[philolsen]

I have very fast growing algae on my substrate that I would like to know how/if I can control. I have a 55 with about 40 lbs currently and curing another 50 lbs of live rock, 30 lbs each of live sand and crushed coral substrate. I am working on setting up 2 10 gal tanks, 1 as sump and the other a refugium, for filters I currently have a Fluval 404 (which will have all media pulled out of it once balance or rock is installed) a Prizm skimmer and a 11 watt UV filter, lighting is a 260 watt fixture with 2-12000k daylights that run 8 hours a day and 2-actinics that run 12 hours a day as well as led's for night. Tha algae that grows is on top of the substrate and is green in color, the glass is clean thanks to my Kole tang so there is no issue there. I but my water from a locas fish store that is run thru a RO and UV filtration process and pre mixed with salt, salinity is .021, temp is 79. I am also considering adding some snails and crabs but I have a Huma Huma Trigger so I dont know if they will be a snack, he is almost 2 years old and is used to processed foods, he leaves polyps and the mushroom that are growing on a couple pieces of the rock alone so I am willing to give it a shot, I am not brave enought o try shrimp yet though.

[The R/C Man]

Ok here it goes.

Agae and bacteria generally require nutrients for their proliferation. Therefore, the overfeeding of tank inhabitants, the use of tap water, die off from newly introduced rock etc can all be contributing factors to an "outbreak". Usually it will cycle out on its own if caused by a recently introduced batch of rock for example. If it is an ongoing problem then you can begin to look at maintance issues. Overfeeding or tap water usage for example. Other considerations could be an inadiquate skimmer or a contaminated canister filter. I know that is a lot info so you will need to consider each one as suspect. Since you know your tank better than anyone you can probably eliminate a majority rather quickly.

Instead of using two tanks for the sump/refugium have you considered one tank partitioned with acrylic baffles? Less parts equals less potential for failure.