Hello All

Suzan

New Member
I am new to this site but not new to salt water I have had my tank for about 8 years never had an issue now all the sudden I am having an issue with Green Hair algea I have used a liguid treatment that you add to the tank and let circulate for 24 hours via power head but everything is turned off as it said I should, done water changes scrapped the rock that it is on to no avail. I really do not want to get rid of this rock as it is the center piece of my tank and is covered in zoa's as well and suggestions would be awesome.
 

nanoreefing4fun

Well-Known Member
RS STAFF
welcomefish.gif

to ReefSanctuary, a real Sanctuary of reef forums, with lots of very nice members

Start a tank thread & share your tank with us so we can follow along, we love pics :dance:

Sure some members can advise on the GHA your not along in the fight

might post a link to the liquid treatment you are trying... links are allowed here on RS, as long as it's in the spirit of helping & one has no commercial interest or receives any compensation from the site :nessie:
 

DaveK

Well-Known Member
Long term the algae control products might work on the current problem algae, but unless you actually fix the problem, all you will get is a new problem algae replaceing the original problem algae.

Tell us more about your tank, size, filtration, lighting, livestock, actual parameter readings especially for nitrate and phosphate.

Meanwhile here are some basic thoughts on algae control -

DaveK's Standard Lecture #2 - Algae Control

Algae control comes down to controlling nitrates and phosphates. If you have a problem with algae it is because these two nutrients are out of control. Do not think that just because your test kits read zero or low values that you do not have a problem. In many cases the algae is removing the nutrients and growing. This is why there is a problem.

Here are possible sources of nitrates and phosphates -

Feeding, especially flake food and not rinsing frozen foods before feeding.
Using tap water to mix salt. Always use RO/DI water for this.
"Dirt traps" and "nitrate factories" in the system.
Low quality carbon can leach nutrients.
Low quality salt can sometimes add nutrients. This is unusual today.
Livestock load on the system

Here are possible ways to remove nitrates and phosphates -

Water changes. Change 1/2 the water and you reduce the nutrients by 1/2.
Skimming. Remove the waste products before the biological filtration need to break then down.
Nitrate and phosphate removal products.
Deep sand beds.
Refugiums.
Algae Scrubbers.

Each of these has advantages and disadvantages. Most people that control algae well use many of the above methods.

There are also other items that can effect algae growth rates.

Good clean up crew.
Other livestock that eats algae.
Low general water quality, especially when the readings are off.

Lighting, sometimes you can reduce it, especially in FO or FOWLR systems.
Old light bulbs. Colors change as they age and this can be a factor.
Water flow. More flow will often help keep algae down.
Manual removal. Very important, especially when there is a big problem.
 
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