I have a algae issue

[ccbobafett]

So algae seems to be getting out of control in my tang especially on sand. I am not sure what types of algae this is but any help for me to remove it is much appreciated. It seems to grow crazy on the sand almost over night rocks and glass not so bad. Here are some pics

All my parameters are good I don't know why it grows so fast tank is around 100 galllons. Thanks

 

[sbash]

Ugh, these issues are always annoying... To help you better, can you provide answers to the following:

What are your Nitrate and Phosphate levels?

What is your current livestock and how much, how often and what do you feed?

How much flow is in the tank?

Are you using filter socks, foam filters, filter floss or anything similar?

 

[RyanCSGO]

Whats your water source and how long has the tank been running?

 

[CodyRVA]

+1 how old is this system?

 

[bif24701]

Looks like cyano.

Have there been any major changes to the system?

Carbon dose?

Water changes?

 

[Merlin79]

Looks like cyano to me.

Have some questions.

What are your nitrates and phos levels?

What is your maintenance routine?

Do you vacuum sand, use a turkey baster on rocks?

What is the filtration method aio, hob, sump and what media used?

In order to get rid of it you have to remove the cause because just physically removing it won't prevent it's return.

 

[ccbobafett]

Ok so the tank is 15 years old cyano is on the rocks on a few spots and glass but the main issue is this green film algae. My nitrates are 0 and I don't know my phosphates. My flow is around 30ish times the tank. I am using a sponge filter and chemi pure and purigen in a hob filter. I also have a hob skimmer. My water is tap water but I have a well. No major changes but I do not water changes often only about 10 percent a night. I do scrub and blast rocks and I scrub the sand almost every other night and it grows back again. I have no cleaning crew because if eel. My live stick includes a foxface 3 chromis pair of clowns and cardinals and the snowflake moray. Thanks for the quick reply sis big help.

 

[Cherub]

You should have your water tested. i would just run an ro unit anyway even if it is well water.

 

[Merlin79]

Your nitrate results may be inaccurate due to the algae using it.

Phosphates are a big culprit for algae issues.

I would check it with a salifert or Hanna checker.

I'm personally not a fan of chemipure. It doesn't last as long as stated and the amount of phos reducing media is very little and gets exhausted prior to the carbon media.

I switched back to seachem carbon and phosguard and got better results.

Does the purigen need changing?

I myself found sponge in filters tends to trap nutrients even when washed. I use filter floss which I change 2 times a week.

I just want to clarify, you do no waterchanges or nightly waterchanges?

 

[ccbobafett]

Monthly water changes I have tested with multiple kits they all read zero so. I think the phosphates may be the issue or maybe I need to do a water change with a vacuum? I will do a water change tomorrow and try to get my phosphates tested any suggestions in to how to lower the phosphates? Thanks

 

[ccbobafett]

I think I will test seachem carbon next since chemi pure almost done thanks for suggestion

 

[ccbobafett]

Oh and I might switch my sponge out with filter floss would this be better? I would probably change it monthly or weekly

 

[Animal Chin]

With a 15 year old tank I have to think you have a lot of build up in your sand bed that looks like gravel if I'm not mistaken. Also eels create a lot of waste if they are a decent size. I don't know how big your tank is but if possible it may be time for a big overhaul. Can you replace the gravel, it looks totally infested with algae? I don't see much coral, can you pull those rocks out and scrub them really well in a bucket?

 

[scurvy dawg]

Ok so the tank is 15 years old cyano is on the rocks on a few spots and glass but the main issue is this green film algae. My nitrates are 0 and I don't know my phosphates. My flow is around 30ish times the tank. I am using a sponge filter and chemi pure and purigen in a hob filter. I also have a hob skimmer. My water is tap water but I have a well. No major changes but I do not water changes often only about 10 percent a night. I do scrub and blast rocks and I scrub the sand almost every other night and it grows back again. I have no cleaning crew because if eel. My live stick includes a foxface 3 chromis pair of clowns and cardinals and the snowflake moray. Thanks for the quick reply sis big help.

Maybe it's a typo, but did you say 10 percent WC a night?

 

[Monkeynaut]

Cyano on glass? What can he do to get rid of the green film on the glass

 

[oscargrumete61]

100% sure is cyano

 

[oscargrumete61]

Get Rodi system . Better filtration not feed heavy . Get good water circulation and made 10% at least water changes every week not matter what happens .not high intensity white light

 

[ccbobafett]

Ok I will look into a rodi system. A lot of the rock is new a few months old some is older. Gravel used to be clean I am thinking it is new light. I am going to vacuum sand bed tommorow and change sponge I will also look into phosphate remover I believe that is the cause because I use my well water I will also scrub evertlything timmoriw. I do not do 10 percent a night I do 10 percent a month but I will step up and do it weekly. Thanks for all the input hopfully this will work will give update tommorow after cleaning.

 

[ccbobafett]

Here are some pics after cleaning going to get phosphate remover also