Need help with algae

c1chl1d · Sep 9, 2020

Hello, I am new to this community but excited to be here.

I recently set up a new 24 gallon Aquatop tank to host a clownfish I have had for 15 years (longer than one of my kids). The tank has been set up for just under three months, and I suddenly have an algae explosion.

My current stats are as follows:

High range PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Calcium: 280
Phosphate: 0
Carbonate Hardness: 196.9 ppm kh / 11dkh

The tank if pretty empty at the moment, with a single anemone, one soft coral, and a few snails and hermits, along with my precious clown.

Before I go hard at killing the algae I was hoping someone could help me identify the strain and perhaps recommend a plan of attack. I have attached some photos.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Dw79 · Sep 9, 2020

Looks like green hair algae

Daniel92481 · Sep 9, 2020

Looks like GHA, but could possibly be dinos due to 0 phosphates or nitrates. You might need a small microscope to determine.

c1chl1d · Sep 9, 2020

Thanks for the quick replies. Any suggested attack plans?

ReeferWarrant · Sep 9, 2020

Whats your light period? What is your PO4 and Nitrate removal look like? Protein Skimmer? Refugium?

I didnt learn how to start dealing with algae until I understood there needs to be a means of nutrient removal. Most tanks with refugiums do Chaeto. If you cant do that then you may need to look at chemical means.

Also, how new is this tank? It could be going through the stages of meeting an equilibrium with Nitrates. I understand you have 0's in your tank but thats what is currently in the water column. The algae is consuming what was in the water column.

HuduVudu · Sep 9, 2020

c1chl1d said:
Hello, I am new to this community but excited to be here.

I recently set up a new 24 gallon Aquatop tank to host a clownfish I have had for 15 years (longer than one of my kids). The tank has been set up for just under three months, and I suddenly have an algae explosion.

My current stats are as follows:

High range PH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
Calcium: 280
Phosphate: 0
Carbonate Hardness: 196.9 ppm kh / 11dkh

The tank if pretty empty at the moment, with a single anemone, one soft coral, and a few snails and hermits, along with my precious clown.

Before I go hard at killing the algae I was hoping someone could help me identify the strain and perhaps recommend a plan of attack. I have attached some photos.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Biodiversity. Make competition for the algae. Best way to do that is through cured live rock.

Dw79 · Sep 9, 2020

If your tank has only been up for 3 months, then its good chance of just being the ugly phase

c1chl1d · Sep 9, 2020

ReeferWarrant said:
Whats your light period? What is your PO4 and Nitrate removal look like? Protein Skimmer? Refugium?

I didnt learn how to start dealing with algae until I understood there needs to be a means of nutrient removal. Most tanks with refugiums do Chaeto. If you cant do that then you may need to look at chemical means.

Also, how new is this tank? It could be going through the stages of meeting an equilibrium with Nitrates. I understand you have 0's in your tank but thats what is currently in the water column. The algae is consuming what was in the water column.

Tank is pretty new (~3 months). I have a protein skimmer that seems to be doing a very good job and no refugium.

c1chl1d · Sep 9, 2020

c1chl1d said:
Tank is pretty new (~3 months). I have a protein skimmer that seems to be doing a very good job and no refugium.

I forgot to mention my lighting situation. I use a Hydra twentysix and I loaded a profile from their website. See attached. I suspect that profile is not helping matters and would appreciate feedback.