When to worry about Nuisance Algae?

Spyderturbo007 · 05/15/2013, 06:09 AM

At what point should I start to worry about Nuisance algae? I have always had a very small bioload with just a cleaner shrimp, Snowflake Clown and a Purple Firefish. I've never seen either Nitrates or Phosphates in my tank and really only have to clean the glass once every 7 - 10 days.

A few weeks ago, I added a 2 Spot Bristletooth tang and over the weekend I pulled my 2 Banggai Cardinals out of QT and put them in the DT. I'm starting to see a small amount of Nuisance Algae. I have a small marble sized collection of hair algae right where my overflow is located. I have also begun seeing a few small balls of bubble algae around the tank.

At what point should I have a heart attack? I tested last night and Phosphate was 0ppm and Nitrate was 0ppm. Should I start running GFO or dose an organic carbon source like Vodka or Vinegar?

HumbleFish · 05/15/2013, 07:45 AM

IME, it's best to jump on it early before it starts to get out of hand. I think dosing vodka/vinegar would be overreaction at this point; but running GFO in a media reactor is a good idea. For the bubble algae, I would add a couple of emerald crabs.

Palting · 05/15/2013, 10:25 AM

I don't let algae get to me. A certain amount of algae means you have a healthy tank with good biodiversity. You'll end up like a dog trying to catch it's tail if you let it get to you. Dead white rock is exactly that: DEAD. Sounds like you've had that tank running for a while, and just added to the bioload by adding several new fish. Give it time, continue with water changes and good husbandry, and your tank biofiltration should catch up the the increased bioload.

Spyderturbo007 · 05/15/2013, 11:54 AM

I've been going very slowly with the tank.

Started - June 24th, 2012
CUC - July 15th, 2012
FireFish - August 23rd, 2012
Clownfish - November 21st, 2012
Bristletooth - February 9th, 2013
Banggai x 2 - May, 14th, 2013

As for coral, I've just been throwing them in whenever I find something I like, but I know they don't contribute to the bioload.

I'm considering a Mandarin Dragonette, but I need to do a lot more research before I do that and try and set up a refugium in my sump first. Other than that, I think that's probably enough fish for my tank.

05/15/2013, 06:09 AM	#1
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	When to worry about Nuisance Algae? At what point should I start to worry about Nuisance algae? I have always had a very small bioload with just a cleaner shrimp, Snowflake Clown and a Purple Firefish. I've never seen either Nitrates or Phosphates in my tank and really only have to clean the glass once every 7 - 10 days. A few weeks ago, I added a 2 Spot Bristletooth tang and over the weekend I pulled my 2 Banggai Cardinals out of QT and put them in the DT. I'm starting to see a small amount of Nuisance Algae. I have a small marble sized collection of hair algae right where my overflow is located. I have also begun seeing a few small balls of bubble algae around the tank. At what point should I have a heart attack? I tested last night and Phosphate was 0ppm and Nitrate was 0ppm. Should I start running GFO or dose an organic carbon source like Vodka or Vinegar?

05/15/2013, 10:25 AM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I don't let algae get to me. A certain amount of algae means you have a healthy tank with good biodiversity. You'll end up like a dog trying to catch it's tail if you let it get to you. Dead white rock is exactly that: DEAD. Sounds like you've had that tank running for a while, and just added to the bioload by adding several new fish. Give it time, continue with water changes and good husbandry, and your tank biofiltration should catch up the the increased bioload. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

05/15/2013, 07:45 AM	#2
HumbleFish Moved On Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 4,757	IME, it's best to jump on it early before it starts to get out of hand. I think dosing vodka/vinegar would be overreaction at this point; but running GFO in a media reactor is a good idea. For the bubble algae, I would add a couple of emerald crabs.

05/15/2013, 11:54 AM	#4
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I've been going very slowly with the tank. Started - June 24th, 2012 CUC - July 15th, 2012 FireFish - August 23rd, 2012 Clownfish - November 21st, 2012 Bristletooth - February 9th, 2013 Banggai x 2 - May, 14th, 2013 As for coral, I've just been throwing them in whenever I find something I like, but I know they don't contribute to the bioload. I'm considering a Mandarin Dragonette, but I need to do a lot more research before I do that and try and set up a refugium in my sump first. Other than that, I think that's probably enough fish for my tank.