How should I get rid of this

JFT267 · Mar 4, 2019

My tank gets some sun at various points through day. I was wondering how I can get that awful green off the rocks because I want to start putting corals. I only run my lights for like 5 hours when it gets dark. Can’t imagine when I have them running all day . Thanks

saintsreturn · Mar 4, 2019

I had this issue and fixed most of it with window solar screens and a blackout curtain. That said, this is my fish room, not the main living area. Solar screens help a lot and it was less than $100 for the windows i needed done.

JFT267 · Mar 4, 2019

The tank is in living room, I can't cover up the window. Not even sure what "type" of algae it is anyway to combat it. I have HOB AQ30 &50, was thinking about converting it into a refugium. Do these even work?

dansreef · Mar 4, 2019

Cool TANK! Is it glass? I have always loved bow fronts and cylindrical tanks. How long has it been running? It looks pretty new. How much direct sunlight do you get?

My 180 reef is in an east facing room and it will get 10-20 mins of direct sun... of course when the sun shines here... I hate winter. But when it does....the tank comes alive. The corals and the fish really like it. Sure... I do get more algae film... but that is easy enough to remove with a scaper. The green on your rocks is totally normal for a young tank. In fact... as the tank ages.. you will get other colors and stuff growing on it. Totally normal. Try to keep your nutrients (nitrates & phosphates) in check. Don't over feed... though your clown may want more, like a dog...they will always want more than they need. I could feed my fish all day long. They are pigs... be careful as that will increase your nutrients and allow for nuisance algae to bloom and grow.

JFT267 · Mar 4, 2019

Yes, it is glass. It has been saltwater for over a year now, however it’s been stable for over 6 months. It gets sun for maybe over an hour depending on what season and if shades are open. I scrape off the film but can’t get it off rocks. Hope it won’t be a problem for coral as I want to start adding some soon.

dansreef · Mar 4, 2019

Nice! How many gallons? Also, what are you using for lighting?

As I look at the tank, I don't see a CUC (clean up crew). I would suggest that you head over to Reefcleaners or LA and get an appropriate sized amount of snails and crabs. That will help with the algae on the rock.

JFT267 · Mar 4, 2019

It’s 30 gallons with AI prime.

Which type / how many snails do you recommend? I only had 5 snails in the past and the only thing left are the shells lol. Maybe there wasn’t enough bio load in the past.

dansreef · Mar 4, 2019

Go over to reefcleaners.com. They have a calculator for the size tank you have. I would guess a good combination of blue leg hermit crabs, ceriths, nassarius, and nerites would be good. The nassarius hermits will eat waste and leftover food. The others as well as the hermits will feed on algae.

Here is the link: https://www.reefcleaners.org/

If memory serves me right, the owner is John and a supporter here at R2R. You can also look at LiveAquaria....

JFT267 · Mar 4, 2019

But don’t all of those packages send an excess of snails that will most likely starve and die?

dansreef · Mar 5, 2019

I don't agree with that assumption. If you feel that you want a smaller amount of snails and crabs, by all means, go ahead and order a smaller package. The key is you need a CUC that will eat the algae on the rocks, leftover food, and detritus. I have ordered from reefcleaners over the years and have been very happy with what I have gotten.

JFT267 · Mar 5, 2019

Ok, will definitely look into . Thank you

Seamore2001 · Mar 5, 2019

I've bought from reefcleaners.org. They were good and responsive. I'm not familiar with the idea that you will lose all of your snails - I've never run into that. Anyway,a s Dan mentions, you can order a smaller package, or you can mix and match to get the exact proportion of crabs and snails you would want. Personally I'd just go with the appropriate package for your size tank and call it done. I'd also dose with kalkwaser or whatever calc additive you prefer so that coraline algae covers the rock, which will look better and go a ways towards preventing green algae on the rocks. You could also think about getting a lawnmower blenny, once your tank matures some, if algae problems persist.

PS: Dan - I've met your avatar, Johnathan Goldsmith (aka the World's Most Interesting Man). Great guy and genuinely interesting.