Green dust algae

[Mark Bradley]

My tank has been set up about 12 weeks and green dust algae has become a real problem. I can clean the glass now and it shows again within a very short space of time. Has anyone got a sure fire way to address this problem please?

Snails help but just seem to leave pretty patterns in the algae rather than clear it completely. I’m not trying microbacter clean to see if that works. I don’t believe I’m over feeding. I’ve also changed my clock to 100 micron to try and trap the spores.

Is there a light spectrum that causes more algae - I have a reef photon set to the same levels as my LFS tank and they don’t have a problem.

I’m also told it’s just part of the maturing process. However it’s a pain and I’d like to address it if I can as it hinders the sight of the livestock.

any ideas greatly received - thanks

 

[Hemmdog]

It’s most likely phyto of some sort. Seed your tank with pods, some will consume it. Snails are good. Also invest in a “flipper” magnet. They are strong and good for glass cleaning. It’s normal to clean your glass of phyto 1-3 times a week. I wouldn’t stress.

 

[SPR1968]

It might be worth checking your nutrient levels as raised nitrate/phosphate will make it worse, but apart from that get a good glass cleaner, like the ‘Flipper’ as above.

I clean my glass around every 2 days, so it’s pretty normal.

 

[5280Reefer]

I run a UV 24/7 helps with any dust algae and many other nuisance algae, just run it at the lowest recommended flow rate to get most contact time

 

[Super Fly]

what type of light r u using and it's schedule?

 

[Mark Bradley]

It’s most likely phyto of some sort. Seed your tank with pods, some will consume it. Snails are good. Also invest in a “flipper” magnet. They are strong and good for glass cleaning. It’s normal to clean your glass of phyto 1-3 times a week. I wouldn’t stress.

Thanks - I have snails and they have a good go but don’t really do more than ‘paint’ patterns in it. I haven’t added pods so I’ll try adding some.

 

[Mark Bradley]

It might be worth checking your nutrient levels as raised nitrate/phosphate will make it worse, but apart from that get a good glass cleaner, like the ‘Flipper’ as above.

I clean my glass around every 2 days, so it’s pretty normal.

Nitrates are next to zero and I run a reactor - looks like I’ll just keep cleaning!

 

[Mark Bradley]

I run a UV 24/7 helps with any dust algae and many other nuisance algae, just run it at the lowest recommended flow rate to get most contact time

I may have to think about a uv...

 

[Mark Bradley]

what type of light r u using and it's schedule?

I have a reef photon - I’ve copied a set up in my LFS and they run every colour at 100% for 10 hours and they don’t have issues