Annoying issue

[TodaysTrolling]

I’ve had this issue a few months. Figured it for GHA. So cut back my feedings, tried checking nutrient levels. Phosphate is reading 0 (because it’s sucked up in the algae) so it’s hard to tell for me if it’s a phosphate issue. And I’ve never had a problem with excess nitrates. I run a fuge opposite lighting than my display. Chaeto is growing slowly (grow light on them that was recommended on a past post from here). Not sure why it’s growing slow if the GHA isn’t. But whatever. Mainly just looking to see what everyone recommends. Have a tuxedo urchin and a slew of hermits and also a lawnmower blenny. They cannot keep up. 6 bulb T5s running on top. Corals are mostly open and happy, except the zoas which are constantly getting buried. Anyone have recommendations? It’s a 40 gallon breeder, 20 gallon sump. I do a 5-10 gallon water change weekly. I also hand pick out the majority of the GHA weekly. There’s still a lot that’s to attached to the rockwork to pick.

 

[Timfish]

Keep PO4 above .03 mg/l. This is the threashold identified by researchers at Southampton University working with corals in maitained in an aquarium for over a decade. I would get some large hermits and a tuxedo, royal or short spine pink urchin and possibly a sally klightfoot crab to help remove algae from the rocks. I wouldn't increase the size or frequency of water changes but using steel sttraws to scrape algae off the rocks while with a siphon may be easier to remove it.

 

[TodaysTrolling]

I already have the tuxedo and hermits. Not sure if I can have multiple if my tank is only 40 gallons.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I already have the tuxedo and hermits. Not sure if I can have multiple if my tank is only 40 gallons.

Pull what you can by hand and reduce white light intensity for at least a week and add snails such as astrea-turbo-cerith-nerite and trochus

 

[TodaysTrolling]

Pull what you can by hand and reduce white light intensity for at least a week and add snails such as astrea-turbo-cerith-nerite and trochus

Not much white light. Running 6 bulb t5s
4 blue plus
2 aqua blue special

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not much white light. Running 6 bulb t5s
4 blue plus
2 aqua blue special

Is tank at or near a window?
Are you using RODI water or tap water from the faucet ?

 

[TodaysTrolling]

RODI. 4 stage. Near a window but blinds stay down. Guess I could get a blackout curtain. Still. Other side of window is a small yard then a fence and another house. Don’t believe there’s much direct sunlight making its way in.

 

[jabberwock]

What kind of rock did you start with? Tank looks pretty mature. 1 year mark?

 

[TodaysTrolling]

make a year in February. The rock is actually purple covered from start. BUT I’ve always kinda wondered. Supposedly it’s filled with some type of foam to make it lighter. I’ve always wondered if maybe it being solid outside means less room for bacteria to colonize.

 

[jabberwock]

My 1 year guess was based on apparent Coraline discs on the back of the tank. In my opinion, that purple painted rock is garbage...

I would suggest that you have plenty of surface area for bacterial colonization.

It is the "naked" surfaces that promote algae growth.

 

[TodaysTrolling]

Yeah. Actually threw some Marco rock in the sump yesterday to colonize. I’ll wait a few weeks and slow replace the display rock. So I don’t upset the cycle. I’m also adding microbacter 7 daily. And yeah I’ve got some corraline growing.

 

[sdreef]

make a year in February. The rock is actually purple covered from start. BUT I’ve always kinda wondered. Supposedly it’s filled with some type of foam to make it lighter. I’ve always wondered if maybe it being solid outside means less room for bacteria to colonize.

I suggest more herbivores are the solution to look at here. You can pick whichever may fit your situation the best. In addition, I agree with manually removing the large tufts of GHA. Snails and other herbivores will be more successful in maintenance than elimination of large patches of GHA.

I wouldn't chase the nutrients as the algae will outcompete any coral inter My phosphates live above 0.1 and nitrates 5-10 and it's not an issue in terms of producing GHA (But I have a ton of herbivores). The low nutrients may be one of the factors contributing to slow chaeto growth.

 

[TodaysTrolling]

You have any recommendations for additional CUC?

 

[jabberwock]

You have any recommendations for additional CUC?

I am afraid YOU are the clean up crew. Manual remove, manual removal, manual removal.

 

[sdreef]

You have any recommendations for additional CUC?

So currently, you have an urchin, hermit crabs, and a blenny?

I would add a couple turbo snails, some trochus snails, some cerith, and nassarius snails. Regarding the trochus, start with a few and give it a few weeks. If you are seeing things progressively improving, then keep the number the same. If not, you can add some more.

What corals do you want to ultimately keep in the system? What fish are there currently, and what would you ultimately like to be keeping in the system?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

RODI. 4 stage. Near a window but blinds stay down. Guess I could get a blackout curtain. Still. Other side of window is a small yard then a fence and another house. Don’t believe there’s much direct sunlight making its way in.

You'd be seeing film algae on the glass if the window were an issue.

 

[TodaysTrolling]

I am afraid YOU are the clean up crew. Manual remove, manual removal, manual removal.

Do that every other day or so. Doesnt seem to fix the issue. Makes me think its a nutrient issue but cant figure out what or where it would be coming from.

So currently, you have an urchin, hermit crabs, and a blenny?

I would add a couple turbo snails, some trochus snails, some cerith, and nassarius snails. Regarding the trochus, start with a few and give it a few weeks. If you are seeing things progressively improving, then keep the number the same. If not, you can add some more.

What corals do you want to ultimately keep in the system? What fish are there currently, and what would you ultimately like to be keeping in the system?

Softies for the most part. Some hammers and the like. Fish are the following.
2- Clownfish
1- snowflake eel (getting large and may be rehomed to a larger tank soon)
2- Benghaii cardinals
1- lawnmower blenny
1- scopus tang (dont kill me hes tiny and wanted another herbivore, He will be rehomed when he gets slightly bigger)

You'd be seeing film algae on the glass if the window were an issue.

Some film at the end of the week, Not the panel closest to window so im assuming its just from my tanks lights.

 

[jabberwock]

It's just so hard to knock down once it takes a foothold. As much time as you can commit to eradication, you should do.

 

[TodaysTrolling]

The issue with me is even when I knock it down, It regrows. I would think the CUC would be able to handle it when i get it all low. But they can't. Its starting to look brown now, Which i assumed was good. But still well rooted to the rock work. It also has bubbles in it almost like diatoms.

 

[jabberwock]

Yep, I suspect the problem is the rock. I have been there. Dry rock = algae farmer.