Green algae

[sylviaj]

Not new to the hobby but recently relocated and had to start over with my 120gal reef. System parameters stable but I have a green algae problem that I can't get rid of. No direct sunlight. Interestingly, my coralline algae has yet to spread. Suggestions?

[Poseidon]

Okay....

How about some details? Snails, hermits? What type of lights do you have, how long are they on? How long has it been since you replaced the bulbs? What is in the tank, how much Live rock, how many fish and is the "green Algae" the kind on the glass or is it a "mat" on the Sand bed?

I'll be happy to help but I just don't know how to answer w/o some more info, unless you can just turn the lights off for a few days and let the algae die off...

Mike

[sylviaj]

Sorry for delay.

Green algae is on base rocks. From readings, think it's green coralline algae and I want the pink and purple stuff! Bought an additional 5lbs figi rock completedly covered w/coralline and placed next to base rock. Didn't take.

System is 3 mos old and has approx 50lbs live rock and 100lbs base rock. Live sand approx 2". Inhabitants: 1 yellow tang, 2 blue damsels, 10 turbos, 4 sand stars, 100 blue and red legs hermits, 2 emerald crabs. Lights (3 mos olds): 4-96 watt Power compacts (2 white & 2 blue).

Parameters: all check in "normal" range. Although can't seem to raise calcium above 380. Would like 425-450.

Pink and purple coralline is on original live rocks but will not spread to base rock.

[Poseidon]

Give it some TIME!!!! with your tank being so new it will take a while for things to settle in. And of course there will be algae battles of all sorts, from Valonia to Hair Algae to Bryopsis!!!

Personally I like to use ALL snails NO CRABS as the clawed critters tend to eat snails and Mytrax crabs are bad news all together they WILL eventually turn on a prized fish, and have been known too even eat the Coralline you are trying so hard to grow!!!

One thing that others have had success with is to get some coralline from the LFS glass or even scraped from the backside of rocks, crush it swirl it mix it well and then turn off the pumps dump in the mix!!!

hope this helps!!!

Mike

[sylviaj]

Thanks for the advice! You're absolutely right that I'm being impatient. After having my tank set up for almost 7 years, starting over because of a relocation has been pretty trying. I will persevere.

I especially like the idea of getting some corraline scrapings from the LFS. I'm curious to see how receptive the LFS will be to that request.

[Poseidon]

Yup sometimes they are great, sometimes they look at you like: What drugs are you on????

Hope you get some good seed from somewhere!!!