15g tank issues

[Hazzzmatt89]

So after taking about 8 years off from the hobby I got a little 15g tank about 6 months ago. Everything was doing great do weekly 3g water changes and now I’m have a pretty large algae outbreak

It’s starting to take over my zoas and causing them not to open and just look bad, is this the tank maturing I remember dealing with this but it’s been a long time

I’m sure I feed way to much which is causing excessive nutrients in the tank I did take my fleece roller out and since added it back in because it started after tanking it out. I was planning on taking the rock out and scrubbing some algae off just to get it out and trying to feed less??

I have a pair of clowns, a yasha goby with small pistol shrimp who stay in their cave mostly and I did just put two baby bangai cardinals i impulsively from the lfs in planning on getting a bigger tank later down the road.

Last pic was how the rocks looked a month and half ago

 

[GHOSTLY]

Whats your current nutrients?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

5 fish in a 15 is very overstocked. I would suggest to greatly increase the water changes. The filtration on a 15 gallon is not able to handle the heavy bioload plus feeding, that’s the reason for the algae IMO. And I don’t suggest to feed less, it’s not the fishes fault after all.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

I have just 2 clowns in my 15g but over feed due to the 5 sexy shrimp. I do ~4g water changes every 7-10 days. Something has to be way off for that much algae, even in a new tank. If possible “rent” a sea hare. I say “rent” because once you run out of algae for it to eat you will have to rehome it. While that puts in work, you need to figure out what caused the algae outbreak and get it under control.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I like the little Tunze 9001 DC on my 10g QT. Water changes are great, but they allow the algae to grab nutrients all the way up until you do a WC, and then it starts grabbing nutrients again right afterwards. At least with a skimmer running, the algae has constant competition.

 

[Hazzzmatt89]

Whats your current nutrients?

I have to test them I don’t know going to the fish store tomorrow

 

[Hazzzmatt89]

5 fish in a 15 is very overstocked. I would suggest to greatly increase the water changes. The filtration on a 15 gallon is not able to handle the heavy bioload plus feeding, that’s the reason for the algae IMO. And I don’t suggest to feed less, it’s not the fishes fault after all.

There were only 2 clowns I added the other fish after the outbreak of algae but I do agree with it being too much I was planning on upgrading. I should of added the pair of cardinals but they are the size of a dime so didn’t think much of it

 

[GHOSTLY]

I have to test them I don’t know going to the fish store tomorrow

Ill say even during my tank uglies I never had a crazy amount of algae. Definitely some but not a whole ton. The thing with the first 6 months is that the tank is balancing itself so I feel you will be more susceptible to swings. Try not to overthink it right now but test your water and try to manage your nutrients. Its better to be stable then to chase numbers

 

[Tahoe61]

There were only 2 clowns I added the other fish after the outbreak of algae but I do agree with it being too much I was planning on upgrading. I should of added the pair of cardinals but they are the size of a dime so didn’t think much of it

They still eat, and produce waste.

Sounds like a bigger tank is in your future.

BRS videos can provide a lot of insight.

 

[Drag80n Reef]

I have to test them I don’t know going to the fish store tomorrow

I suggest buying some quality test kits if you already don’t have some. You’re probably going to have to test daily to check if your interventions are effective

 

[Hazzzmatt89]

They still eat, and produce waste.

Sounds like a bigger tank is in your future.

BRS videos can provide a lot of insight.

I am planning on getting a bigger tank probably sooner than later and transferring the livestock not planning on keeping them all in there long term but wanted to get a handle on the algae hopefully so I can transfer the rock as well

 

[Hazzzmatt89]

Ill say even during my tank uglies I never had a crazy amount of algae. Definitely some but not a whole ton. The thing with the first 6 months is that the tank is balancing itself so I feel you will be more susceptible to swings. Try not to overthink it right now but test your water and try to manage your nutrients. Its better to be stable then to chase numbers

Thank you I will

 

[BigDangler]

You have more fish than I do in a 33gal... slooooowww doowwwwwnnnn.. Unless you plan on setting up your bigger tank like manana.... feed a little less.. keep everything somewhat in check.. keep doing your water changes.. it'll pass.. i have the same new tank syndrome and it'll go away if you just keep up with water changes.. and yes id also scrape off as much as you can before a water change and siphon out as much as you can..

 

[Hazzzmatt89]

This was my last tank I had set up but I have to realize this is a smaller tank and not as mature

, I took most of the rock out today and scrubbed it and did a 50 percent water change, and put some rowa plus in one of the back chambers looking to upgrade in the next month or I may end up taking the pair of bangai cardinals back to the fish store if I don’t