Easy question for the experienced...:-)

[jambi]

I have a 14 gal biocube. I use Pacific salt water-change every 3 weeks. It's located in a bathroom with only one small window nearby in the room and also light from the adjoining bedroom. I keep temperature mat 78 degrees F. I have a big problem with red bubble algae and a smaller problem with green algae. Two clowns, a hammer coral, some dying green star polyp, and a small cleanup crew of hermit crabs-and an emerald crab. I am not feeding too much.

I have the timer set to give 6 hours of white light a day. 7 hours for the light blue light, and 11 hours for the reef light. Is this too much?

And is my temperature ok at 78?

I have Vibrant on the way....

Please suggest...and thanks!

 

[PeaBrain]

I would think the natural sunlight might have something to do with the algae bloom. My understanding is algae takes off under sunlight spectrums and temp (7000K). But I'm no expert.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Could be a lot of things causing algae bloom. We all have to face them. You may want to consider a "scrub" (as I call it). It is a small tank, so will not take too long.

Basically, you remove all your livestock to a holding bin (bucket, tank) and you tank your rocks out and scrub them off with wire bristle brush or such in saltwater. Then use some clean saltwater to rinse. Maybe rinse again.
Remove sand to rinse or replace. Rinse thoroughly with tap water is fine and let dry for future if you have more to use. Otherwise, rinse and put back into tank after you clean the tank. Can re-rinse with saltwater, or add some prime or similar if worried tap contains too many contaminants. Could also put sand on towel and get it dried. I always replace, so not expert on rinsing and putting back.
Now, while rock rinsing and sand rinsing, clean the tank. Empty completely and scrub off the sides, bottom, etc.
Rinse tank well and add it all back in. Dry it if you want with towel.
Put it all back in.

Watch your feeding schedule and keep eye on the algae. You may have to get some emerald crabs for the bubble algae. Red ones are great too.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

My bet is the fact it is in the bathroom! Whenever you flush, a cloud of poop particles fly everywhere and land inside the tank, which is very bad. another big thing could be the direct sunlight, but my bet is just the fact it's in a bathroom in the first place. If I were you, I would get it out of the bathroom pronto, you don't want poop and soap particles in your tank, do you? I wouldn't.

Since the tank is so small, it should be easy to move. I would do a 95%~water change, and siphon out any algae while draining the tank.

Good luck my friend, stay safe and God bless you!

 

[jambi]

My bet is the fact it is in the bathroom! Whenever you flush, a cloud of poop particles fly everywhere and land inside the tank, which is very bad. another big thing could be the direct sunlight, but my bet is just the fact it's in a bathroom in the first place. If I were you, I would get it out of the bathroom pronto, you don't want poop and soap particles in your tank, do you? I wouldn't.

Since the tank is so small, it should be easy to move. I would do a 95%~water change, and siphon out any algae while draining the tank.

Good luck my friend, stay safe and God bless you!

Ha!!! Thanks , you nut! . I will try that!

 

[jambi]

Could be a lot of things causing algae bloom. We all have to face them. You may want to consider a "scrub" (as I call it). It is a small tank, so will not take too long.

Basically, you remove all your livestock to a holding bin (bucket, tank) and you tank your rocks out and scrub them off with wire bristle brush or such in saltwater. Then use some clean saltwater to rinse. Maybe rinse again.
Remove sand to rinse or replace. Rinse thoroughly with tap water is fine and let dry for future if you have more to use. Otherwise, rinse and put back into tank after you clean the tank. Can re-rinse with saltwater, or add some prime or similar if worried tap contains too many contaminants. Could also put sand on towel and get it dried. I always replace, so not expert on rinsing and putting back.
Now, while rock rinsing and sand rinsing, clean the tank. Empty completely and scrub off the sides, bottom, etc.
Rinse tank well and add it all back in. Dry it if you want with towel.
Put it all back in.

Watch your feeding schedule and keep eye on the algae. You may have to get some emerald crabs for the bubble algae. Red ones are great too.

Scary, but I bet you're right. Thanks!!

 

[Ef4life]

How old is the tank? If it’s rather new it’s almost 100% guaranteed to have its share of ugly algae phases. This could just be part of the course of your tank maturing.

78* is fine, i keep my tanks between 78-79.

Lighting of the biocube, not sure as I don’t have experience with that tank and lighting. But natural sunlight can/will cause algae growth.

Vibrant will work, just go slow with it like the directions say and it will take a month or 2 but it will work.

Also maybe step up to water changes every 2 weeks vs 3, and regular filter floss maintenance at least weekly.