Algae

[fishmaster818]

I have a little bit of green algae but it doesnt look like hair algae. I want to know how come its growing. My phosphates and nitrates are 0. Should i just get some turbos and a lawnmower blenny

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Algae need a source of nitrogen (usually nitrate or ammonia), phosphate, iron, light, and a space to grow (and maybe a few other trace elements.

If you take any of those away, it cannot grow. Regardless of what a kit may say, there is adequate phosphate for the algae, and reducing it can be a good plan, unless it is an unusual type that grows well even at low nutrient levels (such as Bryopsis).

A herbivore is also a good plan. What to pick depends on the size of the tank and the algae you have.

 

[fishmaster818]

Algae need a source of nitrogen (usually nitrate or ammonia), phosphate, iron, light, and a space to grow (and maybe a few other trace elements.

If you take any of those away, it cannot grow. Regardless of what a kit may say, there is adequate phosphate for the algae, and reducing it can be a good plan, unless it is an unusual type that grows well even at low nutrient levels (such as Bryopsis).

A herbivore is also a good plan. What to pick depends on the size of the tank and the algae you have.

I have a 72 gallon and this is the algae

 

[fishmaster818]

Water changes will help to right

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, but water changes are generally not the best way to export nutrients since it takes so many or so much to get nutrients adequately low.

These have more:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Aquarium Chemistry: Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[fishmaster818]

Yes, but water changes are generally not the best way to export nutrients since it takes so many or so much to get nutrients adequately low.

These have more:

The “How To†Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Phosphate and the Reef Aquarium by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Aquarium Chemistry: Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium ? Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

Im an idiot. I forgot to clean my filter socks so they where filthy. But if i rinse the in the sink for fifteen minutes each should they be clean enough

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

OK, maybe that will help.

 

[fishmaster818]

OK, maybe that will help.

Are these clean enough

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'd wear them.

 

[fishmaster818]

I'd wear them.

Hahaha

 

[fishmaster818]

I'd wear them.

So what kind of herbivore should i get

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In a bigger tank I'd get a foxface (I have one). In a 72, i'd probably stick to smaller things, but a yellow tang might be a possibility.

 

[Rockhead]

I found cleaning my socks in just bleach only and then rinse in ro water and then let dry worked best for me

 

[fishmaster818]

I have a yellow tang

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, I missed that. Does it eat this algae?

 

[fishmaster818]

Sorry, I missed that. Does it eat this algae?

Sometimes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Well, if it does not keep it under control, perhaps some snail or crabs can usefully be added while at the same time trying to export more phosphate.