Algae outbreak. Can I get rid of it or just wait it out?

[Natural Blue]

So I've got a 120 gallon that was started in October. Cycled 8 weeks and then we added a wrasse and some snails around Christmas. Tank is almost 3 months old now. This last week the rocks have started turning green, the sand is turning brown, and within the last two days the overflows have really started getting a nice brown film over them. Tank now has a clown, 2 cleaner shrimp, wrasse, flame angel, royal urchin, and 8 snails.

Is there anything I can do to treat this or just wait it out and it will go away? We had a diatom bloom a couple weeks ago but that cleared up on it's own. I think this is brown algae though and not a diatom outbreak but I'm new at this so unsure.

As I'm writing this I just noticed a brown hair like string of algae in the back of the tank on the sand bed.

Tank info:
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates are all 0. pH is 8.3 and salinity is 1.025. I have been doing 20 gallon water changes every two weeks. All top off water is 0 TDS from my 1 month old RODI unit and salt is IO reef crystals.

[younglcy]

Remove what you can, but you'll have several algae blooms before your tank is fully mature. Increasining Mg levels and running for a couple of days with the lights off may help as well. However, it doesn't look like anything to worry about. I'd also get some more reef janitors; 100 snails and hermit crabs will do a wonderful job of helping to keep your tank clean.

[Natural Blue]

Originally Posted by younglcy

Remove what you can, but you'll have several algae blooms before your tank is fully mature. Increasining Mg levels and running for a couple of days with the lights off may help as well. However, it doesn't look like anything to worry about. I'd also get some more reef janitors; 100 snails and hermit crabs will do a wonderful job of helping to keep your tank clean.

How do I increase Mg levels?

I know I've read of a snail per gallon but that just seems like a ton. Do people really do that?

[Saltydrip]

I'm at the same stage as you. I have a 55g and I stepped it up to 25 snails the other day. I'll probably buy another 25 tomorrow.

You would think that all you would see is snails all over but to be honest I have about 25 now and hardly ever notice them. Just make sure you ask for turbo and margarita snails. Turbos are better but margarita snails looks a little better. It's nice having a blend.

[nsaskey]

Fighting conch and Lawnmower blenny are the machines that cleaned my 90 gallon tank spotless with the help of 10 hermit crabs and 5 turbos.

[Goniocologist]

Wait it out. 120 gallon tank toss in 100 margarita snails and wait. It's just part of the cycle.

[alanbates12]

What your going through is normal. Your levels look good and good husbandry is a great place to focus. Remember your building an Eco system and want it to run itself. A good CUC is a good idea. Check out this site its a great price and they do a great job, http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?pa...mart&Itemid=34

Also check out this algae ID guide http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=81

Also whats your light cycle and what type of light do you have. If your wanting to bring up your Mg levels it normally takes a lot the first time so I'd recommend Bulk Reef Supply http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...e-small-2.html

[Natural Blue]

Originally Posted by alanbates12

What your going through is normal. Your levels look good and good husbandry is a great place to focus. Remember your building an Eco system and want it to run itself. A good CUC is a good idea. Check out this site its a great price and they do a great job, http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?pa...mart&Itemid=34

Also check out this algae ID guide http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=81

Also whats your light cycle and what type of light do you have. If your wanting to bring up your Mg levels it normally takes a lot the first time so I'd recommend Bulk Reef Supply http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...e-small-2.html

Light cycle is 2 T12 VHO Super Actinics come on from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Then 2 250w 10K Metal Halides come on from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm. They are all brand new and the MH bulbs are Plusrite bulbs.

[alanbates12]

Is your tank FOWLR? If so then you may want to cut your lights back to about half then build them up over time. IMO I think your light cycle is a bit long. How much water a day are you loosing due to evaporation? Do you have an ATO system? I'm asking because an ATO will help keep your salinity constant. This will help promote a stable environment. Sound like you have a nice setup. These things are all associated with a new tank.

[philosophile]

this is normal for a new tank set up. You're between the diatom and algae stage. Diatoms usually come first, then green algae. Add in a CUC, but slowly. I wouldn't add 100 margarita snails... I wouldn't add any actually... Cerith snails would be my preference... Maybe a dozen or so. Don't feed them, they'll eat the algae and diatoms.

[zigzag1]

You could also reduce phosphate nutrients by running some GFO. This often helps control/deter algae growth. JMTC & GL!

[alanbates12]

Originally Posted by zigzag1

You could also reduce phosphate nutrients by running some GFO. This often helps control/deter algae growth. JMTC & GL!

