How do I get algae under control

[RavinBaby]

Ok I am new to this hobby. I have started my very first saltwater reef tank. At first everything was looking great now algae is taking over all of my live rock, and my zoanthids. Can someone please give me help on how to get this algae under control?

My ph is running low at 7.8 to 8.0
Ammonia is sitting at .05
Nitrite is at 0
Nitrate is sitting at 40

 

[hawkinsrgk]

I would do water changes at 20% per day to get Nitrate to 0.

Then or at the same time, add either Chaetomorpha or Grape Caulerpa or a combination of both. I prefer Chaeto myself since it does not attach to rock. You can add this to your sump and run your sump lights when your display lights are not running. Some people run it 24/7, but I have never done that so cannot speak to it.

You can also look into GFO. I have ran it for the last year and a half and it has really helped my tank

Thanks
Randy

 

[RavinBaby]

Thank you for the help!

 

[fishroomlady]

good advice above, I might not do the water change every day but every other.....I would also advise to be patient algae blooms are pretty common in new tanks and with good husbandry, you can bring it under control. Another quick thing you can do is reduce feeding and your light cycle

 

[hawkinsrgk]

Your welcome. I'm sure everything will work out to get your algae under control

 

[Reefing Madness]

If you don't get your phosphates under control, your algae will not come under control. You can do a 3 day total lights out, that will kill off the algae, but if you still have phosphates it will come right back.
GFO in a reactor or SeaKlear or other liquid phosphate binder will help you with that immensely.

Your Nitrates being at 40 isn't really the problem, they could be a bit lower, but coupled with phosphates, thats how it becomes an issue.