Lighting to avoid algae

CaptainsReef · Jul 10, 2019

We moved back in March and with SO much going on the fish were enjoying lots of natural light (i.e. we didn't have time to put the lights up) until this past weekend. In 2 days all the rocks started turning a green/brown color so off went the lights.

I have Kessil AP700s (2 of them) over a 150g FOWL. I need to know how I should have my lights set up on the app (please hold my hand and walk me through it) so this algae issue will go away.

Any suggestions please?

JustAnotherNanoTank · Jul 11, 2019

Turning the lights on is going to bring about the ugly phase one way or another. Depending on your tanks parameters (nitrate n phosphate) it may always grow algae with lights on. Do you have a clean up crew?

CaptainsReef · Jul 11, 2019

JustAnotherNanoTank said:
Turning the lights on is going to bring about the ugly phase one way or another. Depending on your tanks parameters (nitrate n phosphate) it may always grow algae with lights on. Do you have a clean up crew?

@JustAnotherNanoTank
The cuc didn't really survive the move. There are currently only 3 fish though. We're just getting started and slowly building our livestock.

JustAnotherNanoTank · Jul 11, 2019

Do you know your tanks nitrate and phosphate levels?

ReeferReefer · Jul 11, 2019

Those lights are super powerful for a FOWLR set up. Run the lights as low as you can visually accept. Turning the lights.

The tank will need to go through an ugly stage as mentioned. Manual removal is your best bet.

CaptainsReef · Jul 11, 2019

JustAnotherNanoTank said:
Do you know your tanks nitrate and phosphate levels?

@JustAnotherReefer
I'm heading out right now but I will get those numbers when I return. What should they be to avoid algae?

CaptainsReef · Jul 11, 2019

ReeferReefer said:
Those lights are super powerful for a FOWLR set up. Run the lights as low as you can visually accept. Turning the lights.

The tank will need to go through an ugly stage as mentioned. Manual removal is your best bet.

@ReeferReefer
They were purchased with the intent of a reef tank but we didn't have corals at the time of purchase. Now we're in a temporary living situation for a year+ and I'm too nervous too get corals and have to move them...

When you say "run the lights as lose as you can visually accept" are you talking about the intensity or the color? I'm super new to all this and need she the help I can get. Also you said to "turning the lights" not sure what you mean by that either.

And what is the best way to manually remove the algae?

Sorry for all the questions but anything you can over is greatly appreciated.

ReeferReefer · Jul 11, 2019

CaptainsReef said:
@ReeferReefer
They were purchased with the intent of a reef tank but we didn't have corals at the time of purchase. Now we're in a temporary living situation for a year+ and I'm too nervous too get corals and have to move them...

When you say "run the lights as lose as you can visually accept" are you talking about the intensity or the color? I'm super new to all this and need she the help I can get. Also you said to "turning the lights" not sure what you mean by that either.

And what is the best way to manually remove the algae?

Sorry for all the questions but anything you can over is greatly appreciated.

I am talking about intensity. For color I would dial back the white as much as is acceptable as well.

Manual removal can be done in several ways. If you can pick the algae off with your hands, do that. You might need to get in there with a toothbrush or something and scrub hard. If its really bad you can remove the rock and scrub outside of the tank. Just keep the rock wet with tank water and try to limit the time the rock is exposed to air to around 30 minutes.

lapin · Jul 11, 2019

The fish dont need the light. If you are not going to get corals, maybe go back to natural light.
Now if you do want to use the lights. Go low intensity like mentioned above. Get some snails. Get ones that will live on the substrate that the algae is on. You will need to manually help them with scrubbing and pulling stuff out. The algae will slowly disappear over time if you keep your nutrients in order. If you want to add corals in the future, this is a good time to go thru the ugly phase. Its a lot easier to clean the rock when you do not have corals.

jtl · Jul 12, 2019

I have had excellent results by taking out pieces of LR that were moveable and dipping them in H2O2 for a few minutes. It really kills the algae.

CaptainsReef · Jul 14, 2019

jtl said:
I have had excellent results by taking out pieces of LR that were moveable and dipping them in H2O2 for a few minutes. It really kills the algae.

@jtl wouldn't that kill everything on the LR?