Algae Problem

[dirty59rt]

I've had my 70 gal. runnin for about 3 weeks now, and i'm gettin a serious algae problem. I've got snails and crabs in my tank but they will hardly touch the stuff. What can i do?

[atzak]

Algae blooms are fairly common in a new set up, sometimes you just to be patient and let the tank continue to cycle. What kind of algae is it?

[SPANKYSREEF]

Algae blooms are very common in the first couple months of cycling. Nothing to really worry about. You may want to cut the lights for a couple weeks while cycling, this will slow down the bloom....I am sure the experts will give you some more advice, just thought I would throw my 2 cents in!....HTH....Anthony

[brifirst]

Dont keep the light on so long, get the tank out of the sun. Stop putting so much food it.

[dirty59rt]

I've already got all my livestock in there. So i can't cut the lights completely. Is there any additives or creatures more suitable o get rid of the algae? If not then i'll just keep waiting. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to take over my tank...

[brifirst]

Three weeks, what livestock is it the tank besides snails and crabs.

[SPANKYSREEF]

1 month wait before any live stock would have been a good idea. All you can do now is wait. It will clear itself eventually.

[webdr]

have you tested your phosphates? High PO4 levels will definately make algea, especially the brown kind....I use rowa phos phosphate and silicate absorber, its a charcoal like substance in a fabric pouch that you put in your return chamber of your skimmer or filter...works well and lasts about 3 months...it cut down on algae.

[dirty59rt]

i got all my rock, some shrooms, polyps, zoo's, a crocea, plate coral, sebae, 2 perculas, and a mandarin dragonet. Everything is doing great. The only problem is the algae. I don't know the correct name for the algae in there now, but some is long haired green, some short thick green, some leafy green stuff, bubble, and some thick red stuff. There isn't a whole lot of it, it just seems to be growing and i didn't want it getting out of control...

[dirty59rt]

And no i haven't tested my phosphates, i was planning on that next. just wanted some advise first.

[dirty59rt]

Does livestock in the tank that early ( 3 weeks) promote algae growth?

[brifirst]

It is my opinion that there is too much in the tank too early, I could be wrong. What will your Manderine be dining on ?

[dirty59rt]

He seems to stay full. I've got shrimp and copapods in there. I seem him picking them off all the time.

[NOTORIOUS LEE]

I had a major algae bloom when I first set-up my tank with the kind of algae you described & it really got me down.

I then went to my LFS & purchased a sea hare which did a fantastic job & cleared it completely within a few weeks.

You may want to try one of those or a sea urchin.

[dirty59rt]

Thanks, i'll check into it. But i've heard urchins are bad guys to reef tanks...