Algae growth

[rojhonelle]

The algae in my tank keeps building rapidly could this be a result of the position of the power heads any recommendations

 

[Oscar47f]

Algae growth is more often a nutrient problem.... check your phosphates and nitrates...

 

[Dtfnemo]

Algae growth is more often a nutrient problem.... check your phosphates and nitrates...

Hi, nitrate is at 5ppm and phosphate reads 0
Lights are also new and it seems to be enough flow in the tank.
Any ideas why her algae grows so fast

 

[Irishman]

Overfeeding the tank. Phosphates read 0 because the algae is sucking it all up. Clean the algae off and do a water change, probably around 10%. Running a GFO reactor after water change would help too.

 

[rojhonelle]

Ok ok makes sense thank for clarifying that @Irishman and thanks for the measurements @dtf nemo

 

[jeflen651]

I would reposition one of your power heads to the other end of the tank or on the back wall of the tank in the left corner. How many hours a day do you run your lights? What kind of filtration do you have, overflow, canister or sump? How often do you do water changes? Also check out the Vibrant threads, I have been using it now for a 3 weeks and I have seen great results. I was cleaning my glass every other day , now I clean it once a week. I highly recommend it. You can order it from Fragtasticreef.com, they are excellent to work with.

 

[Oscar47f]

Yeah i agree i would try and vary the flow patterns to insure no dead spots as well as to aid in coral growth an development....

 

[rojhonelle]

Refugium sump with full chaeto. Weekly 10g water change. White light 16 hours and blue light 24 hours.

 

[Oscar47f]

i wouldn't leave lights on all the time, you need a dark period which occurs naturally in nature.. i run my lights like 14 hours a day..

 

[jeflen651]

I would definitely cut back on your lights. 8 - 12 hours max for the white light and 4 hours max on the blues. Your tank needs some dark time.

 

[Irishman]

+1 on dark time for tank. The lights are also feeding the algae. Run your lights to match day and night cycle. At night turn on your fuge light to help fight algae.

If your still have trouble fighting algae you can run a 3 day dark period. No lights pointing to your tank at all, wrap it in cardboard or cover it in a blanket. Fish and coral will survive but only do it once a week if you continue to do it.