Algae in overflow remove or not

SMaggart · May 15, 2022

My 180g has a lot of built up dark, green & brown algae in the overflow box in the tank. My nitrates are high, all other levels are normal & salinity is 1.022 but I just added 5g of freah 2 days ago so I’ll bring that back to 1.024-1.025. I want to dig out all the clumps of built up algae that I think is slowing the water flow but not sure if it will unbalance everything else or not. Its like a good fist full of algae sponge. Suggestions? I need to get my Nitrates down they are really high!

mehaffydr · May 15, 2022

Welcome to R2R

mehaffydr · May 15, 2022

I would remove the algae just try not too loose too much into the system. Removing the algae is a good way to export nutrients.Don't worry more will grow in its place as long as there are nutrients for it.

blaxsun · May 15, 2022

Kennya · May 15, 2022

Welcome to R2R

SMaggart · May 15, 2022

mehaffydr said:
I would remove the algae just try not too loose too much into the system. Removing the algae is a good way to export nutrients.Don't worry more will grow in its place as long as there are nutrients for it.

Thank you

vetteguy53081 · May 15, 2022

SMaggart said:
My 180g has a lot of built up dark, green & brown algae in the overflow box in the tank. My nitrates are high, all other levels are normal & salinity is 1.022 but I just added 5g of freah 2 days ago so I’ll bring that back to 1.024-1.025. I want to dig out all the clumps of built up algae that I think is slowing the water flow but not sure if it will unbalance everything else or not. Its like a good fist full of algae sponge. Suggestions? I need to get my Nitrates down they are really high!

You can shave off with edge of an old credit card or similiar. Light somehow is getting to area promoting this algae and if you block the light- you block its food source.
Before addressing nitrates, what test kit are you using ? Can be a false reading.

vetteguy53081 · May 15, 2022

RedReefer · May 15, 2022

Welcome to R2R!!! Remove the algae. I use at wet vac in my sump and overflow.

Rmckoy · May 15, 2022

First things first .
hello and welcome .

the algae in the over flow can be manually removed if you can reach it .
it might help export some nutrients with its removal .
When you say nitrates are high ?
What are you testing with and exactly how high are they ?