Hey guys, one of my tanks (20 gallon SW ) seems to have an emerging algea problem, i tried adding 2 snails and algeafix but nothing seems to be working. i also scraped at it for about 30 minutes and barley got any of it off, i was wondering what the most effective way would be of getting rid of this annoying invincible algae
algea problems
- Thread starter highroller7491
- Start date
Well that depends on what type of algae you are dealing with - slime, crusting, coraline, diatom, ect.
What color is it and where is it forming?
If your tank does not have any photosynthetic corals, or at least not any which rely 100% on photosynthesis, then you can try adjusting your lighting schedule for about a week or so, reducing the full lighting to about 3-4 hours during the day and having only actinics or moonlights on the rest of the time. Keeping good water parameters and stirring the sand bed frequently will help reduce unwanted algal blooms. Keeping a strong and multi-directional current also helps. UV sterilizers help to reduce algea by neutralizing free floating spores. There any way to get us a picture?
What color is it and where is it forming?
If your tank does not have any photosynthetic corals, or at least not any which rely 100% on photosynthesis, then you can try adjusting your lighting schedule for about a week or so, reducing the full lighting to about 3-4 hours during the day and having only actinics or moonlights on the rest of the time. Keeping good water parameters and stirring the sand bed frequently will help reduce unwanted algal blooms. Keeping a strong and multi-directional current also helps. UV sterilizers help to reduce algea by neutralizing free floating spores. There any way to get us a picture?
ya heres a picture of the worst area of the tank come to think of it its directly where the water is flown towards by the filter, the problem might be the lack of different directions of water flow, but ill reduce the lighting and stire the sand bed as well
[img=http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/926/photoij9.th.jpg]
[img=http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/926/photoij9.th.jpg]
if you can find the time pull the rock out and scrub scrub scrub. i had the sam e problem and that helped alot. i also vaccumed the sand and reduced the lighting. all worked out good. give it a try.
I had a algae problem shortly after I started my tank also. Here is what worked for me, Get a new toothbrush and scrub as much off your live rock as possible. Adjust your lighting times, a few less hours a day won't hurt anything. Get a good cleaner crew and keep the tank out of direct sunlight. Hope that helps.