IMO, GFO or Bio Pellets are a great way to control nitrates and phosphates but I think this is more of an Advanced process. I think you need to get an understanding of how your tank works and how to do the basics before you start on advanced techniques. I think this will help you enjoy the hobby more by giving you an understanding of how to clean, feed, and supplement your system, ie proper husbandry. GFO and Bio Pellets are expensive to start up. I think that money should be invested in a good CUC,, sump with a fuge and equipment for cleaning your tank. And that is a good question do you have a sump set up and does it have a fuge with some macro?
That in mind I'm considering a Bio pellet reactor my self, http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dyn...s-p/bpr135.htm but I'm working on my system for a couple of years. I've got a great idea of how and what to look for if something is wrong.
With this type of media you can strip your system of proper nutrients and if your not sure what to look for you can crash your tank. If you choose to go that route just do your research but I still think you should learn the basics then build off that for future enjoyment. Guess this falls in line with my signature, We don't rise to the level of our expectations-we fall to our level of training.

[Natural Blue]

Originally Posted by alanbates12

Is your tank FOWLR? If so then you may want to cut your lights back to about half then build them up over time. IMO I think your light cycle is a bit long. How much water a day are you loosing due to evaporation? Do you have an ATO system? I'm asking because an ATO will help keep your salinity constant. This will help promote a stable environment. Sound like you have a nice setup. These things are all associated with a new tank.

We have a hammer coral with about 4 heads on it right now. It's about 4'' in diameter and we'll be adding some zoas this week. We don't have a ATO yet but I plan on adding a Tunze ATO within the month. I top off in the morning and in the evening and we probably loose about 2 gallons a day.

Originally Posted by philosophile

this is normal for a new tank set up. You're between the diatom and algae stage. Diatoms usually come first, then green algae. Add in a CUC, but slowly. I wouldn't add 100 margarita snails... I wouldn't add any actually... Cerith snails would be my preference... Maybe a dozen or so. Don't feed them, they'll eat the algae and diatoms.

We did go through a diatom stage that cleared up on it's own. We'll probably add some a couple more snails and maybe a Lawnmower Blenny later in the week.

Originally Posted by zigzag1

You could also reduce phosphate nutrients by running some GFO. This often helps control/deter algae growth. JMTC & GL!

I need to get a phosphate test to see what it is, but a GFO is in the works.

Originally Posted by alanbates12

IMO, GFO or Bio Pellets are a great way to control nitrates and phosphates but I think this is more of an Advanced process. I think you need to get an understanding of how your tank works and how to do the basics before you start on advanced techniques. I think this will help you enjoy the hobby more by giving you an understanding of how to clean, feed, and supplement your system, ie proper husbandry. GFO and Bio Pellets are expensive to start up. I think that money should be invested in a good CUC,, sump with a fuge and equipment for cleaning your tank. And that is a good question do you have a sump set up and does it have a fuge with some macro?
That in mind I'm considering a Bio pellet reactor my self, http://www.reefdynamics.com/Reef-Dyn...s-p/bpr135.htm but I'm working on my system for a couple of years. I've got a great idea of how and what to look for if something is wrong.
With this type of media you can strip your system of proper nutrients and if your not sure what to look for you can crash your tank. If you choose to go that route just do your research but I still think you should learn the basics then build off that for future enjoyment. Guess this falls in line with my signature, We don't rise to the level of our expectations-we fall to our level of training.

We do have a 40 gallon breeder as a sump. Drains go into a 7" filter sock and then through the Coralife 125 skimmer. From there the water flows over into the fuge with some live rock and some cheato. From the fuge it flows down through some carbon and purigen (in media bags) and up over the baffle to the return. The fuge looks pretty bad.

I'm also planning on getting a two little fishies reactor for some GFO or whatever is needed, but I'm a little limited on space under the stand and I need to read up on everything.

Here is a pic of the sump.

[Natural Blue]

Also, another off topic question without starting a new thread. We bought a yellow tang 2 days ago and it's in a 20 gal. QT tank with a sponge filter, koralia 425 powerhead, heater and PVC. It looks like it has a couple small white spots so I was going to treat with copper.

My question is when people say treat with copper are they just referring to cupramine or something else?

[alanbates12]

Your right they are the same.
Check out this video before you go with GFO. I think the bio pellets are a better choice and with this reactor. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean. I think you'll save money in the long run. Also this reactor actually can sit outside your sump and runs off it's own pump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLhmI8vtnfw