Help me get RID of this algae!!!

gwenvet · 02/11/2009, 03:55 PM

I picked up 100lbs of live rock for $100. GREAT DEAL but I have to get rid of the algae that is on it. It's kind of bushy, not the long wavy strands that I see in hair algae. I took a toothbrush to it today and no go. I just can't pick it off ALL these rocks. They're in a covered bin with salt water, a heater at 80 and a PH. Will the algae really die back and how long does it take? When do I need to do water changes?

Brandon M · 02/11/2009, 04:05 PM

Without light the algae should die off, how long I am not sure. I would guess 4-6 weeks.

cash cow · 02/11/2009, 04:22 PM

get yourself some sallylight foot crabs and some urchins........they'll be like lawnmowers for you.........

Jay180reef · 02/11/2009, 04:42 PM

Ya, as the algae dies off without any light source, be sure to brush off dead material from each piece and do a couple big water changes over the next few weeks.

gwenvet · 02/11/2009, 04:56 PM

somewhere I read daily or weekly water changes?
Do I test for Ammonia? And how high can it go before a water change?
Can I add some of my snails and hermit crabs from my tank?

gwenvet · 02/12/2009, 09:00 AM

Hmmm, I just looked on Melv's REef and I think this algae is either Bryopsis or Maidens Hair.
Any more ideas on when to test and water change.

Jay180reef · 02/12/2009, 10:01 AM

Assuming the rocks haven't been out of water, they should be cured (or curing). You'll know in the first week whether it's cured, simply by the smell. If the room smells like rotting flesh/vomit/ocean then the rock is not cured. For that scenario, minimum weekly 50% water changes are needed.
If there is little/no smell, then you can do less frequent water changes. Once the smell has subsided and the rocks looks reasonable to you (less algae) then start your testing.

gwenvet · 02/12/2009, 12:52 PM

There is mimimal smell and only one rock has dying, fleshy stuff on it.
What should I be testing for? Ammonia?

Jay180reef · 02/12/2009, 02:09 PM

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate
I recommend you read the sticky threads at the top of the New to the Hobby Forum for further info starting here:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=196454

svynx · 02/12/2009, 02:45 PM

I was in the same situation with about 50 pounds of rock. I put it in a rubbermaid container along with a heater, powerhead, and a skimmer that I had sitting around. I put the lid on, and that's it. It took about 4 weeks, but it worked. I used the skimmer because I didn't want all the die-off to stay in the water. It helped keep the smell down.

02/11/2009, 03:55 PM	#1
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	Help me get RID of this algae!!! I picked up 100lbs of live rock for $100. GREAT DEAL but I have to get rid of the algae that is on it. It's kind of bushy, not the long wavy strands that I see in hair algae. I took a toothbrush to it today and no go. I just can't pick it off ALL these rocks. They're in a covered bin with salt water, a heater at 80 and a PH. Will the algae really die back and how long does it take? When do I need to do water changes?

02/11/2009, 04:05 PM	#2
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Without light the algae should die off, how long I am not sure. I would guess 4-6 weeks. __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

02/11/2009, 04:42 PM	#4
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	Ya, as the algae dies off without any light source, be sure to brush off dead material from each piece and do a couple big water changes over the next few weeks. __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

02/12/2009, 10:01 AM	#7
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	Assuming the rocks haven't been out of water, they should be cured (or curing). You'll know in the first week whether it's cured, simply by the smell. If the room smells like rotting flesh/vomit/ocean then the rock is not cured. For that scenario, minimum weekly 50% water changes are needed. If there is little/no smell, then you can do less frequent water changes. Once the smell has subsided and the rocks looks reasonable to you (less algae) then start your testing. __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

02/12/2009, 02:09 PM	#9
Jay180reef Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 431	Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate I recommend you read the sticky threads at the top of the New to the Hobby Forum for further info starting here: http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...hreadid=196454 __________________ Jay Current Tank Info: 180G reef, 2x45G sumps, 45G fuge, MH lights w/T5s, ReefOcto skmr, Barracuda pump, Magnum powerheads

02/11/2009, 04:22 PM	#3
cash cow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: oxford, michigan Posts: 184	get yourself some sallylight foot crabs and some urchins........they'll be like lawnmowers for you.........

02/11/2009, 04:56 PM	#5
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	somewhere I read daily or weekly water changes? Do I test for Ammonia? And how high can it go before a water change? Can I add some of my snails and hermit crabs from my tank?

02/12/2009, 09:00 AM	#6
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	Hmmm, I just looked on Melv's REef and I think this algae is either Bryopsis or Maidens Hair. Any more ideas on when to test and water change.

02/12/2009, 12:52 PM	#8
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	There is mimimal smell and only one rock has dying, fleshy stuff on it. What should I be testing for? Ammonia?

02/12/2009, 02:45 PM	#10
svynx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mt. Wolf, PA Posts: 974	I was in the same situation with about 50 pounds of rock. I put it in a rubbermaid container along with a heater, powerhead, and a skimmer that I had sitting around. I put the lid on, and that's it. It took about 4 weeks, but it worked. I used the skimmer because I didn't want all the die-off to stay in the water. It helped keep the smell down. __________________ "What?!? Haven't you ever seen someone work on an engine with an axe before?" Mythbusters Current Tank Info: Biocube 29, Aurora puck LED