Algae Suggestions

CodeBlueMedic · 09/18/2014, 12:29 PM

Hey Folks,

I've attached a few pictures of a rapidly growing green algae...It is spreading and is growing to be quite long. At first my snails were taking care of it, but I think it's gotten too big for them. It has also attached to my glass and seems to be small singular pieces, rather than a unified sheet of algae.

Any ID or tips on removing?

whosurcaddie · 09/18/2014, 03:41 PM

Its just your run of the mill GHA. Some physical removal( i find a toothbrush works well) and nutrient export. water changes GFO etc. I would also look at something called kent phosphate sponge. You only leave it in the tank for 8 hours and I don't recommend it for long term use but with a new tank like yours it wont be a problem with dropping the phosphates so fast. One 2 quart container should do the trick. I would recommend getting a phosphate test kit as well, Salifert is the best for this. In the future I would suggest a GFO reactor to maintain phos levels.

http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Marine-Ph...osphate+sponge

CodeBlueMedic · 09/19/2014, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Its just your run of the mill GHA. Some physical removal( i find a toothbrush works well) and nutrient export. water changes GFO etc. I would also look at something called kent phosphate sponge. You only leave it in the tank for 8 hours and I don't recommend it for long term use but with a new tank like yours it wont be a problem with dropping the phosphates so fast. One 2 quart container should do the trick. I would recommend getting a phosphate test kit as well, Salifert is the best for this. In the future I would suggest a GFO reactor to maintain phos levels.

http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Marine-Ph...osphate+sponge

Thanks for the information! Never even thought about a GFO reactor, didn't think it would be a problem using RODI water and doing frequent water changes. I'll have to pick up a phosphate test to see what's what. I don't have a sump or any fancy plumbing, is there a recommended one for HOB? Also, as a future investment, would a protein skimmer or GFO be the next best purchase?

Xavibear · 09/19/2014, 03:26 PM

Clean the filter media in your filter more often. They can be nitrate traps.

CodeBlueMedic · 09/19/2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavibear

Clean the filter media in your filter more often. They can be nitrate traps.

It's only about 2 1/2 weeks old, but I should go ahead and do it.

CodeBlueMedic · 09/19/2014, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

Its just your run of the mill GHA. Some physical removal( i find a toothbrush works well) and nutrient export. water changes GFO etc. I would also look at something called kent phosphate sponge. You only leave it in the tank for 8 hours and I don't recommend it for long term use but with a new tank like yours it wont be a problem with dropping the phosphates so fast. One 2 quart container should do the trick. I would recommend getting a phosphate test kit as well, Salifert is the best for this. In the future I would suggest a GFO reactor to maintain phos levels.

http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Marine-Ph...osphate+sponge

Do I need to just put this in behind my floss/carbon filter on my HOB or put it in some kind of a sleeve/netting and stick it back there?

Xavibear · 09/19/2014, 08:59 PM

How long has your tank been set up?

whosurcaddie · 09/19/2014, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeBlueMedic

Do I need to just put this in behind my floss/carbon filter on my HOB or put it in some kind of a sleeve/netting and stick it back there?

Yes it will work fine that way in a filter bag in your HOB. Just put it in before you go to bed and take it out in the morning. Always use new media each time. Continue this until you notice a change in the GHA this stuff works fast. Also I would definitely get a skimmer reef octopus as well as aquamaxx make some good hang on back skimmers.

CodeBlueMedic · 09/20/2014, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xavibear

How long has your tank been set up?

Coming up on the 1 month mark. I'm fixing to head to the store, so I'll pick up some filter bags to put in there. I should get a skimmer, so I'll start saving up for one.

Silvergryphon · 09/20/2014, 09:30 PM

You want to be cleaning that hob every week, maybe even twice a week depending on how much detritus it collects.

Shawn O · 09/21/2014, 10:30 AM

How large is your CUC?

