Algae Questions..

[Jeremy0322]

So i have a few questions pertaining to a small algae "outbreak" that i have recently been having. I use the term outbreak in quotes because i dont know what else to call it, its small, not in clumbs, and not everywhere really, its just ugly and annoying. Its brown and stringy, almost looks like it coats the rocks.Also, its doing a wonderful job of catching the dust that my new sand sifting goby has been kicking up like crazy since he was introduced. I assume that is normal since the bed has never really been stirred, and it seems to be getting better in the spots that he frequents. Anyhoo...

So the water averages..

80 degrees
1.025 salinity
0 ammonia, trates, trites
PH is 8.2

Lights come on at about 11:30 am with the actinics and then at 1:00 the daylights come on, 265 watt PC's that are about 4 months old, then at about 10:30pm the daylights go off, followed by the actinics at 12:00am.

Now, i tested for Phosphates a few minutes ago and they came in at a nice .01 ppm but i dont know if that is because the algae and the chaeto that i have in the sump are using it all up. The one thing that I worry about is I used phosban in the past with wonderful results, but if i start using it again wont that cut off the supply to the chaeto? I will get pictures when I can, but the camera is currently at a fair. Thanks for the help in advance

[Jeremy0322]

and, could it just be that the goby is stirring up stuff that hasnt been stirred up in a while and will just go away on its own eventually. I forgot to say that I do a 5 gallon water change once a week on a 55 gallon tank, and use walmart bought RO/DI water with instant ocean salt. Any other questions i will be happy to answer.

[cbrownfish]

Originally Posted by Jeremy0322

and, could it just be that the goby is stirring up stuff that hasnt been stirred up in a while and will just go away on its own eventually.

Yes this is very possible. If you have measurable PO4, then you have a line on your issue. Measurable nutrients mean that your chaeto is not utilizing all of the PO4 anyway. Any algae, slime, etc, is in indication of excess nutrients. Limit the nutrients and you will eliminate the issue. Chaeto growth will definitely slow down if you run GFO, however, you are probably more concerned about unsightly algae in the display.

[Jeremy0322]

Yea, i kinda figured that was the case. You know anywhere that i can get it for a relatively cheap price, i have the money but if i can save some on it then why not.

Anyways, here are a few pictures so you can see what I am talking about.









If it helps at all...and thank you for the fast reply.

[johnmaloney]

looks like a small diatom problem. some cleaners will take care of that quickly, nothing that bad at all.

[reefmasta]

agree on the diatom (ambiant lighting?). maybe try and blow th detritus off your rocks once in awile if u havent because that will also contribute to algae growing on your rocks. and also if u dont have any hermits get the blue leg hermits and couple scarlet red legs,

[johnmaloney]

hermits are not really the best way to go in cleaning that stuff. blue legs will clean it a bit, but ceriths and nerites destroy it. lighting wouldn't matter much, as diatoms can grow in low light, and will just bounce right back when the lights come back on. they are feeding on the silicate in your tank.