Algae outbreak

[paintballer1]

I have a 10 gallon tank, just started with corals so I got a fluval sky light. And for the past few days algae has been covering the glass the rocks and the sand bed. I did a 50 percent water change and I wipe the glass everyday but the next morning the algae is back on the glass. I have 4 snails but they aren't doing a thing. How can I get rid of this algae?

 

[RUNVS]

If it is just a film that is normal I clean my glass every other day to remove that algae film. What kind of water are you using? RO Water with 0 TDS? Have you been checking your nitrates and phosphates? Are there any fish in there? How often do you feed? How long has the tank been setup?

 

[wkscott]

What is the exact model name/number for your Fluval light? The ones that I have found are for freshwater planted or marine fish only. If you have a freshwater planted tank light, it will encourage excess green algae, especially if you have the blue spectrum turned up. Also, this type of light won't work long-term for your corals.

What is your daily photo period?

 

[paintballer1]

I have two clowns and the light is for marine reefs. My nitrates as of this morning was around 5 ppm. The algae is definitely just normal algae that you would find in any tank but it grew quick and will not go away. My lights are on for about 7 hours white and 2 hours blue than off for the rest.

 

[paintballer1]

Tank has been setup for a couple of months and I feed one small pinch of flakes every morning

 

[palmer]

check your RODI water

 

[paintballer1]

I don't use rodi

 

[paintballer1]

Instead just tap water and seachem prime with a uv sterilizer

 

[paintballer1]

The stuff on the rocks is green on the glass is brown and the sand bed is brown as well

 

[Paullawr]

If using Tap water it will contain nitrates and phosphates which will fuel the algae growth.
Mix up some fresh saltwater and test it with a nitrate and phosphate test kit.

Algae sounds like diatoms which are common in new setups. The green could be any one seeded from on the rock.

They normally clear up themselves as tank nutrients deplete however they will remain longer if the water issue isn't sorted.

The other place they will get nutrients from is the rock. If it's from another tank it could be storing nutrients and leaching them to fuel algae growth.

Check your no3 and po4 and see where you are at first. There's no point doing water changes to dilute if the source water is just as high.

Ultimately avoid tap water and then we can it from there.

Welcome to R2R by the way and your newly setup aquarium.

Lots to learn, you will never know it all and yet do it right it will be a fun and fascinating hobby.

 

[paintballer1]

Well the rock was dry when I cycled it I guess it's from the water it's probably the phosphates because I don't have a tester for that and nitrates are fine

 

[Paullawr]

Well the rock was dry when I cycled it I guess it's from the water it's probably the phosphates because I don't have a tester for that and nitrates are fine

Yes tap water will vary. When you say fine on nitrates what are they reading.

 

[paintballer1]

5 ppm

 

[Zack K]

I have two clowns and the light is for marine reefs. My nitrates as of this morning was around 5 ppm. The algae is definitely just normal algae that you would find in any tank but it grew quick and will not go away. My lights are on for about 7 hours white and 2 hours blue than off for the rest.

The light is not recommended for marine use I am sorry to say. It is only 35watts on the 48"-60" model and even less on the smaller ones. It has only 6500k LED's which is enough to grow plants such as algaes or plated Freshwater tanks. This is the reason you are seeing a growth in algae so fast. I would turn the blues up a bit more and whites down

 

[paintballer1]

The people at my lfs use it for there frags it's the aquasky it works great for them which is why I bought it

 

[Paullawr]

5 ppm

Good level to keep it at but you will get the algae you describe even with low phosphates.

I went from ULNS to running at about 3-4ppm. Went from no algae ever...
To what you have.

 

[Paullawr]

Lights sound suitable for soft/Lps.

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/gear/reviews/articles/review-fluval-16w-aquasky-led-light

 

[paintballer1]

How does one reduce phosphates?

 

[paintballer1]

And I only have a Kenya and bottom polyps

 

[paintballer1]

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