Green Algae everywhere

[H-TownMike]

Being new I think this may be an issue but anyway ... I am having green algae all over my rocks and glass being from freshwater this was always a sign of a problem in my tanks. However I've been told this Green algae on my rocks and glass is perfectly normal and a "good thing " . My parameters are as follows Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates 0 Phos 0.08 Alk 8.3 Salinity 1.025 Ph 8.3 Ca 487 Mag 1440.... I have Neo-Nitro arriving tomorrow so I can start dosing to get to about 10. I have a large CUC about 20 smaller snails 20 smaller hermits 5 emerald crabs and an tuxedo urchin . I just don't understand why i have all this algae

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Do you have pictures of what the algae looks like? To me it sounds like diatoms with how new your tank is

 

[Stevorino]

1. Can you post a picture?
2. You say 'new', but how long has the tank been cycled? (no ammonia readings)
3. Where'd you get your rock from?

In the meantime, I would NOT dose Nitrates. IMO that is a recipe for disaster with a young tank. If you are concerned about Nitrates, consider feeding more. I'd also double-confirm Nitrates are a 0 with another test kit before dosing to supplement.

Your phosphates are within reason, but on the high side. Without seeing the algae, I'd focus more on containing that phosphate number than boosting nitrates. Lanthanum Chloride and GFO are both good options.

 

[H-TownMike]

Ive tested with my Hanna 4 times I still get 0 Nitrates when its always worked and had good readings and the test liquid has always been slightly pink but the last 4 times its been clear.. The tank is about 4.5 months since the cycle completed 0 Ammonia 0 nitrites... I thought anything below 0.1 Phos was good and I was to maintain 100:1 to nitrates ..... So what Ive been told if your nitrates are 10 your phos should be 0.1.. Excuse the yellow filter its all i have to filter out the blue.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I wouldn't stress too hard about that kind of algae. That looks like diatoms (or the ugly phase of a new tank). This alga is common when starting with dry rock. That algae will eventually go away over time.

 

[H-TownMike]

I wouldn't stress too hard about that kind of algae. That looks like diatoms (or the ugly phase of a new tank). This alga is common when starting with dry rock. That algae will eventually go away over time.

ok Ill try not to stress over it ...lol I just dont like it very much but everything is happy and healthy was just hoping that I could get rid of the green ..

 

[Stevorino]

100% Agree with @Gumbies R Us

This is a natural step with dry rock. Just keep doing what your doing.

My only other advice would be to keep an eye on phosphates and try to keep them under ~.05ppm. I wouldn't chase that number necessarily, but if they start to creep above .1ppm you could run into a nastier problem down the road.

Good job!

 

[H-TownMike]

100% Agree with @Gumbies R Us

This is a natural step with dry rock. Just keep doing what your doing.

My only other advice would be to keep an eye on phosphates and try to keep them under ~.05ppm. I wouldn't chase that number necessarily, but if they start to creep above .1ppm you could run into a nastier problem down the road.

Good job!

I am trying to keep all of my parameters right but yes I will watch it closely to make sure it doesn't go up anymore. it was creeping up for a little while then I switched to frozen mysis shrimp every other day instead of PEMysis pellets everyday and everyone seems to like the change. and Phos stays down as well.

 

[Stevorino]

I am trying to keep all of my parameters right but yes I will watch it closely to make sure it doesn't go up anymore. it was creeping up for a little while then I switched to frozen mysis shrimp every other day instead of PEMysis pellets everyday and everyone seems to like the change. and Phos stays down as well.

Sounds good!


FWIW, for your size tank I'm a big fan of Phostphat-E (Brightwell) and Phosphate RX. Both are lanthanum chloride solutions. Each costs ~$15-20 for a bottle, which should last a while, and a couple of drops here and there will nuke that phosphate. Just be careful not to add too much too fast.

 

[H-TownMike]

Sounds good!


FWIW, for your size tank I'm a big fan of Phostphat-E (Brightwell) and Phosphate RX. Both are lanthanum chloride solutions. Each costs ~$15-20 for a bottle, which should last a while, and a couple of drops here and there will nuke that phosphate. Just be careful not to add too much too fast.

Ok I will add that to the shopping list and get it on the way ..