Green Algae Problem

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/22/2009, 10:07 PM

I'm in need of some advise, I am being overwelmed by green algae haze on the glass surfaces. If I dont clean it everyday w/ my magnet it completely covers the glass. When I clean it, it seems like a powdery substance. I run a fugi w/ 10lbs LR, 1 gallon of Miracle mud, Chaeto, and TLF phosban reactor w/ media. I perform weekly water changes of 15ga w/ RODI water reading 0tds (recently changed all filters) w/ Brightwell salt. I run an 8 bulb Current fixture w/ new bulbs replaced (1) week ago, because I thought the bulbs were the problem. My system is 72ga w/ 80lbs LR in the display, 60lbs LS, a tunze 9005 protein skimmer, 4" filter sock.

Water parameters:
Salinity 1.024
Temp 79'
Ammo 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm
PH 8.2
Ca 375ppm
Phos .05ppm

Help!!!!!

coastie81 · 12/22/2009, 10:13 PM

are you cleaning your filter sock often??

firewalk30 · 12/22/2009, 10:25 PM

i have the same problem at times

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/23/2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coastie81

are you cleaning your filter sock often??

To be honest I kind of lack in sock maintenance I would say every three/four days. Do you think that could be the problem? I am forgetful when it comes to the filter sock.

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/23/2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firewalk30

i have the same problem at times

What do you do when this happens to your tank?

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/23/2009, 12:29 AM

I have been thinking of eliminating the filter sock, and adding a UV filter. Any comments on this?

firewalk30 · 12/23/2009, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC/NJREEFS

What do you do when this happens to your tank?

get out my mag float and clean glass!! LOL I think its phosphates. Im gonna try a phosphate reactor.

Chiefsurfer · 12/23/2009, 10:16 AM

you have fish or inverts that you feed? Sounds likie a nutrient problem, as your nitrates are up, and you can read phosphates, which you usually don't read much/any if you have an algae problem because they use it all up before you can test it.

How is the cheto growing?

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/23/2009, 07:07 PM

Chiefsurfer, I have a mixed reef, corals and fish. Chaeto is growing well I'm due for a trim though.

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/24/2009, 10:41 AM

I was told if I took 2 bulbs out of the fixture and only use 6 that may help? Do you think this could work?

wab · 12/24/2009, 12:09 PM

Its not a light problem, its phosphates. I would cut way back on feeding and get some mexican turbos. If you shut off the lights or take out the spectrum that grows algae it will die but as soon as you put them back on it will be back.Good Luck

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/25/2009, 12:11 PM

Thanks WAB, I have get rid of the phosphates then. I saw Chemi-pure w/ Ferric Oxide would this work well or should I start Phosban in another reactor? I would like the most effective means. If I cut way back on feeding wont that starve my fish and make them agressive.

Amici316 · 12/25/2009, 01:03 PM

Are you skimming wet or dry?

Kbreef · 12/25/2009, 01:32 PM

Have you tested for phospates yet ? Nitrate level is high at 20 ppm. I get green film algae. If I do not clean the glas for 2 to 3 days you start to notice. I have 4 Mexican Turbo snails, and they do a good job of cleaning the algae off the glass.....but you still need to scrub with the mag as you see the snail trails on the glass...

Find the source of the extra nutients and you will have found the algae problem. GoodLuck and Merry Chritsmas

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/25/2009, 04:14 PM

Thanks KBREEF.

Gill again · 12/26/2009, 07:38 AM

Im having this same issue right now. Seemed like all is well and not doing anything different and whamo the algae. I am running GFO and phosphates are nothing. I didnt really think about nitrites being used up by algae. All my parameters test well in norm. I think its a feeding thing for me. I use a frozen blend and it gets everywhere when the fish dont take it whole. LFS says this is all he feeds but he has algae in a lot of his display tanks. Hmmmmm, thats funny!

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/27/2009, 12:26 AM

Amici316 my skimmer is dialed in to skim wet. Its a Tunze 9005 running in the sump. Should I start to skim dry? I get a dark greenish/brown gunk in the cup.

NYC/NJREEFS · 12/29/2009, 12:09 AM

I have just purchased TLF Phosban to run in my reactor and a UV filter to clarify the water. Should I buy the nitrate reactor from Midwest Aquatic? Or just continue to make small water changes everyother day until I flush out the excess nutrients? Please advise!!

NYC/NJREEFS · 01/02/2010, 02:21 AM

Happy New Year and good news I started Phosban in my TLF reactor on Tuesday and performed a 20ga water change. I just got back home from work and for the first time in a long while I have a clean glass!!! I think its working but will test later today when I wake up. I will do another water change in a day or two to continue lowering the nitrates in the water.

