Algae Issues!

[Robert_Popa_918]

I have a client with a large saltwater aquarium, filled with tons of decorations. All these decorations are white and need to stay white. The tank was started nine months ago and was unable to sustain life until I added some live rock to the sump recently. Since then, all of their white rock and shells have developed a brown coating of algae. I need to figure out a way to return their now brown decor back to white, without constantly scrubbing them down. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[BeejReef]

Encrusting montipora to grow over their decorations (if their decorations are reef safe and not degrading in the tank).

I'm no expert, but I think you're looking to do the near impossible. Aside from the "ugly phase" any newly cycled tank goes through, anything in the tank will grow some algae, whether it's permeable, or impervious. If you have to scrape the glass, you'll have to clean whatever ceramic trinkets they've got in there as well.

Obviously, there are ways to minimize film algae if you're willing to run very low nutrients, bluer lights, snails, etc...

I don't know of any way to keep dry rock pristine white
Purple is the new white!

 

[Robert_Popa_918]

Yeah I appreciate the help, but until I can convince them to turn their tank into a saltwater reef, I’ll have to think of something. My guess is that I will have to bleach some of the white decor every couple of weeks and then air dry them outside for 4-5 days. For the past several months, the clients tank was completely algae free, because it was a dead aquarium. Nothing including fish would survive in their tank. All I did was add 5 pounds of live rock to their sump, to add some biological filtration and beneficial bacteria. This live rock caused the sudden algae.

 

[Robert_Popa_918]

Encrusting montipora to grow over their decorations (if their decorations are reef safe and not degrading in the tank).

I'm no expert, but I think you're looking to do the near impossible. Aside from the "ugly phase" any newly cycled tank goes through, anything in the tank will grow some algae, whether it's permeable, or impervious. If you have to scrape the glass, you'll have to clean whatever ceramic trinkets they've got in there as well.

Obviously, there are ways to minimize film algae if you're willing to run very low nutrients, bluer lights, snails, etc...

I don't know of any way to keep dry rock pristine white
Purple is the new white!

Yeah I appreciate the help, but until I can convince them to turn their tank into a saltwater reef, I’ll have to think of something. My guess is that I will have to bleach some of the white decor every couple of weeks and then air dry them outside for 4-5 days. For the past several months, the clients tank was completely algae free, because it was a dead aquarium. Nothing including fish would survive in their tank. All I did was add 5 pounds of live rock to their sump, to add some biological filtration and beneficial bacteria. This live rock caused the sudden algae.

 

[BeejReef]

You've got your work cut out for you! Time to renegotiate your fees.. lol

 

[Robert_Popa_918]

You've got your work cut out for you! Time to renegotiate your fees.. lol

Thanks man, I really appreciate the advice! I think I forgot to mention that since I’m a volunteer, I don’t get paid for any fees whatsoever. Yeah I’m just a 15 year old getting some experience under my belt!

 

[Dom]

You are the expert. That is why they hired you. I would think that if you explain why this can't be, they would accept it.

I think what you are trying to do is nearly impossible. Some sort of manual removal is going to be involved, no matter what you do, in my opinion.