Tank keeps getting green

[BigAquaBob]

My 75 gallon keeps getting green algae growing all on the glass, rocks and sand. I did a 20 percent water change. It helped but now it's turning green again. I have two AB reef lights that do white on one switch and blue on the other. It seems ever since I got the two I have had a green algae explosion. The tank is 4 months old but up until recently I had one light. I have 4 mexican turbo snails. 2 gsp, a zoa and rbt. I don't want to just kill the lights in case they die but my fish are getting stressed with me cleaning the glass everyday. Everything is good chemically but my nitrates are a lil high at about 35-40. Any thoughts of what to do.

 

[lafarrow]

I would bet a 2-3 day blackout will be long enough to get your algae growth under control and not finish off the things you want to keep.

 

[BigAquaBob]

Do I need to raise the lights up as well? I only have it up 3 inch.

 

[BigAquaBob]

I would bet a 2-3 day blackout will be long enough to get your algae growth under control and not finish off the things you want to keep.

Do I need to raise the lights up as well?

 

[lafarrow]

Do you have any idea of the intensity of the light in your water column. I have had some real algae blooms (as expected since I am less than 90 days from start up) and killing the lights gets them under control super fast. You have to be disciplined about it though. I also have an advantage as my tank is in a room with no real ambient light.

Have you tested your water for the things that promote algae growth? Do you have an outlet in your tank for this sort of growth? Typically a refugium these days?

 

[Uncle99]

I’d turn the whites down.
Certainly would have some concern as you say this occurred after adding lights.
Check your phosphate level, should be say 0.03ppm-.1 and nitrate 2-10ppm.
Deprive algae of its light and its food source, it will die.
There’s a recipe for an H2O2 treatment and also vibrant if your totally frustrated.

 

[BigAquaBob]

I’d turn the whites down.
Certainly would have some concern as you say this occurred after adding lights.
Check your phosphate level, should be say 0.03ppm-.1 and nitrate 2-10ppm.
Deprive algae of its light and its food source, it will die.
There’s a recipe for an H2O2 treatment and also vibrant if your totally frustrated.

It just is crazy. I cleaned front and both sides last night did a water change. Boom today already can barely see in the tank but when I woke up it still looked ok

 

[Jekyl]

New tank uglies. Just focus on your parameters and clean as much by hand during water changes as you can.

 

[BigAquaBob]

I just thought I skipped that phase being almost 4 months in ughh

 

[Jekyl]

4 months is when it starts kicking in lol

 

[BigAquaBob]

4 months is when it starts kicking in lol

Just did about a 20 percent water change. Not as green on the glass but it looks like pea soup in the tank. I can't really see floating particles but it's just barely see through. I'm not trying to overreact or do sweeping changed. My nitrates are down to 25 what do I do next? I've left the light off do I keep doing that for day or two? More water changes? Change the filter?

 

[Peng1606]

Just did about a 20 percent water change. Not as green on the glass but it looks like pea soup in the tank. I can't really see floating particles but it's just barely see through. I'm not trying to overreact or do sweeping changed. My nitrates are down to 25 what do I do next? I've left the light off do I keep doing that for day or two? More water changes? Change the filter?

Is the water green also or just the glass/rocks etc? If the water is green then you will need a UV filter to clear up the water. If it’s just on glass and rocks then as you get your nutrients under control if will settle

 

[BigAquaBob]

Is the water green also or just the glass/rocks etc? If the water is green then you will need a UV filter to clear up the water. If it’s just on glass and rocks then as you get your nutrients under control if will settle

Idk it's definitely on the rocks and glass. I was told that will turn into coraline. The water definitely has a green hue to it. Can I just do a big water change or keep the tank I t eh dark fr a bit?

 

[748S911]

Are you using ro/di water? What type of rock are you using live or dry? Sand or barebottom?

 

[BigAquaBob]

Are you using ro/di water? What type of rock are you using live or dry? Sand or barebottom?

Live, sand. I get saltwater from lfs

 

[lafarrow]

Just did about a 20 percent water change. Not as green on the glass but it looks like pea soup in the tank. I can't really see floating particles but it's just barely see through. I'm not trying to overreact or do sweeping changed. My nitrates are down to 25 what do I do next? I've left the light off do I keep doing that for day or two? More water changes? Change the filter?

I say kill the lights for three days. Full 3 days. Keep ambient light to a minimum. I've had 2 algae blooms and that cleared them both up right quick. Water went from looking like vaseline smeared on the glass to crystal clear.

 

[BigAquaBob]

I say kill the lights for three days. Full 3 days. Keep ambient light to a minimum. I've had 2 algae blooms and that cleared them both up right quick. Water went from looking like vaseline smeared on the glass to crystal clear.

Should I keep doing water changes? Feed the fish? I hope that bta doesn't die

 

[lafarrow]

I have maintained all other routines. It clears up fast, or at least mine did.

 

[John A!10]

Just let the tank deal with it. The water changes are just a waste of salt. As if I was mopping the water of the beach.

 

[Justanano]

How long are your lights on for