Algae Issue

[ForEverOnTheRoad]

All my fish and corals seem to be doing well but I am developing the progressive Green Algae on my rocks (attached photo). Keeps getting lower and lower in the aquarium. I recently added a Chaeto (4 days ago) and have added a GFO/Carbon (BulkReefSupply combo) filter working for about 2 weeks. Cut back on feeding this week.

Progress may have slowed, but not sure.

Is there anything else I should be doing or just be patient and let the chaeto do it's job.

Here are my details

Tank is about 75 days old.
65 Gallon DT
25 Gallon Sump
Ph 7.9
AK 13.2 Hanna
Ca 510 Hanna
Mg 1550 Red Sea
Nitrate around 4 on Red Sea Pro Kit
Phosphate 0 on Red Sea Pro Kit
Phosphate 0.03 on Hanna Checker
Nitrite 106 Hanna checker
Ammonia 0

Thanks In Advance!

 

[Tautog]

Welcome to Reef2 Reef
If you don’t have a Tang or Algae Blennie , get one, Algae Blennie is your best choice for your size tank.
That algae is ok. Do you have a UV light on your return line?
Be sure to use only R/O when making water for a WC. If not, it could lead to more algae problems

 

[ForEverOnTheRoad]

I have a Tang and a Diamond Goby but no blennie. No UV, but I have one I could add. Little undersized, but I could add it to the GFO input or output would be perfect size for that...

 

[Sallstrom]

You could add some hermit crabs or a urchin as well. But the important thing is to be patient. And you will only risk more trouble (like sad corals and cyano) if you lower the nutrients more, at least IMO.
The algae need to be beaten by competition, e.g. Grazed, and then out competed by calcareous algae.

/ David

 

[Tautog]

Algae Blennie are cheap........get one......it’s a must have in my opinion

 

[mcarroll]

that does not look like normal healthy algae.

It also looks like you're starving your tank by the phosphate numbers. That is probably driving the strange algae.

If you are doing anything to keep nutrient low, stop.

That includes everything including chaeto, carbon dosing, GFO, water changes, everything.

Let me know if any/all of those apply

 

[mcarroll]

That does not look like normal healthy algae.

It also looks like you're starving the tank by the phosphate numbers.

That is probably driving the strange algae – not helping.

If you are doing anything to keep nutrients low, stop.

That includes everything including chaeto, water changes, GFO, carbon dosing, et al.

 

[ForEverOnTheRoad]

Ok. I will shut down the GFO. Not sure what to do with the Chaeto as I don't have another area for it.

 

[Captmcfly]

Lower light cycle on your cheato will reduce its effectiveness.

 

[ForEverOnTheRoad]

Thanks...

 

[Captmcfly]

I’d bet algae will plague you for a year or so keep reading and learning don’t give up its a well worth effort

 

[Syoung]

Is that 13.2 dKH alkalinity and 106 ppm Nitrite? If so those are both fairly high, and a water change or two to bring down the nitrites might be beneficial.

For the algae, I'm of the camp that a new tank (yours is under 3 months) goes through cycles (diatoms, cyano, algae...) as it matures. If it isn't suffocating corals or causing problems, I monitor it and make small or no changes for a decent period of time (~1-2 months).

What sort of clean up crew do you have?

 

[ForEverOnTheRoad]

Is that 13.2 dKH alkalinity and 106 ppm Nitrite? If so those are both fairly high, and a water change or two to bring down the nitrites might be beneficial.

For the algae, I'm of the camp that a new tank (yours is under 3 months) goes through cycles (diatoms, cyano, algae...) as it matures. If it isn't suffocating corals or causing problems, I monitor it and make small or no changes for a decent period of time (~1-2 months).

What sort of clean up crew do you have?

Clean up crew is about 7 turbo snails. Also have a Diamond Goby. Will probably get an Algae Blennie based on recommendations here. Let me know if you suggest anything else...Thanks...

 

[polyppal]

If you nitrites are that high then theres something up with your bio filter... Maybe add a boost with some bio-spira to help balance things

 

[75pxatr]

How old is your tank? It looks like it is not that old and probably still maturing. What type of light are you using and what is your light cycle? If your tank is newer, I would consider reducing the light cycle.
Also, your alkalinity seems high. Everyone has their opinion on this but look at some of the beautiful reef tanks on this sight and I bet you see an alkalinity range average 8-10dkh