Algae help!

[jmalone26]

I have a 90g that is 3 weeks old. It was stocked with live rock from my old 55g tank and some new rock. 2in. deep sand bed. Everything was going fine until about a week ago. The brown diatom bloom had died off and everything seemed ok. That was when the algae started. I thought it might be briopsis or hair algae but all pictures I have seen do not look like mine. It looks fibrous and almost clear for a stalk and looks like a feather duster at the top. In some places, the algae is 3-4" long. I have been pulling it an scraping as best as I can to no avail. The only things in my tank are live rock, 12 tubo snails, and a 3 red legged hermits. The turbos seem to eat the algae but they can't keep up. All of my levels: ammonia:0 Nitrites:0 Nitrates:10 Ph:8.1. I dont' have a phosphate test yet but am getting one very soon. I just want to know how to get rid of this algea or keep it under control. I read and read and read and can't find much help.

thanks in advance

Jeff

[leebca]

Once the algae is properly identified, then you can starve it out or find the right thing it doesn't like to retard its growth.

I don't know the kind you've got from your description. However in general, algae control is best done by reducing and controlling the source of phosphates. Check to see where/how phosphates are getting into your aquarium. Test source water and investigate other sources.

Next, control by snail is in fact the way to go. Most snails won't eat long strands of algae, but once it is short, cropped to the surface, they will eat it and prevent its growth. More snails of the type that are known to eat the algae you have is the way to go (in addition to the control of phosphates).

If the tank is really just 3 weeks old, then I suspect a maturing problem can be a part of the scenario. Brown algae doesn't normally come and go in just 3 weeks and would find that report rather strange. So this algae may just have to go through its bloom too to stabilize.

I don't know the setting up process you are following, but suggest you review this guideline: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[jmalone26]

Thanks Lee. I'm getting into the phosphates this week. I really did have brown everywhere, sand, rock, etc. The best I could research said it was that it was diatoms. It is gone now. I have read the "Setting Up a FOWLR" and am following it as best as I can. Here are the best pictures I could take of the algae in my tank right now. I have read quite a lot that you have written and you have always been a great help.

[rluix]

Thanks Lee. I'm getting into the phosphates this week. I really did have brown everywhere, sand, rock, etc. The best I could research said it was that it was diatoms. It is gone now. I have read the "Setting Up a FOWLR" and am following it as best as I can. Here are the best pictures I could take of the algae in my tank right now. I have read quite a lot that you have written and you have always been a great help.

Attachment 14360

Wow, that must be the first algea that i see and isn't actually ugly!

[leebca]

One of the many hitchhiker algae that unfortunately enjoy captive life.

Some will recommend cutting back the lighting, but I have found that Nature will usually find a way as long as nutrients are available and there is any light at all. I would get rid of the crabs and instead add in about 50+ snails that eat algae. Mix and match a few varieties.

Control the phosphates. Do more frequent and large water changes to keep nitrates reduced. There must also be some kind of organic source -- is some of the live rock dying off? Was any of the 'live rock' dried out before you put it in? Are you getting any readings of ammonia or nitrites? Are you using a chemical filter AND a skimmer? I'd recommend a skimmer, but the chemical filter is a must. If not, set up and run an activated carbon filter. Change out half of the carbon every 3 weeks, so pack it so that this will be an easy maintenance routine. A total of 1 lb in the filter will be sufficient if you are not using a skimmer.

Read through this post, you'll find some helpful info here about sizing a skimmer, filtration and (obviously) water quality: What is Water Quality

When this is done, then physically attack the algae, removing as much as you can see. If you can see it, remove it. That should then be pretty much the end of it, though you can expect any you left long will continue to grow.

The brown 'algae' is indeed diatoms, but they usually hang around for several weeks. So, you're ahead of the game with water that is low in silica compounds. Start seeking out and removing/reducing sources of phosphates.

The above should work Jeff.