In need of some help with salt water tank.

Dannylemp

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So, I have had this tank for about 2 years now and have had several hiccups from beginner mistakes all of which, I’ve been able to get rid of until this one and the employees at my local fish store don’t seem to be giving me the correct answer because nothing is working. I conduct a 25% water change every 10 days (cleaning the glass, using a vacuum for the live sand, picking out dead shells from snails & such, etc). I cannot seem to get rid of this horrible algae! It stated off as a red algae which, I was able to combat slightly but now it’s evolved to a green algae which, is even worse and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Any suggestions?! It’s really making my tank ugly and I’m fearful it isn’t good for my fish either. I had a ton of turbo snails and bumblebee snails which, produced tons of babies & they’ve all seemed to die off (I think my fish might be eating them also). All and any suggestions would be very helpful, thank you! I will be posting pictures before/after a 10 day water change.

130A9358-5233-4BE2-9837-BA0A8C7344B5.jpeg 3B3CE317-FD88-4DEA-A6FC-07CC82082781.jpeg 6B3C73DA-2935-4ED7-9F4C-C5DB4196CD59.jpeg 3EC63CCD-714D-40F5-8B6A-4242B5631032.jpeg 05F1886C-044B-4B4F-B1C0-0300E10D1FEC.jpeg D728ABC1-F271-4D65-91CC-1D291E567D4F.jpeg D144482B-E3E2-4C4D-AD94-1FB6530B1849.jpeg 7FD06F9B-2D87-4D37-80C1-BB454416F285.jpeg 733A1848-3B3C-4EC0-BFE1-71FEE282B653.jpeg DCDEA2AB-F8F2-41BC-A937-01915EDA0211.jpeg
 

Fish Think Pink

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So, I have had this tank for about 2 years now and have had several hiccups from beginner mistakes all of which, I’ve been able to get rid of until this one and the employees at my local fish store don’t seem to be giving me the correct answer because nothing is working. I conduct a 25% water change every 10 days (cleaning the glass, using a vacuum for the live sand, picking out dead shells from snails & such, etc). I cannot seem to get rid of this horrible algae! It stated off as a red algae which, I was able to combat slightly but now it’s evolved to a green algae which, is even worse and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Any suggestions?! It’s really making my tank ugly and I’m fearful it isn’t good for my fish either. I had a ton of turbo snails and bumblebee snails which, produced tons of babies & they’ve all seemed to die off (I think my fish might be eating them also). All and any suggestions would be very helpful, thank you! I will be posting pictures before/after a 10 day water change.

130A9358-5233-4BE2-9837-BA0A8C7344B5.jpeg 3B3CE317-FD88-4DEA-A6FC-07CC82082781.jpeg 6B3C73DA-2935-4ED7-9F4C-C5DB4196CD59.jpeg 3EC63CCD-714D-40F5-8B6A-4242B5631032.jpeg 05F1886C-044B-4B4F-B1C0-0300E10D1FEC.jpeg D728ABC1-F271-4D65-91CC-1D291E567D4F.jpeg D144482B-E3E2-4C4D-AD94-1FB6530B1849.jpeg 7FD06F9B-2D87-4D37-80C1-BB454416F285.jpeg 733A1848-3B3C-4EC0-BFE1-71FEE282B653.jpeg DCDEA2AB-F8F2-41BC-A937-01915EDA0211.jpeg
First, do you know root cause of algae overgrowth? Phosphates, total dissolved solids in RO water used to make saltwater, over feeding??

Do you use refugium with macro algae? That can redirect the nutrients to "better" algae than the overgrowth algae.

IMO use thin like airline tube hose and suck algae off rocks alternating your water changes between rock and sand sucking. Some will say take rocks out and scrub then rinse with RO (not tap!) & return. Do more but small water changes... my approach. Use Vibrant. I'm 2+ months in with Vibrant, but stopped and ugly algae bounced back so I'm back to dosing Vibrant after each weekly (or more often) 10% water change.

BSR video on Vibrant:

I've also dosed coralline pink & purple algaes trying to outcompete ugly algae, but so far only spots it shows up is sump:

If you don't have refugium with macroalgae and are going to dose Vibrant, start it AFTER getting algae under control and stopping Vibrant. Vibrant wiped out my macroalgaes. Some say save you macroalgae somewhere while Vibrant underway... yeah, save macroalgae WITH the nuisance algae so good & bad ALL comes back when returned to sump - little scraps that were left just went in trash.
 

Jorgehiram

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Dose Microbacter 7, and get a properly sized UV, it will take a few months but it will be gone naturally.

 
OP
OP
D

Dannylemp

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First, do you know root cause of algae overgrowth? Phosphates, total dissolved solids in RO water used to make saltwater, over feeding??

