Algae Problem

ipedrero · 12/04/2018, 07:01 AM

Hello guys, this is my first post, i have a reefer 425xl 100 gal tank, ive had it for about 7 months, but ive been battling with algae for the past 3 months, ive brushed it off and it comes back after a week or so, im dosing alk and ca, as well i have a reactor with roaphos and carbon as well and a refugium. my parameters are alk 9.0, ca 470, phosphates 0 and nitrates less than 5, here are some pictures, first i thought it was the flow because i have 2 vortech mp10, but i got the nero 5 and now i have all 4 of them, for lights i have 2 hydra 56hd with the saxby schedule.

mcgyvr · 12/04/2018, 07:25 AM

Rule #1 of identification pictures..
Turn the blue channel of your lights off or way down.. All that blue distorts colors and does not show proper color rendition.. Proper color can be important to identification pictures.. No algae is even identifiable in that first picture..

Second picture looks like typical new tank algae (may even be classified as a bacteria) that will go away in time with continued proper maintenance. Its just a phase a tank goes through.. Typically that will start to recede after the 1 year mark or so..

OldReefGuy · 12/04/2018, 11:23 AM

^ what he said

ipedrero · 12/05/2018, 05:19 AM

Thanks for the reply, ill take a new picture as soon as the algae comes back, as i just cleaned all the rock, but if it is the algae that you are saying for a new tank, how can i keep it under control apart from a regular water change?, thanks for the help

mcgyvr · 12/05/2018, 05:37 AM

Maintain appropriate nitrate and phosphate levels as you are..
Continue with manual removal as needed.
Utilize a clean up crew (snails, urchin,etc...)

Others choose to add things like macro algae refugiums or algal turf scrubbers to compete with the algae in the display tank.

Sounds to me like you are doing all that you need to do for now though..
Some algae should be expected and tolerated in a tank..

12/04/2018, 07:25 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Rule #1 of identification pictures.. Turn the blue channel of your lights off or way down.. All that blue distorts colors and does not show proper color rendition.. Proper color can be important to identification pictures.. No algae is even identifiable in that first picture.. Second picture looks like typical new tank algae (may even be classified as a bacteria) that will go away in time with continued proper maintenance. Its just a phase a tank goes through.. Typically that will start to recede after the 1 year mark or so.. __________________ Who me?

12/05/2018, 05:37 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Maintain appropriate nitrate and phosphate levels as you are.. Continue with manual removal as needed. Utilize a clean up crew (snails, urchin,etc...) Others choose to add things like macro algae refugiums or algal turf scrubbers to compete with the algae in the display tank. Sounds to me like you are doing all that you need to do for now though.. Some algae should be expected and tolerated in a tank.. __________________ Who me?

12/04/2018, 11:23 AM	#3
OldReefGuy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 542	^ what he said

12/05/2018, 05:19 AM	#4
ipedrero Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 2	Thanks for the reply, ill take a new picture as soon as the algae comes back, as i just cleaned all the rock, but if it is the algae that you are saying for a new tank, how can i keep it under control apart from a regular water change?, thanks for the help