green algae

[LH$007]

Tank has been set up for about two months. Light green algae has start to appear. Do not have any type of tester for nitrates or ammonia, etc. What do I need to do to fight this problem. Any information will help. :o

[CD]

First we will need more info from you...tank size, filtration, type water you use for top off (RO/DI hopefully), what you are using for water flow (powerheads), depth and type of substrate (if any), are there any inhabitants (fish, inverts), refugium?, etc. (pretty much any thing you can think of information wise that might be helpful). ;)

BTW - where are you located? Most local fish stores will test your water params for you - this information would be VERY helpful.

W.

[Thunderkat]

Yeah, tell us everything about your tank.

-size of tank
-number of occupants
-size of occupants
-type of occupants
-filters
-flow
-depth of sand
-how much live rock
-what do you use for make up water
-water parameters
-how long have you had your tank running

Some of the big things are limiting silicates added to your tank (RO water use greatly reduces amounts of silicates you add to your tank) and reducing phosphate levels (can be lowered by slowly dripping kalkwasser and don't overfeed your fish). A good skimmer can help lower the amount of dissolved organics in your water as well as remove some algal spores.

Growing macro algae can also limit other types of algae from growing in your tank but be sure to select the fast growing kinds and remove the excess periodically.

Can you tell I have had the same problem in the past? :lol

Edit: didn't see that you had tank up for 2 months. A little bit of algae will not throw a wrench in the gears and its also common to have algae bloom during the inital set up period of your tank.

[GaryP]

My best guess is that ammonia or nitrates many not be as much of an issue as phosphates. Testing for phosphates is somewhat problematic because the hobbyist test kit only detects one type of phosphate (there are 2). IMO anytime there is a hair algae bloom, especially on a new tank, phosphates are almost always the culprit.

[LH$007]

My tank size is an 85 hex and I am using RO/DI water for top offs. I currently have two 1200 maxi power jets, metal halide(125/150 watts), wet dry system and about 40lbs. of live rock. Also, I have a little giant pump and a protein skimmer. Don't remember the name of the skimmer. I do know it starts with the letter R and have about four letters in it. I'm only using at the present time 20lbs. of aragonite reef sand. I'm using oceanic salt. I do have 5 snails that took care of my Diatom algae problem. So, this is pretty much what I have at the present time. I'm a new hobbyist that don't know too much about the fish world, but love salt water aquariums. So, if the maast crew can deal with my immaturity I will greatly appreciate it.

[GaryP]

A diatom bloom is usually the first thing in a new tank. A hair algae bloom commonly follows the diatoms.

The ecological term for that is successive progression. Sorta like johnson grass quickly sprouting in soil that has been recently disturbed.