So MUCH ALGAE

[savetheocean]

Theres so much algae on my sand and my rocks, ammonia is zero. What can I do?

 

[Dr.HarlemTutu]

We need a lot more info. Nitrate, nitrite, age of tank, rock type(started with dry or ocean rock) water source, water movement... pictures help.

 

[ChiCity]

We need a lot more info. Nitrate, nitrite, age of tank, rock type(started with dry or ocean rock) water source, water movement... pictures help.

... I’m guessing it’s cyano.

 

[Dom]

Theres so much algae on my sand and my rocks, ammonia is zero. What can I do?

You should test for Nitrates and Phosphates. When elevated, algae blooms tend to be the result. Test and get back to us. Once we determine whats high, we can then try to locate the source.

 

[savetheocean]

Nitrite and Nitrate are zero, im waiting for Nitrate to elevate a bit.
I use RO/DI water.
I used CaribSea life rock


I mix the sand around ALL the time to get rid of it, but it comes back worse within hours.

(Excuse how cloudy it is, I just churned all the sand.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Nitrite and Nitrate are zero, im waiting for Nitrate to elevate a bit.
I use RO/DI water.
I used CaribSea life rock


I mix the sand around ALL the time to get rid of it, but it comes back worse within hours.

(Excuse how cloudy it is, I just churned all the sand.

looks to be cyanobacteria.

 

[savetheocean]

I would do a blackout but I got a couple corals 2 days ago and they havent fully opened and I want to let them settle in.

 

[Dom]

Nitrite and Nitrate are zero, im waiting for Nitrate to elevate a bit.
I use RO/DI water.
I used CaribSea life rock


I mix the sand around ALL the time to get rid of it, but it comes back worse within hours.

And what about your Phosphates?

I had an algae bloom in my tank last week. It was developing on the glass of the tank, much like what is displayed in your picture. The cause was a new dry pellet food that I started using in my feeder. I've since stopped using the pellets and have gone back to using frozen. I will limit the use of the pellets to feeding when I am away.

 

[savetheocean]

No Phosphate test yet, I am still deciding on a good kit. Any ideas?

 

[XNavyDiver]

No Phosphate test yet, I am still deciding on a good kit. Any ideas?

Hanna ulr.

 

[savetheocean]

Is there anything I can do right now?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Looks like you have diatoms and cyanobacteria.

Questions:

What is your source water? RO/DI or tap?

Dry rock or live?

How long has this tank been running?

What's your lights and lighting period?

 

[Dom]

I would do a blackout but I got a couple corals 2 days ago and they haven't fully opened and I want to let them settle in.

Never liked the idea of a blackout. Sure, you have algae. But I wouldn't deprive the thank of light just to get rid of algae.

 

[Dr.HarlemTutu]

Looks like you have diatoms and cyanobacteria.

Questions:

What is your source water? RO/DI or tap?

Dry rock or live?

How long has this tank been running?

What's your lights and lighting period?

Plus one. Cyanobacteria for sure. Water source is very important as well as lots of water movement.

 

[savetheocean]

RO/DI Water
Dry Rock (CaribSea Life Rock)
6 Months
Current USA Orbit Marine (100% 12 hours because its not a strong light)

Looks like you have diatoms and cyanobacteria.

Questions:

What is your source water? RO/DI or tap?

Dry rock or live?

How long has this tank been running?

What's your lights and lighting period?

 

[Flippers4pups]

RO/DI Water
Dry Rock (CaribSea Life Rock)
6 Months
Current USA Orbit Marine (100% 12 hours because its not a strong light)

Okay.

What is in the tank now, fish or corals? What food do you feed? How often and how much?

 

[savetheocean]

1 Yellow Tang
1 Powder Brown Tang
1 Clownfish
1 Torch Coral
1 Heteroxenia
1 Trumept Coral

Frozen Fish Frenzy and flakes

 

[savetheocean]

1 frozen food piece every day and 2 small amounts of flakes

 

[jimmyzhou]

Have u use gfo?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Reducing your photoperiod will help, as will reducing your light intensity. Try 8 hours of light total and reducing your light intensity by 20%. A black out period may help, but most likely it will come back if the source of the fuel isn't addressed.

Vacuuming your sand and rock to reduce the amount of pest algaes helps, but alone will not eliminate them. The source of fuel is key and reducing it should be your focus. Diatoms feed on silicates and Cyanobacteria on excess nutrients.

Increasing your flow in the tank will help as well.