CodeBlueMedic · 09/21/2014, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvergryphon

You want to be cleaning that hob every week, maybe even twice a week depending on how much detritus it collects.

What's the best way to clean it out weekly? I'm planning on replacing the filter cartridge every 3-4 weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn O

How large is your CUC?

6 Trochus Snails
6 Cerith
5 Nerite
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab

Shrimp doesn't do jack yet, but those trocus snails and crab do wonders! I went ahead and stirred things up a bit with a toothbrush, while simultaneously siphoning it out. It looks about 85% better now and I am running some phosguard in the filter currently.

overskim · 09/21/2014, 03:08 PM

Shrimp wont do that. The algae has gotten big enough to become a detritus trap, so you may not notice the full effects of phosphate reducers unless you keep it clean also. I would turn off the light for now and make a couple of emerald crabs happy. If they knock it back, it will probably stay in check when you turn the light back on. Pay real close attention to your sand too, because that looks like a time bomb to me with no skimmer.

When you get a nice skimmer vinegar will go a long way, and with a little nitrate dosing if necessary you can eliminate the use of GFO.

Xavibear · 09/21/2014, 03:19 PM

You need to change the filter cartridges weekly, sometimes more often.

Shrimp are detritus eaters, for the most part they ignore algae.

09/19/2014, 03:26 PM	#4
Xavibear Crazy Prophet Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,008	Clean the filter media in your filter more often. They can be nitrate traps. __________________ 36g bowfront Current Tank Info: Pair of Occellaris clowns, Royal gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Blue tuxedo urchin, Fire shrimp, Trochus snails, Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Ricordea mushroom, Kenya tree, Acan brain & Frogspawn

09/19/2014, 08:59 PM	#7
Xavibear Crazy Prophet Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,008	How long has your tank been set up? __________________ 36g bowfront Current Tank Info: Pair of Occellaris clowns, Royal gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Blue tuxedo urchin, Fire shrimp, Trochus snails, Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Ricordea mushroom, Kenya tree, Acan brain & Frogspawn

09/21/2014, 03:19 PM	#14
Xavibear Crazy Prophet Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 1,008	You need to change the filter cartridges weekly, sometimes more often. Shrimp are detritus eaters, for the most part they ignore algae. __________________ 36g bowfront Current Tank Info: Pair of Occellaris clowns, Royal gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby/Tiger Pistol Shrimp, Blue tuxedo urchin, Fire shrimp, Trochus snails, Cerith snails, Nassarius snails, Ricordea mushroom, Kenya tree, Acan brain & Frogspawn

09/18/2014, 03:41 PM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Its just your run of the mill GHA. Some physical removal( i find a toothbrush works well) and nutrient export. water changes GFO etc. I would also look at something called kent phosphate sponge. You only leave it in the tank for 8 hours and I don't recommend it for long term use but with a new tank like yours it wont be a problem with dropping the phosphates so fast. One 2 quart container should do the trick. I would recommend getting a phosphate test kit as well, Salifert is the best for this. In the future I would suggest a GFO reactor to maintain phos levels. http://www.amazon.com/Kent-Marine-Ph...osphate+sponge

09/20/2014, 09:30 PM	#10
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	You want to be cleaning that hob every week, maybe even twice a week depending on how much detritus it collects.

09/21/2014, 10:30 AM	#11
Shawn O Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts Posts: 1,474	How large is your CUC?

09/21/2014, 03:08 PM	#13
overskim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 65	Shrimp wont do that. The algae has gotten big enough to become a detritus trap, so you may not notice the full effects of phosphate reducers unless you keep it clean also. I would turn off the light for now and make a couple of emerald crabs happy. If they knock it back, it will probably stay in check when you turn the light back on. Pay real close attention to your sand too, because that looks like a time bomb to me with no skimmer. When you get a nice skimmer vinegar will go a long way, and with a little nitrate dosing if necessary you can eliminate the use of GFO.