Algae Question

jdm01 · 04/10/2006, 08:11 PM

I have lived through the new tank algae storm on my new 90g. At this point it is the normal scrape and filter routine. I have noticed that a large amount of algae has grown in the "teeth" where the water passes to the overflow in my drilled tank. Also algae is growing in the overflow itself. Is there any benefit of this kind of algae to the reef? Should I clean this algae out of the overflow?

bertoni · 04/10/2006, 08:13 PM

I would clean it out of the overflow so that the overflow doesn't get blocked, depending on the type of algae in question. There's no significant advantage to having algae growing there

jdm01 · 04/10/2006, 08:20 PM

Thank you. That is what I thought, but I have learned to check my thoughts here first. By the way, it has only been 30-45 days and the coraline is starting to grow on the rocks. I will post pictures soon once I figure out how to cut down the file size.

Fast Fred · 04/10/2006, 08:24 PM

Instead of cutting down the file size, try using PhotoBucket.com to host your pics.

EdKruzel · 04/10/2006, 08:26 PM

I've always used a bottle brush to keep the ''teeth'' of the overflow open and operating at maximum efficiency, however I do not recommend cleaning out the inner walls of the box; at least not completely.
The algae growing on the inside will absorb nutrients and act as a mini alga turf scrubber.
I had a nice Navarchus angel that devoured aptasia anemones so I never worried about them in the main portion of the tank, however they began to grow in the overflows and that was an initial concern.
I was chatting with Anthony Calfo and I happened to mention it; he suggested I leave them and encourage new growth.

Once the algae had a good layer of growth and plenty of aptasia began to fill the overflow my tank became crystal clear and despite the amount of food I was feeding my skimmer barely pulled any scum from the water; my parameters were always excellent.

Ed

Fast Fred · 04/10/2006, 09:11 PM

I like your logic on that one ed. I never knew Aptasia were good scrubbers. Is that true??? I'm starting to feel as if I shouldn't have killed the ones growing in my overflow.

EdKruzel · 04/10/2006, 09:52 PM

In Anthony's book on propagation he goes into detail about using aptasia as filters.
Aptasia are very aggressive feeders and utilize a great deal of the particles they catch therefore releasing very little waste.

My overflows were large and I would use a fine mesh net to scrape up the sides to remove sheets of hair algae.
I did this about every three months or so as a nutrient export.

Ed

jdm01 · 04/15/2006, 08:34 PM

Great advice, thanks. I will use a brush of some kind to clean the teeth on the overflow. I was afraid to take the panel off and clean it. The algae seems to be growing from in between the panels on the overflow. If I remove the display tank side to clean it, I fear that I will create a new algae problem in the tank.

The clean up crew have been working well. The algae storm has subsided. the next question is, there is a light layer of green algae growing on the rock work. Is this normal? I do not want it to get out of control, but I do not want to overreact and get more snails to cure something that is probably not a problem.

EdKruzel · 04/15/2006, 08:42 PM

Green hair or slime algae on the rocks is not a wanted growth, however I agree you shouldn't over react.

Try reducing the number of hours you have the lights on until you gain control.
Figure out where the excess nutrients are coming from as algae can't grow if it doesn't have food.
This can be from the food you feed or/and the amount, the bioload present and even from the water you use.
I added a moderate clean up crew, however the pods and worms are my real life savers.

Tanks may only take a few weeks to complete a nitrogen cycle, but they take nearly a year to mature.
Be very patient and allow the tank to mature before trying to turn it into a full blown reef.

Ed

04/10/2006, 08:11 PM	#1
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	Algae Question I have lived through the new tank algae storm on my new 90g. At this point it is the normal scrape and filter routine. I have noticed that a large amount of algae has grown in the "teeth" where the water passes to the overflow in my drilled tank. Also algae is growing in the overflow itself. Is there any benefit of this kind of algae to the reef? Should I clean this algae out of the overflow? __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

04/10/2006, 08:13 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would clean it out of the overflow so that the overflow doesn't get blocked, depending on the type of algae in question. There's no significant advantage to having algae growing there __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/10/2006, 08:20 PM	#3
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	Thank you. That is what I thought, but I have learned to check my thoughts here first. By the way, it has only been 30-45 days and the coraline is starting to grow on the rocks. I will post pictures soon once I figure out how to cut down the file size. __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

04/10/2006, 08:24 PM	#4
Fast Fred Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northfield, NJ 08225 Posts: 1,170	Instead of cutting down the file size, try using PhotoBucket.com to host your pics. __________________ Ya know, for a clown fish, you're not very funny! Member of the New Jersey Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 125g Reef Ready AGA /55g Top Fin Tank for a sump/refugium/ LifeReef Skimmer/ Changing over to SPS only

04/10/2006, 08:26 PM	#5
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	I've always used a bottle brush to keep the ''teeth'' of the overflow open and operating at maximum efficiency, however I do not recommend cleaning out the inner walls of the box; at least not completely. The algae growing on the inside will absorb nutrients and act as a mini alga turf scrubber. I had a nice Navarchus angel that devoured aptasia anemones so I never worried about them in the main portion of the tank, however they began to grow in the overflows and that was an initial concern. I was chatting with Anthony Calfo and I happened to mention it; he suggested I leave them and encourage new growth. Once the algae had a good layer of growth and plenty of aptasia began to fill the overflow my tank became crystal clear and despite the amount of food I was feeding my skimmer barely pulled any scum from the water; my parameters were always excellent. Ed __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

04/10/2006, 09:11 PM	#6
Fast Fred Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northfield, NJ 08225 Posts: 1,170	I like your logic on that one ed. I never knew Aptasia were good scrubbers. Is that true??? I'm starting to feel as if I shouldn't have killed the ones growing in my overflow. __________________ Ya know, for a clown fish, you're not very funny! Member of the New Jersey Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 125g Reef Ready AGA /55g Top Fin Tank for a sump/refugium/ LifeReef Skimmer/ Changing over to SPS only

04/10/2006, 09:52 PM	#7
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	In Anthony's book on propagation he goes into detail about using aptasia as filters. Aptasia are very aggressive feeders and utilize a great deal of the particles they catch therefore releasing very little waste. My overflows were large and I would use a fine mesh net to scrape up the sides to remove sheets of hair algae. I did this about every three months or so as a nutrient export. Ed __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef

04/15/2006, 08:34 PM	#8
jdm01 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield Posts: 904	Great advice, thanks. I will use a brush of some kind to clean the teeth on the overflow. I was afraid to take the panel off and clean it. The algae seems to be growing from in between the panels on the overflow. If I remove the display tank side to clean it, I fear that I will create a new algae problem in the tank. The clean up crew have been working well. The algae storm has subsided. the next question is, there is a light layer of green algae growing on the rock work. Is this normal? I do not want it to get out of control, but I do not want to overreact and get more snails to cure something that is probably not a problem. __________________ John Martin Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon BioCube

04/15/2006, 08:42 PM	#9
EdKruzel Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 7,384	Green hair or slime algae on the rocks is not a wanted growth, however I agree you shouldn't over react. Try reducing the number of hours you have the lights on until you gain control. Figure out where the excess nutrients are coming from as algae can't grow if it doesn't have food. This can be from the food you feed or/and the amount, the bioload present and even from the water you use. I added a moderate clean up crew, however the pods and worms are my real life savers. Tanks may only take a few weeks to complete a nitrogen cycle, but they take nearly a year to mature. Be very patient and allow the tank to mature before trying to turn it into a full blown reef. Ed __________________ When you find yourself in "Deep Water" it's best to keep your mouth shut! Current Tank Info: 65RR Cube Mixed Reef