12/22/2009, 10:07 PM	#1
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem I'm in need of some advise, I am being overwelmed by green algae haze on the glass surfaces. If I dont clean it everyday w/ my magnet it completely covers the glass. When I clean it, it seems like a powdery substance. I run a fugi w/ 10lbs LR, 1 gallon of Miracle mud, Chaeto, and TLF phosban reactor w/ media. I perform weekly water changes of 15ga w/ RODI water reading 0tds (recently changed all filters) w/ Brightwell salt. I run an 8 bulb Current fixture w/ new bulbs replaced (1) week ago, because I thought the bulbs were the problem. My system is 72ga w/ 80lbs LR in the display, 60lbs LS, a tunze 9005 protein skimmer, 4" filter sock. Water parameters: Salinity 1.024 Temp 79' Ammo 0ppm Nitrite 0ppm Nitrate 20ppm PH 8.2 Ca 375ppm Phos .05ppm Help!!!!!

12/23/2009, 12:29 AM	#6
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem I have been thinking of eliminating the filter sock, and adding a UV filter. Any comments on this?

12/23/2009, 07:07 PM	#9
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem Chiefsurfer, I have a mixed reef, corals and fish. Chaeto is growing well I'm due for a trim though.

12/24/2009, 10:41 AM	#10
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem I was told if I took 2 bulbs out of the fixture and only use 6 that may help? Do you think this could work?

12/24/2009, 12:09 PM	#11
wab Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: nj Posts: 512	Its not a light problem, its phosphates. I would cut way back on feeding and get some mexican turbos. If you shut off the lights or take out the spectrum that grows algae it will die but as soon as you put them back on it will be back.Good Luck __________________ 1 year plus and still I DON'T KNOW!!!! LOL Current Tank Info: 45 high 30 breeder sump/refuge diy

12/22/2009, 10:13 PM	#2
coastie81 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mt. View, California Posts: 131	are you cleaning your filter sock often??

12/22/2009, 10:25 PM	#3
firewalk30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Greenwood, AR Posts: 84	i have the same problem at times

12/23/2009, 10:16 AM	#8
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	you have fish or inverts that you feed? Sounds likie a nutrient problem, as your nitrates are up, and you can read phosphates, which you usually don't read much/any if you have an algae problem because they use it all up before you can test it. How is the cheto growing?

12/25/2009, 12:11 PM	#12
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem Thanks WAB, I have get rid of the phosphates then. I saw Chemi-pure w/ Ferric Oxide would this work well or should I start Phosban in another reactor? I would like the most effective means. If I cut way back on feeding wont that starve my fish and make them agressive.

12/25/2009, 01:03 PM	#13
Amici316 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 85	Are you skimming wet or dry?

12/25/2009, 01:32 PM	#14
Kbreef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario Posts: 86	Have you tested for phospates yet ? Nitrate level is high at 20 ppm. I get green film algae. If I do not clean the glas for 2 to 3 days you start to notice. I have 4 Mexican Turbo snails, and they do a good job of cleaning the algae off the glass.....but you still need to scrub with the mag as you see the snail trails on the glass... Find the source of the extra nutients and you will have found the algae problem. GoodLuck and Merry Chritsmas

12/25/2009, 04:14 PM	#15
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem Thanks KBREEF.

12/26/2009, 07:38 AM	#16
Gill again Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Montgomery,Alabama Posts: 205	Im having this same issue right now. Seemed like all is well and not doing anything different and whamo the algae. I am running GFO and phosphates are nothing. I didnt really think about nitrites being used up by algae. All my parameters test well in norm. I think its a feeding thing for me. I use a frozen blend and it gets everywhere when the fish dont take it whole. LFS says this is all he feeds but he has algae in a lot of his display tanks. Hmmmmm, thats funny! __________________ Beauty depends on size as well as symmetry. No very small animal can be beautiful, for looking at it takes so small a portion of time that the impression of it will be confused. Nor can any very large one, for a whole view of it cannot be had at once, and so there will be no unity and completeness. Aristotle <------apparently he never had a salt water aquarium Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef , 40 gal sump with refugium

12/27/2009, 12:26 AM	#17
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Amici316 my skimmer is dialed in to skim wet. Its a Tunze 9005 running in the sump. Should I start to skim dry? I get a dark greenish/brown gunk in the cup.

12/29/2009, 12:09 AM	#18
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem I have just purchased TLF Phosban to run in my reactor and a UV filter to clarify the water. Should I buy the nitrate reactor from Midwest Aquatic? Or just continue to make small water changes everyother day until I flush out the excess nutrients? Please advise!!

01/02/2010, 02:21 AM	#19
NYC/NJREEFS Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Big Apple Posts: 212	Green Algae Problem on Glass Happy New Year and good news I started Phosban in my TLF reactor on Tuesday and performed a 20ga water change. I just got back home from work and for the first time in a long while I have a clean glass!!! I think its working but will test later today when I wake up. I will do another water change in a day or two to continue lowering the nitrates in the water.