon dosing) to reduce nutrients, stop now before there's any real damage.

Remember that you're the #1 clean up crew....if it's too much for you then you need herbivore snails as backup. (Some other critters can help too.) You might need lots of snails, depending on the quantity of algae. You don't have to add a ton all at once, but do not be shy about adding more if just one new batch doesn't seem to make a difference.

Low stocking, 1 tang few wrasse, flame hawk, dwarf lionfish, royal gramma, purple psuedochromis, 3 blue/green chromis

For a six month old tank that's a LOT of fish. An algae bloom would be expected – in particular if the tank was started with dead rock.

A more ideal stocking would go something like....

1. Add a few CUC snails.
2. Wait a few weeks to a month
3. Add more or add a coral
4. Wait a few weeks to a month
5. Add another 1-2 fish
6. Wait a few weeks to a month
7. Add a few CUC to match any new algae growth
8. Wait a few weeks to a month
9. Add a coral or two
10. Wait a few weeks to a month
11. Repeat with CUC, coral and fish until stocked.

Under that kind of regime, stocking the fish you have could easily have taken more than a year. You have it in <6 months. My guess is that you're proportionately that far behind on your CUC and coral additions as well.

I would not add any more fish until you have a handle on the algae situation.....and then I'd begin a program something like I outlined where it all happens a lot slower.

Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank, right?

 

[Jordan Kutun]

Thanks guys