Brown and Red algae...

[Disciple882542]

I have a brown algae in my tank that I’m having trouble removing. It is a very low growing algae that is present in only high current areas. I don’t think it is a diatom type algae but is similar. I have a powerhead directed at the rear aquarium wall that is starting to get covered by this stuff. It’s predominately in the high current areas…any ideas?

I also have a tough, low growing, red algae that is behaving much the same way. It’s growing on some of my rocks in the higher current areas of my system as well.

- My bulbs are pretty fresh (440 watt vho changed in May ‘07)
- Nitrates are undetectable
- PO4 is undetectable (I drip Kalk)
- Ca 400
- Alk 10.8
- 20% water change monthly (or 10% every other week)
- I run 1 bag of Chemipure changed out monthly (or there about)
- ASM G-3 Skimmer
- Temp 79 degrees
- Specific Gravity 1.026
- Red Sea Salt
- Top off water has a zero TDS

This tank has been set up for about 2 years and stable for about 12-18 months (I’ve had few hiccups along the way). All my corals (acro’s, monti’s, lps, and zoas) are growing very well. I did go through a spurt of cyano but I grew out of it about a year ago. Any ideas?

Thanks and God bless,
Chris

[blue_eyes53813]

Hello Chris, A few things come to mind that may help.. Rethink all of your additives to your tank. I think adding to much DT started my algae problem. Have you recently added anything new to the tank since or right before the start of the algae problem.? I would also up your water changes to 10% weekly until it goes away.Also cut back to feeding to once everyother day and also reducing photo period helps alot. can you post a picture of the algae?

[Disciple882542]

Thanks for the quick reply Vicki. I been using a frozen food from my LFS for the past month instead of the pellet type food I was feeding...that could be a factor. I wasn't too concerned about that though because my PO4 and 'trates have been so low. I'll try and cut back to every other day for a while but I've got one concern. Last week I added 5 of the most beautiful blue chromis I've seen in a while. Think they'll be ok feeding every other day until this stuff is under control? I'll try and get some pics as well...

All my corals as well as my fish absolutely love my LFS house food. They mix up phyto, nori, and meaty stuff in it...definately could be the source...thanks for the help!

God bless,
Chris

[blue_eyes53813]

Yep They will def. be ok if you feed them everyother day. I bet the LFS house food is contributing to the algae growth. How much of that food are you feeding them?

[Disciple882542]

I’m feeding approximately a ¾” square daily (it’s been frozen in thin sheets in a ziplock baggie). My corals have really been growing since I’ve started this stuff. I think I’m facing the trade off that all reefers face at one time or another…a way to get enough food in and out at the same time. Surely cutting back to every other day will help along with the water changes.

Thanks so much for your help…I’ll still try and get a few pics up tomorrow.

God bless,
Chris

[lcstorc]

Another thing to try is to rinse the food in RO water. This works great with commercial foods since they use phosphate as a preservative. You don't see it on the test because the algae is eating it. Worth a try anyway.
I do think it is odd that the algae is growing in high flow areas. What happens if you move gthe flow?

[sasquatch]

Testing for phosphates is very difficult as they are present in organic and inorganic amounts and our test kits only read one type, for algae to become a problem usually requires more than one element, once established it becomes a waiting/cleaning game to drive it off. steve