Nuisance Algae Covering Reef

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

I have been battling nuisance algae for several months and I'm not sure what to do. I have bryopsis, green hair, and green film algae that will not go away. Phosphates read at zero( probably because the algae consuming all of it) and nitrates are minimal(usually zero, which my GSP hates.) I just started running phosguard and I used to run Clearmax. I removed Clearmax due to it not working well and having reef safe questionable concerns. Please help. I have a Kessil light ramping up at 6:45 with moon lights and till 8 and then light cycle and moon lights starting at 7. I also run a big bag of chemi-pure blue. Posted below is a pictures of my tank.

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

Have you tried carbon dosing or using something like NO3-PO4X from Red Sea? I was having problems with nuisance algae, but the NPX promotes the growth of competing bacteria that remove the nitrates and phosphates before the nuisance algae can metabolize them. The resulting bacteria can then be removed from the system with an efficient skimmer. My nitrates went from 40 to 2 and phophates from 0.36 to 0.02 over 2-4 weeks, and I've even seen nuisance algae stop growing and actually disappear.

Just a thought...

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

Also, bumping up the magnesium seems to really tick off the algae, although macroalgae can be collateral damage in the crossfire. I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I'm pretty sure a spike in my magnesium "burned" my caulerpa and probably helped with the nuisance algae as well.

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Have you tried carbon dosing or using something like NO3-PO4X from Red Sea? I was having problems with nuisance algae, but the NPX promotes the growth of competing bacteria that remove the nitrates and phosphates before the nuisance algae can metabolize them. The resulting bacteria can then be removed from the system with an efficient skimmer. My nitrates went from 40 to 2 and phophates from 0.36 to 0.02 over 2-4 weeks, and I've even seen nuisance algae stop growing and actually disappear.

Just a thought...

I've thought about using the Red Sea stuff. The only reason I was hesitant is I have a GSP coral that hasn't come out in three weeks. I was told I need to have nitrate up a little and it will come out. I thought I would wait to see if it comes up. I also have a Mame Protein skimmer. Is this efficient efficient to to safely use the Red Sea additive?

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Also, bumping up the magnesium seems to really tick off the algae, although macroalgae can be collateral damage in the crossfire. I'm not sure of the mechanism, but I'm pretty sure a spike in my magnesium "burned" my caulerpa and probably helped with the nuisance algae as well.

I have also considered this option. To what level would you bump it up to?

Breakthecycle2 · Dec 31, 2015

I'm going to be honest, some of that looks like Dino's, but I m not sure.

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
I'm going to be honest, some of that looks like Dino's, but I m not sure.

What do I do if this is the case?

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

brandon4432 said:
I've thought about using the Red Sea stuff. The only reason I was hesitant is I have a GSP coral that hasn't come out in three weeks. I was told I need to have nitrate up a little and it will come out. I thought I would wait to see if it comes up. I also have a Mame Protein skimmer. Is this efficient efficient to to safely use the Red Sea additive?

When I had issues with GSPs not behaving properly and losing color, I began adding iodine and after a couple of weeks, they perked up. It may not be a nitrate issue at all but a lack of iodine or other trace element.

I'm not familiar with the Mame protein skimmer, so I'm not really qualified to offer an assessment.

Breakthecycle2 · Dec 31, 2015

Can you take closer pics of the power heads?

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
When I had issues with GSPs not behaving properly and losing color, I began adding iodine and after a couple of weeks, they perked up. It may not be a nitrate issue at all but a lack of iodine or other trace element.

I'm not familiar with the Mame protein skimmer, so I'm not really qualified to offer an assessment.

I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt and do 15% water change once a week. Should I add some other additives as well?

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

brandon4432 said:
I have also considered this option. To what level would you bump it up to?

My magnesium got up to around 1600 ppm which seemed to be high enough to cause issues with algae. RHF has stated that elevated magnesium doesn't have an adverse effect on most marine organisms, but I've also heard others claim that increased magnesium retards algae growth...my experience, although anecdotal, seems to confirm that.

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

Breakthecycle2 said:
Can you take closer pics of the power heads?

Unfortunately I'm not at the house right now. I can take a pic later when I get home

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
My magnesium got up to around 1600 ppm which seemed to be high enough to cause issues with algae. RHF has stated that elevated magnesium doesn't have an adverse effect on most marine organisms, but I've also heard others claim that increased magnesium retards algae growth...my experience, although anecdotal, seems to confirm that.

I'll add magnesium soon and hopefully raise it enough to help rid the tank of algae

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

brandon4432 said:
I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt and do 15% water change once a week. Should I add some other additives as well?

Do you monitor magnesium levels?

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Do you monitor magnesium levels?

No I do not as of now

hinovak · Dec 31, 2015

I have battled alage forever it seems, and I am growing great corals. I think everyone goes through this at some point. if you are following all the guidelines and still having trouble, grab a tooth brush and scrub as much as you can. Typically the clean up crew will help take care of it once it is low to the rock, however, clean up crews, tangs, urchins...ect...will not touch it once it has grown out. Hope this helps!

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
My magnesium got up to around 1600 ppm which seemed to be high enough to cause issues with algae. RHF has stated that elevated magnesium doesn't have an adverse effect on most marine organisms, but I've also heard others claim that increased magnesium retards algae growth...my experience, although anecdotal, seems to confirm that.

What additive would you recommend?

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

hinovak said:
I have battled alage forever it seems, and I am growing great corals. I think everyone goes through this at some point. if you are following all the guidelines and still having trouble, grab a tooth brush and scrub as much as you can. Typically the clean up crew will help take care of it once it is low to the rock, however, clean up crews, tangs, urchins...ect...will not touch it once it has grown out. Hope this helps!

Thanks! Very nice to know I'm not the only reefer who has these problems! I'll be removing a lot by hand as i always do with my weekly routine Sunday maintenance. Hopefully the turbo and Astrea snails step up they're game and work. Or I'll have to fire them and hire a new crew and manager. (I say jokingly)

AllSignsPointToFish · Dec 31, 2015

brandon4432 said:
No I do not as of now

Well, you should consider obtaining a test before you begin this regimen so that you can monitor the progress.

I use Magnesion by Brightwell, but others have recommended Kent Tech M specifically for this issue.

brandon4432 · Dec 31, 2015

AllSignsPointToFIsh said:
Well, you should consider obtaining a test before you begin this regimen so that you can monitor the progress.

I use Magnesion by Brightwell, but others have recommended Kent Tech M specifically for this issue.

Oh definitely. If I decide to dose magnesium I will purchase a Red Sea testing kit