What algae and how do I fix it

[vetteguy53081]

I know a lot about aquariums and coral and equipment but not so much about algae how did I get in this situation just over filtrated which caused the nitrates and phosphates to drop to low?

The problem arises when conditions in the aquarium break the biological balance and some dinoflagellate species spread uncontrollably, smothering the rest of the aquarium inhabitants. If the dinoflagellate species in question has the ability to produce toxins (usual in ostreopsis, gambierdiscus and prorocentrum to name a few)
The problem often arises when we try to bring cleanliness it to the limit, in order to improve its appearance and color of corals.
They tend to occur suddenly when the aquarium water reaches an extraordinary cleanliness, in which most microorganisms perishes for lack of food. With no other organisms that can stop them, this type of dinoflagellate can multiply so fast that when we realize it's late and we will find an aquarium full of brown and ochre slime suffocating fish and invertebrates. These dinoflagellates possess chloroplasts enabling them to synthesize their own food even under a minimal amount of light. Some species can form cysts called pellicles which allow them to remain in the aquarium for months although we have completely sterilized or kept in complete darkness. Once the light or the right conditions come back, they will reappear and thus problems.
Most of these dinoflagellates have a very curious behavior, typical of pathogens and parasites. With the presence of light they secrete mucus which adhere to any surface, including algae, coral and fish. They spend hours synthesising food and extending vertically in search of the light source (if we turn off the pumps in the aquarium we can see brown filaments grow towards the surface). When the light source disappears and can no longer synthesize food, it begins to diminish to none.

 

[glb]

I know a lot about aquariums and coral and equipment but not so much about algae how did I get in this situation just over filtrated which caused the nitrates and phosphates to drop to low?

I had a terrible outbreak of all sorts of stuff once when gfo and nopox zeroed out all the nutrients in the tank. It’s possible that’s what happened to you.

 

[Dan_P]

This is the algae in the picture it’s all over my rocks pretty much everywhere it’s doubled to tripled in size over the past two days it’s a 112 gallon with a flame fin tommini tang , clownfish , blotched anthias, blenny, and goby all small. Phosphates are 0.05

How long after adding live stock did this start to grow? Just curious.

 

[SpencerT82]

How long after adding live stock did this start to grow? Just curious.

It started to grow while I had 3 clownfish and a royal grama about a month ago I let it be and then began to see the bubbles did some research and decided to by the tang and anthias to try to increase nutrients about a week ago it was stable for 3-4 days then in the last 2 days it doubled

 

[SpencerT82]

This is likely dinoflagellates and can be beat doing the following:
Prepare by starting with a water change and blow this stuff loose with a turkey baster and siphon up loose particles.
Turn lights off (at least white and run blue at 10-15% IF you have light dependant corals) for 5 days and at night dose 1ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per 10 gallons for all 5 nights. If you dont have light dependent coral- turn all lights off.
During the day dose 1ml of liquid bacteria (such as bacter 7 or XLM) per 10 gallons.
Clean filters daily and DO NOT FEED CORAL FOODS OR ADD NOPOX as it is food for dinos.
Day 5,, you can start with blue lights - ramping up and work your white lights up slowly
Because yours if fairly light, you can try a 3 day and see how things look and go to 5 day if necessary

Should I turn my skimmer on and should I siphon the sand bed which has ton of algae when I do my water change. And after the 5 days or once my lights get back all the way on should I do another water change? Thanks for the help

 

[vetteguy53081]

Should I turn my skimmer on and should I siphon the sand bed which has ton of algae when I do my water change. And after the 5 days or once my lights get back all the way on should I do another water change? Thanks for the help

Run skimmer, yes and do siphon and empty skimmer cup daily and clean filters daily. The idea is to extract and rid of every flagella

 

[SpencerT82]

Run skimmer, yes and do siphon and empty skimmer cup daily and clean filters daily. The idea is to extract and rid of every o

Ok thank you

 

[SpencerT82]

Ok thank you

Does it matter how much of a water change I do?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Does it matter how much of a water change I do?

When you covered your surface area for this stuff, replace what youve removed