My first real Algae problem

MrSean · 03/30/2010, 11:01 AM

I got into the truly magical hobby of reef keeping last year, and after reading several books and doing my homework over the summer I established a 14g biocube. I have to say that it was worth every penny.
My wife and I love our little aquarium so much.

My aquarium glowed!

Over Christmas we
flew up to Canada to spend time with my wife's family and my parents took care of our little fishies. They fed the fish, and did a water change exactly according to my instructions. However, when I got home the rocks were a slightly different color, they were reddish instead of a striking purple.

Since then algae has been an annoyance. I have tried the things my pals at the local fish store suggested. Mainly siphon out what I can and reduce the time the lights are on. But it hasn't been enough, and there are more types of algae than just the red snot stuff growing now.

Here are some pictures of my algae.

As you can see, the algae has taken away some of the magic and made it dull.

My theories at this point are
1) My RO system needs a new filter

What I have tried so far
1) I had my water tested at my lFS and they said everthing looked good
2) I have reduced the ammount of time the lights are on. And sometimes I just leave the blue light on instead of both.
3) I have manually removed the snot algae a bunch of times, but it regrows really quickly.

Thanks for taking the time to look at this. I would really appreciate any advice!

-Sean Sutter

rafa316 · 03/30/2010, 11:34 AM

Id start checking the phosphate levels in your tank, and make sure they are not way high. You have cyano bacteria(SP) Take out some of the rocks and gently scrub them to remove the nastiness. Lastly maybe go a day or too without lights. Hope this helps.

jauld · 03/30/2010, 11:49 AM

I found this list of common reasons why algae grows in aquariums.

* You overstocked your saltwater aquarium with too many fish

* You have low circulation that does not properly oxygenate the water or hold debris in suspension long enough to be removed by the filters

* You overfeed your saltwater fish, uneaten food adds nitrate and phosphates to the water which fuel algae growth
* You used undersized filters and protein skimmers when you set your tank up
* Your light bulbs need to be replaced, old light bulbs shift to in light spectrum to a range that algae loves
* You do not keep up with normal required tank care like water changes
* You are not cleaning and changing filter material at normal intervals
* You maybe over using additives in the tank, never add anything you cannot test for or are unsure if you need it
* You are using tap water for your tank. Tap water is naturally full of nitrates and worse ye phosphates use reverse osmosis or deionized water instead
* You use a low quality salt mix that may have heavy metal or other impurities in i that can lead to algae blooms

some of them probably don't apply to you, but doesnt hurt to check on these things.

Saltyllama · 03/30/2010, 11:56 AM

I'd also look into the foods you use and how much you feed them.

What do you feed and how often???

badwrasse · 03/30/2010, 06:13 PM

+1 flakes are evil,

RRaider · 03/31/2010, 09:42 AM

Let me get this right, you have four fish in a 14 gallon tank with no fuge or sump? Do you even have a skimmer? Personally I think you are over stocked. Even if you weren't, large frequent and consistent water changes will be needed to export nutrients.

03/30/2010, 11:01 AM	#1
MrSean Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 21	My first real Algae problem I got into the truly magical hobby of reef keeping last year, and after reading several books and doing my homework over the summer I established a 14g biocube. I have to say that it was worth every penny. My wife and I love our little aquarium so much. My aquarium glowed! Over Christmas we flew up to Canada to spend time with my wife's family and my parents took care of our little fishies. They fed the fish, and did a water change exactly according to my instructions. However, when I got home the rocks were a slightly different color, they were reddish instead of a striking purple. Since then algae has been an annoyance. I have tried the things my pals at the local fish store suggested. Mainly siphon out what I can and reduce the time the lights are on. But it hasn't been enough, and there are more types of algae than just the red snot stuff growing now. Here are some pictures of my algae. As you can see, the algae has taken away some of the magic and made it dull. My theories at this point are 1) My RO system needs a new filter What I have tried so far 1) I had my water tested at my lFS and they said everthing looked good 2) I have reduced the ammount of time the lights are on. And sometimes I just leave the blue light on instead of both. 3) I have manually removed the snot algae a bunch of times, but it regrows really quickly. Thanks for taking the time to look at this. I would really appreciate any advice! -Sean Sutter Last edited by MrSean; 03/30/2010 at 11:02 AM. Reason: sp

03/30/2010, 11:34 AM	#2
rafa316 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 411	Id start checking the phosphate levels in your tank, and make sure they are not way high. You have cyano bacteria(SP) Take out some of the rocks and gently scrub them to remove the nastiness. Lastly maybe go a day or too without lights. Hope this helps. __________________ "if I asked the general public what they wanted they would have said they wanted a faster horse" Henry Ford Current Tank Info: 75g. - Rena xP4 Canister Filter - 65w T5 -2 inch sandbed - 60lbs live rock - 2 Ocellaris Clownfish - 1 Yellow Watchman Gobie - 6 Nassaiurs Snails - 1 Bumblebee Snail - 2 Emerald Crabs - 1 Red Legged Hermit Crab

03/30/2010, 06:13 PM	#5
badwrasse Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. louis Posts: 1,203	+1 flakes are evil, __________________ GOT CRABS? Current Tank Info: 90gal RR,rock wall in progress, MRC sump, reef octopus XP2000I skimmer, marineland pro lighting 2-150w MH 4-54w T5's, hydor wavemaker with 2 #4 controllable pumps, and QuietOne 4000HH return pump.

03/30/2010, 11:49 AM	#3
jauld Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 194	I found this list of common reasons why algae grows in aquariums. * You overstocked your saltwater aquarium with too many fish * You have low circulation that does not properly oxygenate the water or hold debris in suspension long enough to be removed by the filters * You overfeed your saltwater fish, uneaten food adds nitrate and phosphates to the water which fuel algae growth * You used undersized filters and protein skimmers when you set your tank up * Your light bulbs need to be replaced, old light bulbs shift to in light spectrum to a range that algae loves * You do not keep up with normal required tank care like water changes * You are not cleaning and changing filter material at normal intervals * You maybe over using additives in the tank, never add anything you cannot test for or are unsure if you need it * You are using tap water for your tank. Tap water is naturally full of nitrates and worse ye phosphates use reverse osmosis or deionized water instead * You use a low quality salt mix that may have heavy metal or other impurities in i that can lead to algae blooms some of them probably don't apply to you, but doesnt hurt to check on these things.

03/30/2010, 11:56 AM	#4
Saltyllama Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 283	I'd also look into the foods you use and how much you feed them. What do you feed and how often???

03/31/2010, 09:42 AM	#6
RRaider Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 703	Let me get this right, you have four fish in a 14 gallon tank with no fuge or sump? Do you even have a skimmer? Personally I think you are over stocked. Even if you weren't, large frequent and consistent water changes will be needed to export nutrients.