Green Film Algae

[Coach63]

Hello all,
I am having a problem with green film algae for a couple of days now. As you can see it is a relatively new tank (going on 2 months after cycle completion). All parameters are good, no phosphates and 3ppm nitrates. I only have the lights (Gen 3 pros) on at 30% and only for about 5 hours. I have a Vertex 180i skimmer. I am running carbon to clear the water but it doesn't seem to help. I have a hermit crabs, astraea snails and a sally face crab for my CUC.

How do I get rid of this stuff? It has made my whole tank cloudy. I cleaned off the glass before the picture or you wouldn't even see the rocks.

 

[FLAdaboy]

Looks like it could be diatoms. But what are you doing to contribute to nutrients? Do you have fish? If not, you should t be feeding your tank because the CUC should be eating algae.

 

[FLAdaboy]

Additionally, carbon during a cycle can allow bacteria to colonize carbon. I avoid running carbon during a cycle. Once cycle completes and you have fish and do feedings, run carbon.

 

[Coach63]

I have four fish and feed light. My cycle has been complete for 2 months and I just started running carbon. I waited to start it after my cycle was complete. Do diatoms put a film on the glass? I thought they just were on the rocks and sand.

Thanks for your help.

 

[FLAdaboy]

They cover any area. I had them all over my powerheads. Also added newer powerheads to an established tank and had a bloom on the new ones.

 

[Cscultho]

They cover any area. I had them all over my powerheads. Also added newer powerheads to an established tank and had a bloom on the new ones.

What is your source of water and what type of salt do you use?

 

[FLAdaboy]

What is your source of water and what type of salt do you use?

RODI and reef crystals

 

[Coach63]

I use RODI and Red Sea coral reef pro for salt

 

[Murica]

Just my experience here.. I've set up three saltwater tanks, each tank had the same issue for a few weeks to months. I think it's a new tank thing. Never have had problems after that.

 

[jhatfield]

My two month old tank looks exactly the same... bright green film algae and rocks have turned a dull grey. Snails don't seem to like this stuff as much as the diatoms a couple weeks ago. No fish, just snails and a couple shrimp.

 

[coolhand]

I've got the same problem. Tanks 2 months old. I've turned my skimmer up a little. I'm emptying it twice a day. The skim is watery but it does seem to help a little. I'm cleaning glass 3-4 times daily I'm running a filter sock on my overflow that I also clean 3-4 times a day. I just started carbon a day ago. I've cut my blues back to 6 hours a day and full spectrum back to 2. It seems to be clearer now. It's been really bad for a week.