What do i do?

KillerDana · Dec 30, 2011

Ive inherited a 75 gallons that has been running for about 6 years. I have had this plague of algae breaking out. Its brown and filmy, dosent really root to the rock, i am able to blow it off with a turkey baster but comes back overnight. Skimmer is running good and im Still using RODI at 0 TDS. Tanks lit with 2 MH and 4 T-5. 1 clownfish, a cuc, starfish and 2 small tangs. Only changes i can think of is i pulled alot of macroalgae out of the tank about a month ago. What can i do? What is it? Heres a video i took today. All the debris in the water is algae i blew off prior to filming this.

btkrausen · Dec 30, 2011

Looks like either cyano or dinoflagellates. Trying running GFO and knock down your light cycle a bit.

If its dinos, you can try the h202 dosing method that a few people have had luck with.

florida reef · Dec 30, 2011

Here's what I would do. First, as previously suggested, begin running GFO to remove phosphates. This will help clear up your problem. The more important issue here is the source of what is feeding the cyano/diatoms. What is your feeding like? You mentioned you removed a lot of macro algae, I'm guessing your talking about chaeto or something of the sort. That may be your problem right there, but it's always good to analyze your entire system for areas that may need improvement. Light cycle is another concern. You mentioned you recently inherited this tank. How old are the bulbs? If you don't know I would consider buying all new bulbs and switching them out. Don't switch them out all at once while maintaining your current lighting cycle though. Acclimate your new bulbs...there are tons of threads about this subject. Cutting back your light cycle right now will help reduce cyano/diatoms, but with your situation it won;t get rid of them totally. Also, you may want to consider performing water changes in addition to all of this. This will help reduce the phosphates and eventually speed up the eradication of them for good.
It looks like you have a great set up there...that light is a definite coral grower for sure! Welcome to R2R, BTW. I hope you find it as helpful as I have.

caudill187 · Dec 30, 2011

In addition to all of the very good suggestions, I would turn off the lights, maybe cover the tank for three days. You can do this a few times a month without seriously harming other stuff.

DrTrey · Dec 30, 2011

Welcome, KillerDana. I think that FloridaReef has pretty much covered all of the bases on how to effectively treat either a dinoflagellate or cyano outbreak. Could you provide us with your water parameters by chance, in order to help us focus in on a particular problem area?