How did this happen! I need it gone asap.

[the bomb]

So my tank has been over run by algae in the past week any tips to prevent it and get rid of it? And if I use chemical treatments will it kill my fish?

 

[Bpones]

Looks like you’re cycling this tank, or at least getting through the early stages. How long has it been set up?

 

[Tamberav]

So my tank has been over run by algae in the past week any tips to prevent it and get rid of it? And if I use chemical treatments will it kill my fish?

Algae is normal if the tank is new, do you have a clean up crew to eat it? Snails? Crabs?

What source water do you use?

A chemical treatment in a young tank can lead to Dino which is a worse algae than what you have. I would not suggest chemicals for something that is normal.

 

[VintageReefer]

I see no coral. Turn off the lights for several days to control growth and add snails and hermits. A bunch of Mexican turbos will eat that up

 

[the bomb]

No I do not have a clean up crew. What would you suggest? And my tank has been running for 2 months. Will leaving the lights off effect the fish?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Your tank is going through the normal "ugly phase" of a saltwater aquarium, the first 6-12 months is basically trying to stabilize your tank so that algae doesn't grow so easily, this is what we call developing the biome.

You should start reading and researching the next steps for your tank. Get more snails and crabs, get good test kits for nitrate and phosphate (not API), start learning how to control the nutrients.

We frown on chemicals in this hobby, try to do everything the natural way.

 

[VintageReefer]

No I do not have a clean up crew. What would you suggest? And my tank has been running for 2 months. Will leaving the lights off effect the fish?

Lights off won’t affect the fish. Do you have ambient room lighting from daylight?

if not you can still use your lights just run them on a very low percentage, a few hours a day is fine.

Cleanup crew you want a variety. Mexican turbo snails and scarlet hermits are great. I would start with 10-15 of each and then give it a week and see what progress they make


Some nassarius snails will keep the sand stirred and eat food that is missed by the fish.