Algae problem

[malas_reefer]

Hi all, having a little problem with algae… it’s like little small leafs and keeps coming back…. I use a toothbrush to take it off but grows back after a week…. Is there anyway of stopping this from growing? Please find attached picture. Thanks

 

[blaxsun]

You could always remove the two corals and then remove and thoroughly clean the rock.

 

[Twoddler]

Parameters? Nitrate, phosphate, salinity

 

[Garf]

Parameters? Nitrate, phosphate, salinity

Lol. So, if they are high, that’s the cause, and if they are low, the algae is sucking them up?

Manual removal combined with an urchin would be my method of attack. A couple of snails would also be helpful. How big is the tank?

 

[malas_reefer]

Parameters? Nitrate, phosphate, salinity

Salanity 1.26
Ph 7.9
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15
Phos 0

 

[malas_reefer]

Salanity 1.26
Ph 7.9
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15
Phos 0

Amonia about 0.3

 

[Gedxin]

Odd to see an ammonia reading. How old is your tank? What tests are you using? I'm assuming that is live rock from somewhere?

 

[malas_reefer]

Odd to see an ammonia reading. How old is your tank? What tests are you using? I'm assuming that is live rock from somewhere?

APi test kit and salifert for phos

 

[Twoddler]

Zero phos wont help either, what test kits are you using?

 

[Twoddler]

I wonder if your nitrate really is 10 ( Api ) and your nutrients have bottomed out, this would favour algae growth. The would clean up, but you need to find the cause or it will keep happening. My bet is lack of nutrients, based on your tests

 

[malas_reefer]

I wonder if your nitrate really is 10 ( Api ) and your nutrients have bottomed out, this would favour algae growth. The would clean up, but you need to find the cause or it will keep happening. My bet is lack of nutrients, based on your tests

I will take to a local shop who have a digital water tester… see what results they get. If they have bottomed out what do i do to solve the issue?

 

[Twoddler]

I will take to a local shop who have a digital water tester… see what results they get. If they have bottomed out what do i do to solve the issue?

What fish have you in the tank?

 

[malas_reefer]

What fish have you in the tank?

Pair of clowns. Tank is over a year old…

 

[Twoddler]

Pair of clowns. Tank is over a year old…

I would take a water sample to lfs and get them to test your water, then make a decision, based on there tests, but don,t feel pressured to buy any quick fix potion, ask them to test all parameters

 

[malas_reefer]

I would take a water sample to lfs and get them to test your water, then make a decision, based on there tests, but don,t feel pressured to buy any quick fix potion, ask them to test all parameters

Finally got to lfs to do a water test…. Results were as follows

 

[Twoddler]

Finally got to lfs to do a water test…. Results were as follows

Nutrients don,t look that bad, phos a little high, what's concerning is your alk, if that's a measurement of ppm, which I think is about 6.2 dkh and your mag is extremely low.

What salt are you using? How do you manage alk, cal and mag ( water changes or dosing )

Back to your original problem, I would manually remove algae, increase algae eating cuc .
Out of interest what did the lfs recommend?

 

[Garf]

Finally got to lfs to do a water test…. Results were as follows

How are you checking salinity? Looks like it may be lower than you think.

 

[Jekyl]

Diversify CuC

 

[N.Sreefer]

Caulerpa prolifera is invasive even when your params are on point, alot of fish eat it most snails aren't fans. My tangs would never let it get a foothold. If you have a big enough tank they work well but if not manual removal will work eventually its just a long battle it will keep growing back from whatever pieces are still wedged in the rock. The trick is persistence because its not strong enough to grow back forever if you keep pulling it out.

 

[Steve27]

1+ on getting an urchin