Algae bloom will not go away

[wiltonk44]

I recently turned my FOWLR into a reef tank by adding a trumpet coral, a GSP and a brain coral. I found a good light for them and the rest of the tank. Within a week or two, my algae has gotten BAD. I got my water tested and Found that my phosphates were high so I used phosgaurd to no avail. Can someone please tell me what Im doing wrong? Ever since setting up the corals and using this new light theres been a boom.

My light is a MARS light with 2 dimmers that hangs roughly 8 inches above the tank. Am I lighting to long/often?
Usually do 80% for 7 hours, 100% for 2 hours and then din it before bed and turn it off before sleep.
Thanks

so much!!

 

[laverda]

What are your Phosphate and Nitrate levels? I find Blue Life Phosphate control works well and does not have the side effects that other media have. I recommend using it at half the recommended dose. Ideally dosing before your filter media.
What type of filtration are you using?

 

[LxHowler]

What are your phosphate and nitrate levels at, if it's just phosphate I have used rowaphos and large water changes in the past to help with my levels when the tank had a spike. What is your filtration setup like? If both are high it will make your algae grown alot.
Also what clean up crew do you have in the ta m to help deal with the growth?

 

[vetteguy53081]

As asked- Begin with water source. . . . what is The phosphate and by chance are you using Tap water from faucet or RO water ?
Is tank at or near a window?

Today: Reduce white light intensity a bit and pull as much hair algae as you can by hand. Add the following snails:

4- Turbo
4- astrea
3- nerite
3- trochus
4-5 nassarius
8 blue leg hermit crabs

If this does not subside therafetr. . considered adding liquid vibrant or Flux

 

[wiltonk44]

Phosphate was/is at .6 and nitrate was 35. I use a fluval 50 HOB and I have roughly 50lbs of live rock in a 29g. Ive gone through some different cleanups. My trochus snails have essentially died off, I have 2 nasarius snails. And Im attempting a second (first one died) Emerald crab, but I havent seen him in a few days. Thanks for replying!

 

[wiltonk44]

I also use RO water, my tank is not near a window

 

[wiltonk44]

Are the snail numbers you mentioned accurate for a 29g?
I also have 2 clowns, an anthias (smaller breed) and a shrimp/goby combo

 

[PbMan26]

I would check your RO source... what are your TDS? Maybe need new filters?

Likely you have had high nitrates and phosphates for awhile but now you have a light that the algae loves.

Manually pull out the hair algae would be my thought. I never had good luck with a cuc taking on that amount.

Need to get your nutrients under control. I'd start with checking incoming water and feeding habits.

Water changes would be good to get nutrients down.

Just my .02

Good luck!