6 Mth Old 55 gal tank with Algae - Please help!!!

[Ericcab]

Hello All,

I am new to the hobby and fairly new to reef central. I need some help from my fellow reefers.

I have a 55 gallon tank with a 10 gallon sump/refug. For the past 1 mth I have been having an algae problem. I have purchased a sea cucumber a sea hare, etc, but they cannot keep up.

I have reduced the amount of time my lights are on, etc, but I do not want to reduce any further to avoid impact to the corals.

I prefer natural solutions instead of chemicals etc.

Any idea on the type of algae this is and what I can do to prevent it? It grows everywhere...rocks, sand, powerheads, etc.

Please Help!!! Thanks to all in advance.

[thegrun]

Hard to say if it is diatoms (a problem if you used silica based sand) of brown slime algae. What are your nitrate and phosphate levels?

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

Ericab

To Reef Central
Id say just have patience and it will all go away. Stay on top of your maintenance routine and water changes and try not to feed too much, hope this helps!

[Ericcab]

Originally Posted by thegrun

Hard to say if it is diatoms (a problem if you used silica based sand) of brown slime algae. What are your nitrate and phosphate levels?

Phospahate has been .25 and nitrate has been at 0.

[TheKman]

Originally Posted by Ericcab

Phospahate has been .25 and nitrate has been at 0.

take into account that your Nitrates and Phosphate levels will be reading low - thats because the algae is consuming them which will throw off your readings. I'm going through the same issue, water changes and such is what i'm doing.