Algae problems in Fallow tank

ltrace · Feb 27, 2017

I Have been going fallow in my DT for 20days. This is green stuff starting to grow on a rock and something different is growing on the plate coral. What are they and how to take care of them?
Phosphate 0.0, Alkalinity 9.1, SG 1.025, ph 8.2, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 3-5, Ammonia 0, Calcium 420, Mg 1560.

melypr1985 · Feb 27, 2017

I made you a new thread with this post so that people who are experienced with algae types and treatments can help you. #reefsquad will be able to help too.

Maritimer · Feb 27, 2017

Probably start by reducing the nutrients going into your system ... the corals and inverts aren't consuming _nearly_ as much as the fish were ... kind of a balancing act, because you want to keep the bacterial populations up for the return of the fishes . . . Most of the snails and CUC seem to prefer film algae to hairier types. (Sea hares may be an exception, but they've been known to eat all the algae and slowly starve to death in tanks, so perhaps not an ideal solution.)

Several folks (myself included) have had some success with a bacterial product called "Vibrant". UWC is a sponsor here at Reef2Reef, and active on the board in assisting his customers - and others - with algae issues.

~Bruce

wkscott · Feb 27, 2017

It looks like Bryopsis on the plate coral and GHA on the rock.

Fishgeek88 · Feb 27, 2017

That plate coral is not looking to hot. Algae will overtake corals that are not doing well. How long are your lights on for?

ltrace · Feb 28, 2017

The lights are for 7am-5pm. Blues 7-8am and all others are on from 8am-3pm. Blues 3-5pm. I have picked the GHA off as much as I can but it grows back. A hammer and zoa is attached to the same rock so can't pull it out for extended period of time. Will dosing peroxide help at all?

ltrace · Feb 28, 2017

Fishgeek88 · Feb 28, 2017

ltrace said:
The lights are for 7am-5pm. Blues 7-8am and all others are on from 8am-3pm. Blues 3-5pm. I have picked the GHA off as much as I can but it grows back. A hammer and zoa is attached to the same rock so can't pull it out for extended period of time. Will dosing peroxide help at all?

I would run the blues for a set time like 8-4 and have the whites overlap for 4-5 hours. For that little bit of algae I would not does peroxide.

ltrace · Feb 28, 2017

I'm sorry for not making it clear but the blues are running the whole time span. All other lights are overlapping starting at 8am- 3pm. So are you saying that I should cut down on the time that the lights are on?

Fishgeek88 · Feb 28, 2017

ltrace said:
I'm sorry for not making it clear but the blues are running the whole time span. All other lights are overlapping starting at 8am- 3pm. So are you saying that I should cut down on the time that the lights are on?

Gotcha, I would cut the blues down to 8 hours a day and the whites to 4 hours. Or you can keep duration up and turn down the intensity if your lights are capable of doing that

ltrace · Feb 28, 2017

Would that get rid of the GHA and the Bryopsis on the plate coral?

Fishgeek88 · Feb 28, 2017

ltrace said:
Would that get rid of the GHA and the Bryopsis on the plate coral?

If you have algae problems cutting back light is a good step in eliminating a possible problem. Honestly I think the plate is toast. The white side were the algae is growing looks dead and the tissue on the pinkish/pale side is all receded in. Personally I would toss it. Depending on how big the rock is that the hair/bryosis is you could always pull it out and dip that corner in hydrogen peroxide