green algae help!

ryan scott · 03/09/2008, 12:59 AM

I still have a major problem with green algae in my tank. I keep on manually removing as much as I can but it keeps coming back. Can anyone give me any tips to get rid of it, for example, should I turn off my lights for a couple days? Not too sure how badly this will affect my coral... The tang's seem to like eating it, but there is just way too much for them to eat it all. It's really detracting from the look of the tank.

My phosphate is very low, the only other aspect of my tank is that I have trouble getting the Kh up to the required level no matter how often I add buffer.

I would really appreciate anyone's advice to solve it.

demonsp · 03/09/2008, 01:12 AM

Whats used for water movement?
Whats the water source?
Amount of stock?

jdieck · 03/09/2008, 01:18 AM

The higher consumption of alkalinity but not calcium may indicate an unusual amount of nitrification which may signal excess feeding.
In general algae issues are ones of lowering the overall level of nutrients.
a) Reduce feedings specially those for filter feeders like DT, Cyclopeez?
b) Improve skimming
c) Blow off detritus from the rock using a powerhead and a mechanical filter regularly
d) Increase water changes
e) Use phosphate removing media (GFO)
f) Use organics removing media (Carbon)
g) Replace any old bulbs
h) Increase water circulation to keep detritus in suspension
i) Increase the variaty and number of snails (Trochus, Mexican Turbos, Nerite and nassarius)
j) Use a refugium with macroalgae and DSB
k) Use only RO/DI water for your water changes
l) Stop addition of any other supplement that is not calcium magnesium and alkalinity, specially vitamins, iodine and many other magic potions out there.
m) keep taking out as much algae as you can.

Michael · 03/09/2008, 02:13 AM

great info jdieck

jdieck · 03/09/2008, 03:03 AM

Hope it helps

foxesreef · 03/09/2008, 04:01 AM

Great info from Jdieck. I know it sounds complicated or you may even feel you are doing all of that. Keep at it -- you will win! I began to think that it was a losing battle for a while, but I got there and you will too. Perserverance and patience is what this hobby is about.

ryan scott · 03/10/2008, 04:36 AM

thank you
I only feed once aday and only a small amount that is eaten within a minute.
I have 2 tunze powerheads that are on control and the water movement is quite good.
I use RO/DI water

I have been using iodine so will stop that.

I have only had my light for approx 7-8 months should I need to change the T5 bulbs already?

Thank you again for your help

jdieck · 03/10/2008, 07:14 AM

I think the bulbs do not need to be changed yet.

03/09/2008, 12:59 AM	#1
ryan scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 80	green algae help! I still have a major problem with green algae in my tank. I keep on manually removing as much as I can but it keeps coming back. Can anyone give me any tips to get rid of it, for example, should I turn off my lights for a couple days? Not too sure how badly this will affect my coral... The tang's seem to like eating it, but there is just way too much for them to eat it all. It's really detracting from the look of the tank. My phosphate is very low, the only other aspect of my tank is that I have trouble getting the Kh up to the required level no matter how often I add buffer. I would really appreciate anyone's advice to solve it. __________________ 620 litre main tank with 150 L sump Aquamedic aqua sunlight 3x 250watt with 4 T5 80watt and moon light on light computer Current Tank Info: 620 litre main tank with a 150 litre Sump

03/09/2008, 01:18 AM	#3
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	The higher consumption of alkalinity but not calcium may indicate an unusual amount of nitrification which may signal excess feeding. In general algae issues are ones of lowering the overall level of nutrients. a) Reduce feedings specially those for filter feeders like DT, Cyclopeez? b) Improve skimming c) Blow off detritus from the rock using a powerhead and a mechanical filter regularly d) Increase water changes e) Use phosphate removing media (GFO) f) Use organics removing media (Carbon) g) Replace any old bulbs h) Increase water circulation to keep detritus in suspension i) Increase the variaty and number of snails (Trochus, Mexican Turbos, Nerite and nassarius) j) Use a refugium with macroalgae and DSB k) Use only RO/DI water for your water changes l) Stop addition of any other supplement that is not calcium magnesium and alkalinity, specially vitamins, iodine and many other magic potions out there. m) keep taking out as much algae as you can. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

03/09/2008, 02:13 AM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	great info jdieck __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

03/09/2008, 03:03 AM	#5
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Hope it helps __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

03/10/2008, 04:36 AM	#7
ryan scott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 80	thank you I only feed once aday and only a small amount that is eaten within a minute. I have 2 tunze powerheads that are on control and the water movement is quite good. I use RO/DI water I have been using iodine so will stop that. I have only had my light for approx 7-8 months should I need to change the T5 bulbs already? Thank you again for your help __________________ 620 litre main tank with 150 L sump Aquamedic aqua sunlight 3x 250watt with 4 T5 80watt and moon light on light computer Current Tank Info: 620 litre main tank with a 150 litre Sump

03/09/2008, 01:12 AM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Whats used for water movement? Whats the water source? Amount of stock?

03/09/2008, 04:01 AM	#6
foxesreef Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hurricane, WV Posts: 108	Great info from Jdieck. I know it sounds complicated or you may even feel you are doing all of that. Keep at it -- you will win! I began to think that it was a losing battle for a while, but I got there and you will too. Perserverance and patience is what this hobby is about.

03/10/2008, 07:14 AM	#8
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	I think the bulbs do not need to be changed yet. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium