Algae problem

Jrbtrace · 08/14/2007, 07:52 PM

I am a begginer in salt water aquariums. My 37 gal. aquarium has been up and running for about a month. I recently added a compact florecent light pushing a little over 5 watts per gallon. After that a green algea bloom occured. We have 4 blue hermits and a sally light foot as well as a turbo snail to help this but every day the problem progresses. We recently did a water change (few days) and we are not sure if we need more members on our clean up crew and if we do any suggestions.?

steelerguy · 08/14/2007, 08:09 PM

How long are you running your light? What kind of light did you have on it before? You probably had a tank full of nutrients and now with some extra light the algae is taking off. If you have a refugium I would add some chaeto to help get rid of that nitrate. What kind of water did you use for your water change? I hope RO/DI, even with bottled water I could get some cyano. If you don't have RO/DI I would at least buy distilled or the 5 gallon box stuff at the pet store.

SaltyDr · 08/14/2007, 08:15 PM

To Reef Central

If you did not have any lights on your tank before, then this is expected and should go away with time and proper maintenence. I would up your clean-up crew to about 10 astrea snails, 10 cerith snails and a Mexican Turbo snail. Could add a few nassarius as well. I like hermit crabs, but they can be troublesome and kill off some of your snails. Do frequent water changes and check your parameters.

Jrbtrace · 08/14/2007, 08:22 PM

Well we had the light for about a week and ran it for about 8 to 9 hours a day and recently went up to 10 with advice from some guy at the fish store, but I am learning fast he doestent know as much as he thinks he does. We have a coral life compact florecent with dual 65 watt bulbs. I was trying to stay away from too many chemicals due to my in-expeirence.

Jrbtrace · 08/14/2007, 08:23 PM

We do water changes every two weeks, and will continue to do soat least untell we get to a comfort level

Percula9 · 08/15/2007, 04:08 PM

Check your nirate and phosphate levels. Run the lights for 8-9 hrs on a timer. Add more snails, and big ones. Always use R/O water in your tank. Keep the filters and the bottom clean of detritus, don't overfeed.

08/14/2007, 07:52 PM	#1
Jrbtrace Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Algae problem I am a begginer in salt water aquariums. My 37 gal. aquarium has been up and running for about a month. I recently added a compact florecent light pushing a little over 5 watts per gallon. After that a green algea bloom occured. We have 4 blue hermits and a sally light foot as well as a turbo snail to help this but every day the problem progresses. We recently did a water change (few days) and we are not sure if we need more members on our clean up crew and if we do any suggestions.?

08/14/2007, 08:09 PM	#2
steelerguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Stony Brook, NY Posts: 263	How long are you running your light? What kind of light did you have on it before? You probably had a tank full of nutrients and now with some extra light the algae is taking off. If you have a refugium I would add some chaeto to help get rid of that nitrate. What kind of water did you use for your water change? I hope RO/DI, even with bottled water I could get some cyano. If you don't have RO/DI I would at least buy distilled or the 5 gallon box stuff at the pet store.

08/14/2007, 08:15 PM	#3
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	*To Reef Central* If you did not have any lights on your tank before, then this is expected and should go away with time and proper maintenence. I would up your clean-up crew to about 10 astrea snails, 10 cerith snails and a Mexican Turbo snail. Could add a few nassarius as well. I like hermit crabs, but they can be troublesome and kill off some of your snails. Do frequent water changes and check your parameters.

08/14/2007, 08:22 PM	#4
Jrbtrace Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	Well we had the light for about a week and ran it for about 8 to 9 hours a day and recently went up to 10 with advice from some guy at the fish store, but I am learning fast he doestent know as much as he thinks he does. We have a coral life compact florecent with dual 65 watt bulbs. I was trying to stay away from too many chemicals due to my in-expeirence.

08/14/2007, 08:23 PM	#5
Jrbtrace Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4	We do water changes every two weeks, and will continue to do soat least untell we get to a comfort level

08/15/2007, 04:08 PM	#6
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Check your nirate and phosphate levels. Run the lights for 8-9 hrs on a timer. Add more snails, and big ones. Always use R/O water in your tank. Keep the filters and the bottom clean of detritus, don't overfeed.