6 week tank algae problem.

mangelo · 08/13/2008, 02:32 PM

I know that as the tank cycles the algae goes from brown to green, but I am scraping it off about every 2-3 days. It is green now and doesn't stop!

My lighting schedule is T5 = 12 hours and 15000K MH = 8 hours.

Is there anything I can do? Is this normal?

Thanks.

andrew jacoby · 08/13/2008, 02:49 PM

I had the same issue at first and I backed my lighting down to only 8 hours a day. As I added corals and fish I moved it back up. I also have a black sailfin blenny who makes quick work of most algaes.

sps1-2-b · 08/13/2008, 03:35 PM

Are you using ro/di? Algae has to have nutrients to fuel them. Possible phosphates, nitrates, even silicates in your water. Snails, hermits, urchins, etc. will help control the unwanted algae. Some algae is normal, but out of control algae is not.

sps1-2-b · 08/13/2008, 03:38 PM

Oh, also I just noticed your tank is 6 weeks old. Newer tanks tend to have more algae than more mature tanks. Coralline algae plays a role in this and may take 3-4 mos to show up if your calcium is consistently >400 ppm. Don't forget about alkalinity and magnesium.

08/13/2008, 02:32 PM	#1
mangelo Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 480	6 week tank algae problem. I know that as the tank cycles the algae goes from brown to green, but I am scraping it off about every 2-3 days. It is green now and doesn't stop! My lighting schedule is T5 = 12 hours and 15000K MH = 8 hours. Is there anything I can do? Is this normal? Thanks.

08/13/2008, 02:49 PM	#2
andrew jacoby Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 100	I had the same issue at first and I backed my lighting down to only 8 hours a day. As I added corals and fish I moved it back up. I also have a black sailfin blenny who makes quick work of most algaes.

08/13/2008, 03:35 PM	#3
sps1-2-b Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 1,248	Are you using ro/di? Algae has to have nutrients to fuel them. Possible phosphates, nitrates, even silicates in your water. Snails, hermits, urchins, etc. will help control the unwanted algae. Some algae is normal, but out of control algae is not.

08/13/2008, 03:38 PM	#4
sps1-2-b Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 1,248	Oh, also I just noticed your tank is 6 weeks old. Newer tanks tend to have more algae than more mature tanks. Coralline algae plays a role in this and may take 3-4 mos to show up if your calcium is consistently >400 ppm. Don't forget about alkalinity and magnesium.