Algae

[EPopper]

I am fairly new to the hobby, but learning a lot along the way. One of our live rocks is covered in green, hair algae. Is this bad for the tank? If so, what can I do to prevent it from happening? Because of a relentless Valentini Puffer in the tank, snails are not an option. We can't keep snails alive because of that little fella.

[jraker]

Yes, it is bad. Tryanuly removing asuch of it as possible. Can we get some tank parameters such as nitrates as phosphates? What is your current livestock?

[lonbrat]

Depending on the size of the tank, a lawnmower blenny might fix your problem.

Algae is honestly a good thing, but we like to think of it as something bad. Because it can get out of control and cover corals, our expensive live rock, and the walls of our tanks, but... It removes nitrates and phosphates

[EPopper]

Nitrate, pH and ammonia levels are all normal. Phosphate? Showing my newness to the hobby here, but how do I check that?
We have gone through 3 different lawnmower blennies. Love those things, but they have not survived very well in the tank.

[gone fishin]

Since there is an excess of algae I think it is safe to assume your nitrate and phosphate levels are elevated. Actual numbers for levels are very useful.

Of more concern to me is why you can't keep 3 fish alive? Dead fish will certainly feed the algae as well.

How old is the tank?
How was it cycled?
What is your livestock?
What is your water source Ro/DI or tap?
Are you topping off with freshwater RO/DI or tap?
What is your salinity?
How do you acclimate new fish? I will assume your not quarantine the fish

There will most like be more questions but this should get things rolling and welcome to the forum.

[EPopper]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

Since there is an excess of algae I think it is safe to assume your nitrate and phosphate levels are elevated. Actual numbers for levels are very useful.

Of more concern to me is why you can't keep 3 fish alive? Dead fish will certainly feed the algae as well.

How old is the tank? less than a year
How was it cycled?
What is your livestock? 2 ocellaris clowns, valentine puffer, bristle tooth tang, 2 pajama cardinal and a diamond goby.
What is your water source Ro/DI or tap? tap
Are you topping off with freshwater RO/DI or tap? tap
What is your salinity? try to keep it at 1.024-25
How do you acclimate new fish? I will assume your not quarantine the fish in bag for about 30 minutes. No drip acclimation

There will most like be more questions but this should get things rolling and welcome to the forum.

This is great info and wish I had found this forum months ago. Being new to the hobby, we have gone through a lot of trial and error (more error, it seems). We lost a lot of nice fish along the way, but seem to be getting a better handle on the care.

[oh207]

Originally Posted by EPopper

Is this bad for the tank? If so, what can I do to prevent it from happening?

The growth of algae itself is not bad for the tank. Its actually beneficial in removing nutrients, provided that you manually remove it.
But its presence is an indication that nutrients are out of control and its also an eyesore and can cover valuable corals.

Start with manual removal, get your nutrients under control. Feed less and water changes. Are you running a skimmer? Whats your feeding regimen like? How old are your rocks or your tank? Did you use Liverocks or baserocks? And whats your Nitrate/Phosphate levels?

[EPopper]

Originally Posted by oh207

The growth of algae itself is not bad for the tank. Its actually beneficial in removing nutrients, provided that you manually remove it.
But its presence is an indication that nutrients are out of control and its also an eyesore and can cover valuable corals.

Start with manual removal, get your nutrients under control. Feed less and water changes. Are you running a skimmer? No, but looking at them now. Whats your feeding regimen like? Daily. How old are your rocks or your tank? less than a year (along with the tank) Did you use Liverocks or baserocks? Live And whats your Nitrate/Phosphate levels? N)2 and 3 are at 0ppm

Should I take the rock out and clean it?

[gone fishin]

The tap water can certainly be driving your nutrients, depending on your tap quality. The other problem with tap water is the accumulation of metals and other minerals over time. I would suggest getting a RO/DI unit there are many great sponsors here that offer quality units in a wide array of prices. If that is not an option then maybe get some from the LFS or distilled water. IMO if you switch off of tap water this help greatly. However it will not be an overnight fix. These things usually take a time to correct.

Things you can do now are manually remove as much algae as possible during WC's. Another option is to use GFO (Granular ferric oxide) to help remove phosphates.

I forgot to ask the size of your tank.

I Used to have a lawnmower blenny. Once my kole tang matured it promptly killed the blenny. They compete for the same food source. This may be what is happening to you.

Also can you post a pic of the tank?

[lonbrat]

I understand if the blennies died, quite a few didn't have my luck of getting a voracious eatter

In that case, I'd just take the rock out and scrub it with a tooth brush for a bit to get most of it off.

And just a little tip if you ever do get another lawnmower blenny, try algae eatter disks, there's a few different brands, I found mine only liked the Wal-Mart brand until he decided he eats everything

[EPopper]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

The tap water can certainly be driving your nutrients, depending on your tap quality. The other problem with tap water is the accumulation of metals and other minerals over time. I would suggest getting a RO/DI unit there are many great sponsors here that offer quality units in a wide array of prices. If that is not an option then maybe get some from the LFS or distilled water. IMO if you switch off of tap water this help greatly. However it will not be an overnight fix. These things usually take a time to correct.

Things you can do now are manually remove as much algae as possible during WC's. Another option is to use GFO (Granular ferric oxide) to help remove phosphates.

I forgot to ask the size of your tank.

I Used to have a lawnmower blenny. Once my kole tang matured it promptly killed the blenny. They compete for the same food source. This may be what is happening to you.

Also can you post a pic of the tank?

Great point about the tap, which I really didn't think of. I will definitely look into the RO/DI units. Of course my budget is skyrocketing with the things I feel I need now. Protein skimmer, better lighting and now a RO/DI.
For whatever reason, I am not getting images to upload here. It is a 75 gallon tank.

[gone fishin]

I usually use a photobucket account then use the yellow mountain icon to upload.

Personally of what equipment you listed I would prioritize RO/DI, skimmer then lights. Lights will obviously limit coral selection, to be honest other than some softies and leathers that like "dirtier" water the other two will do more for the overall health and water quality of your tank.

[EPopper]

[IMG][/IMG]

Originally Posted by gone fishin

I usually use a photobucket account then use the yellow mountain icon to upload.

Personally of what equipment you listed I would prioritize RO/DI, skimmer then lights. Lights will obviously limit coral selection, to be honest other than some softies and leathers that like "dirtier" water the other two will do more for the overall health and water quality of your tank.

[gone fishin]

Forgot to mention since your new pics may get held up in the spam filter. I believe the Mods can release them however.

[EPopper]

Originally Posted by lonbrat

I understand if the blennies died, quite a few didn't have my luck of getting a voracious eatter

In that case, I'd just take the rock out and scrub it with a tooth brush for a bit to get most of it off.

And just a little tip if you ever do get another lawnmower blenny, try algae eatter disks, there's a few different brands, I found mine only liked the Wal-Mart brand until he decided he eats everything

I am a little nervous about taking that rock out right now, as the diamond goby is new and that is the rock he has chosen to burrow under.

[gone fishin]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

I was remiss in not pointing out the sticky at the top of the forum. It is basically a book on multiple topics. Some of them may not apply right now but will eventually.