Is this amount of green normal?

[Tronik99]

So my 10g nano has been live for 9 months now. When I first went to my LFS they said I should expect to see green algae grow on the rocks. This is normal and a good time to get some clean up crew.

We had an accident a couple of months ago and I had to drain and dry everything around the tank. (Auto top off fault) so have kept the AI Prime off. For the last week I plugged it back in as I want to add some corals when I can. Attached is the tank today. Is this amount of green normal? When I scrape it off the glass it’s like a slimey film and it drops to the sand and makes it unsightly. The prime is running for 5 hours per day.

I’m a complete novice with reefing so any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[vetteguy53081]

So my 10g nano has been live for 9 months now. When I first went to my LFS they said I should expect to see green algae grow on the rocks. This is normal and a good time to get some clean up crew.

We had an accident a couple of months ago and I had to drain and dry everything around the tank. (Auto top off fault) so have kept the AI Prime off. For the last week I plugged it back in as I want to add some corals when I can. Attached is the tank today. Is this amount of green normal? When I scrape it off the glass it’s like a slimey film and it drops to the sand and makes it unsightly. The prime is running for 5 hours per day.

I’m a complete novice with reefing so any help would be appreciated.

Cheers

This is green film algae and caused by several factors:

Too much white light intensity
Use of tap water rather than RODI
High Phosphate
Tank at or near a window
overfeeding

Light generally the culprit. Reduce the white intensity or number of hours of white light daily and add some snails such as:

Astrea
Turbo Grazer
cerith
nerite
ninja star

Pencil urchin

 

[Mark Novack]

Its just nature saying hello to the light after all of that time. A resurgance is normal after a long dark. There are no more competing algaes. Even the coralines have died back. That aquarium is going to repeat the entire algae cycle most likely.

 

[Tronik99]

This is green film algae and caused by several factors:

Too much white light intensity
Use of tap water rather than RODI
High Phosphate
Tank at or near a window
overfeeding

Light generally the culprit. Reduce the white intensity or number of hours of white light daily and add some snails such as:

Astrea
Turbo Grazer
cerith
nerite
ninja star

Pencil urchin

Hi thanks for the reply.

So I know it’s not the water as I use a company called spotless water which is rodi. It’s not over feeding either.

The tank is near a window but I’m struggling for other places to put it. I have reduced the white light setting on the prime. Iv ordered a phosphate checker but what else can I do to reduce the phosphates?

Will the snails get rid of the green algae that’s on the glass and the rocks?

Sorry for all the questions.

Cheers.

 

[Jekyl]

Hi thanks for the reply.

So I know it’s not the water as I use a company called spotless water which is rodi. It’s not over feeding either.

The tank is near a window but I’m struggling for other places to put it. I have reduced the white light setting on the prime. Iv ordered a phosphate checker but what else can I do to reduce the phosphates?

Will the snails get rid of the green algae that’s on the glass and the rocks?

Sorry for all the questions.

Cheers.

You're going through the ugly phase. Something everyone experiences who use dry rock. Manage parameters, ensure proper CuC, seed some coraline by finding some on a hermit or snail and scraping it off into a powerhead.

 

[Mark Novack]

Yes. You want a good clean up crew (CUC) selected for your tank size. Indispensible. Experienced tip: Don't just buy a whole pack at once. Build it up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi thanks for the reply.

So I know it’s not the water as I use a company called spotless water which is rodi. It’s not over feeding either.

The tank is near a window but I’m struggling for other places to put it. I have reduced the white light setting on the prime. Iv ordered a phosphate checker but what else can I do to reduce the phosphates?

Will the snails get rid of the green algae that’s on the glass and the rocks?

Sorry for all the questions.

Cheers.

Questions welcomed.
Snails and urchin will help greatly BUT you must reduce the white lighting or turn off white a few days.
For your water, , , Test it or have an LFS test for nitrates and phosphates to see where youre at.
For window, try a sheet of black construction paper from Walmart ($1.38) and place at area facing window and you will again see a reduction

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi thanks for the reply.

So I know it’s not the water as I use a company called spotless water which is rodi. It’s not over feeding either.

The tank is near a window but I’m struggling for other places to put it. I have reduced the white light setting on the prime. Iv ordered a phosphate checker but what else can I do to reduce the phosphates?

Will the snails get rid of the green algae that’s on the glass and the rocks?

Sorry for all the questions.

Cheers.

Is spotless water company just RO? Or are you positive it's RO/DI? M pretty sure that is just ro.

 

[Tronik99]

Cheers guys.

I’ll struggle at Walmart being in the UK but I’ll find something similar.

Pretty sure spotless water is rodi. A reefer I follow on YouTube and insta called Jays Real Reef uses it and his tank is beautiful.

I’ll start the clean up crew purchase tomorrow and nip to the LFS.