Tank/Algae Questions

Garrett3 · Mar 30, 2018

Hello all, it’s been a good 3 months so far for the cube especially with the addition of an AI Prime recently. However algae has began to overrun the back wall as well as some of the liverock.

Any suggestions? Nitrates always below 5-7ppm and although I have the power head I’m not sure if there’s a dead spot on the right side of the tank.

Maggie321 · Mar 30, 2018

New tank uglies... keep up with water changes and routine maintenance. How long are your lights on? You might think about shortening your photo period if it's on longer than 6 to 8 hours.

K. Steven · Mar 30, 2018

Chrysophytes?

Garrett3 · Mar 30, 2018

Maggie321 said:
New tank uglies... keep up with water changes and routine maintenance. How long are your lights on? You might think about shortening your photo period if it's on longer than 6 to 8 hours.

Just changed it to this, was running at about 10 hours before with peak lighting about 8. Thank you for the suggestion!

Garrett3 · Mar 30, 2018

K. Steven said:
Chrysophytes?

Never heard of that. I googled it and it didn’t appear similar to what I have. What do you think?

Maggie321 · Mar 30, 2018

Mine comes on later in the day so I can leave it on in the evening when I can enjoy it the most. I don't have a controller yet. I'll be getting one soon though. Hopefully reducing lights will help you. It did for me.

savetheocean · Mar 30, 2018

Every new tank goes through this. It sucks right now but if you keep up with your maintenance it WILL go away.

Sallstrom · Mar 30, 2018

IMO keeping the nutrients at "the right" level is more how to get the corals to trive, the algae needs to be eaten(maybe you could wait for them to go away but that can take a long time

). I suggest you get a sea urchin or some other herbivores.

/ David

savetheocean · Mar 30, 2018

Siphon as much of it out as you can during water changes.

jsker · Mar 30, 2018

Garrett3 said:
Just changed it to this, was running at about 10 hours before with peak lighting about 8. Thank you for the suggestion!

You can run your lights longer just cut the white to no higher tank 30% for 5.5 hours. Run your greens and red were they are at now but for the same 5.5 hours. This will cut back on the growth.