reducing or eliminating algae

allamericancat · 11/18/2012, 01:31 PM

Is it true that you can eliminate algae by shutting down the lights and covering the tank? What about the corrals? Aren't they affected by the lack of light. I currently have a 110 gallon tank that is well balanced but just can't seem to make the algae completely go bye,bye. I was told the algae feeds off phosphates so I installed a reactor and it has reduced the phosphates to nearly 0. Any advice out there?

Chaotic Reefer4u · 11/18/2012, 02:10 PM

Certainly, get a really good clean up crew and tangs should devour the algae, hope this helps!

kfisc · 11/18/2012, 02:28 PM

Turning off the lights for a couple of days will harm nothing in your tank. It gets very dark along reefs in foul weather. Your phosphates may read zero on most tests, but it's still there in amounts smaller than can be read by test kits, thus you have algae. I'd check all the usual suspects for nutrient inputs- food (not just too much, but also which kind), old filter blocks on your RODI unit, carbon, etc. and determine if a change in the system parts will effect the whole.

It also takes awhile for phosphates to reduce, even with the input strongly cut back.

allamericancat · 11/19/2012, 12:05 AM

How long should You wait to change carbon in a reactor? What kind of flow Rate should the phosphate and carbon reactors have? Sorry for so many questions, I am just trying to get this strait and there are allot of opinions out there. So far I am finding You folks on Reef Central to have some really good answers. Thanks,
Dave

Rookieofsalt · 11/19/2012, 06:39 AM

Phosphate will never be 0 if you have algae. Because algae consuming of phosphate. GFO reactor is also an alternative and I think by far is the most effective method. You could also try to reduce to photo period and feeding.

Dexters Reef · 11/19/2012, 10:08 AM

I have a few dime size patches of hair algae on my back glass, some algae behind my overflow, and two frags with some red brush algae on them. Nothing close to an outbreak, but a few patches here and there.

During Hurricane Sandy, I lost power for 6 days. I had my tank covered in blankets, and was only able to run my return pump and skimmer, but nothing else during that time. I was hoping that with absolutely no lighting (tank was completely covered by Queen size blankets), and no heat (tank dropped to 59 degrees) for 6 days, at least my algae would die off...WRONG...I saw absolutely no affect on the algae after the 6 day blackout.

I also only fed the tank two times in the 6 days, instead of my normal twice a day feeding routine. For whatever reason, the lack of light, heat, and food did not affect my algae at all.

allamericancat · 11/22/2012, 09:09 PM

Thank You to Everyone for Your Help. Update.. The algae is almost completely gone. I put 2 Grassier Snails in the tank and a Phosphate reactor in the sump. So far so good. The algae is down to about 10% of what it was.

11/18/2012, 01:31 PM	#1
allamericancat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Barnstead N.H. Posts: 18	reducing or eliminating algae Is it true that you can eliminate algae by shutting down the lights and covering the tank? What about the corrals? Aren't they affected by the lack of light. I currently have a 110 gallon tank that is well balanced but just can't seem to make the algae completely go bye,bye. I was told the algae feeds off phosphates so I installed a reactor and it has reduced the phosphates to nearly 0. Any advice out there?

11/18/2012, 02:10 PM	#2
Chaotic Reefer4u ♥Acropora Aficionado♥ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hollister,Ca. Posts: 5,163	Certainly, get a really good clean up crew and tangs should devour the algae, hope this helps! __________________ Live everyday as if it was your last, take time to smell the flowers, enjoy all things living, never take anything for granted, you just never know when your number might be up... Current Tank Info: * 90g. Reef Ready TruVu tank with 30g. Platinum Filtration Series Sump SpS Acro enthusiast *

11/19/2012, 10:08 AM	#6
Dexters Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 730	I have a few dime size patches of hair algae on my back glass, some algae behind my overflow, and two frags with some red brush algae on them. Nothing close to an outbreak, but a few patches here and there. During Hurricane Sandy, I lost power for 6 days. I had my tank covered in blankets, and was only able to run my return pump and skimmer, but nothing else during that time. I was hoping that with absolutely no lighting (tank was completely covered by Queen size blankets), and no heat (tank dropped to 59 degrees) for 6 days, at least my algae would die off...WRONG...I saw absolutely no affect on the algae after the 6 day blackout. I also only fed the tank two times in the 6 days, instead of my normal twice a day feeding routine. For whatever reason, the lack of light, heat, and food did not affect my algae at all. __________________ 75G RR, Trigger Systems Ruby 30S sump, 2x250 MH and 4x54W T5HO, Octopus Diablo XS160, 4" DSB, 2 x MP40wES, 85 lbs LR, 2 x BRS Dosing Pumps, Finnex 300w titanium heater, Surf2 Algae Turf Scrubber

11/18/2012, 02:28 PM	#3
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	Turning off the lights for a couple of days will harm nothing in your tank. It gets very dark along reefs in foul weather. Your phosphates may read zero on most tests, but it's still there in amounts smaller than can be read by test kits, thus you have algae. I'd check all the usual suspects for nutrient inputs- food (not just too much, but also which kind), old filter blocks on your RODI unit, carbon, etc. and determine if a change in the system parts will effect the whole. It also takes awhile for phosphates to reduce, even with the input strongly cut back.

11/19/2012, 12:05 AM	#4
allamericancat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Barnstead N.H. Posts: 18	How long should You wait to change carbon in a reactor? What kind of flow Rate should the phosphate and carbon reactors have? Sorry for so many questions, I am just trying to get this strait and there are allot of opinions out there. So far I am finding You folks on Reef Central to have some really good answers. Thanks, Dave

11/19/2012, 06:39 AM	#5
Rookieofsalt Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 166	Phosphate will never be 0 if you have algae. Because algae consuming of phosphate. GFO reactor is also an alternative and I think by far is the most effective method. You could also try to reduce to photo period and feeding.

11/22/2012, 09:09 PM	#7
allamericancat Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Barnstead N.H. Posts: 18	Thank You to Everyone for Your Help. Update.. The algae is almost completely gone. I put 2 Grassier Snails in the tank and a Phosphate reactor in the sump. So far so good. The algae is down to about 10% of what it was.