Do you use refugium with macro algae? That can redirect the nutrients to "better" algae than the overgrowth algae.

IMO use thin like airline tube hose and suck algae off rocks alternating your water changes between rock and sand sucking. Some will say take rocks out and scrub then rinse with RO (not tap!) & return. Do more but small water changes... my approach. Use Vibrant. I'm 2+ months in with Vibrant, but stopped and ugly algae bounced back so I'm back to dosing Vibrant after each weekly (or more often) 10% water change.

BSR video on Vibrant:

I've also dosed coralline pink & purple algaes trying to outcompete ugly algae, but so far only spots it shows up is sump:

If you don't have refugium with macroalgae and are going to dose Vibrant, start it AFTER getting algae under control and stopping Vibrant. Vibrant wiped out my macroalgaes. Some say save you macroalgae somewhere while Vibrant underway... yeah, save macroalgae WITH the nuisance algae so good & bad ALL comes back when returned to sump - little scraps that were left just went in trash.

I appreciate the in-depth reply and am trying my best to understand but what I got was .... start the vibrant and after it’s got the algae under control then start dosing macro algae, is that correct? Also, I’m not sure what the root of the algae is... I keep the salt anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025 and I currently upgraded my light source to a fluval smart light 3000-25000k and it’s running from 7AM to 9AM but the blue light runs for the last 4 hours.
 

Fish Think Pink

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I appreciate the in-depth reply and am trying my best to understand but what I got was .... start the vibrant and after it’s got the algae under control then start dosing macro algae, is that correct? Also, I’m not sure what the root of the algae is... I keep the salt anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025 and I currently upgraded my light source to a fluval smart light 3000-25000k and it’s running from 7AM to 9AM but the blue light runs for the last 4 hours.
Yes 1) start Vibrant using 'dirty' tank bottle directions (more), 2) nuisance algae gone, 3) stop/drastically reduce Vibrant ('clean' tank directions on bottle = use less), 4) wait 2 weeks for Vibrant to clear system, 5) add macroalgae ... it should grow from there and not need dosing/add more macroalgae

Algae growth is tied to feeding algae. Light, nitrates, phosphates... If any light reaches your tank, yep light. If you don't have nitrate or phosphate tester, get one. If you get the Hanna Ultra Low Phosphorus tester (like many & me, but there are other options out there), note Hanna UL tester is *Phosphorus* so you multiply by 3 then divide by 1000 to go from phosphorus to phosphates. Some people get shocked their phosphates are really three times higher than they thought (that was me, but now I know)
 

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So, I have had this tank for about 2 years now and have had several hiccups from beginner mistakes all of which, I’ve been able to get rid of until this one and the employees at my local fish store don’t seem to be giving me the correct answer because nothing is working. I conduct a 25% water change every 10 days (cleaning the glass, using a vacuum for the live sand, picking out dead shells from snails & such, etc). I cannot seem to get rid of this horrible algae! It stated off as a red algae which, I was able to combat slightly but now it’s evolved to a green algae which, is even worse and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Any suggestions?! It’s really making my tank ugly and I’m fearful it isn’t good for my fish either. I had a ton of turbo snails and bumblebee snails which, produced tons of babies & they’ve all seemed to die off (I think my fish might be eating them also). All and any suggestions would be very helpful, thank you! I will be posting pictures before/after a 10 day water change.

130A9358-5233-4BE2-9837-BA0A8C7344B5.jpeg 3B3CE317-FD88-4DEA-A6FC-07CC82082781.jpeg 6B3C73DA-2935-4ED7-9F4C-C5DB4196CD59.jpeg 3EC63CCD-714D-40F5-8B6A-4242B5631032.jpeg 05F1886C-044B-4B4F-B1C0-0300E10D1FEC.jpeg D728ABC1-F271-4D65-91CC-1D291E567D4F.jpeg D144482B-E3E2-4C4D-AD94-1FB6530B1849.jpeg 7FD06F9B-2D87-4D37-80C1-BB454416F285.jpeg 733A1848-3B3C-4EC0-BFE1-71FEE282B653.jpeg DCDEA2AB-F8F2-41BC-A937-01915EDA0211.jpeg
First, there is not any flow in that tank that I can see. I don’t see any power heads to move the water around. I would guess that if you picked up a handful of sand from your tank and drop it, you would see a cloud of dust in your tank. If that is the case, then I would suggest looking at the “sand rinse thread” by @brandon429. I would bet that either your nutrients are very high, or the algae is feeding off of organic waste that we don’t test for.

I do think that Vibrant is a great product, however, I think it may be a band aid for your situation. Cleaning the sand and adding more flow will help remove these organics and remove the food source for the algae.
 

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couple of idea to get rid of you Rebel Scum.
1. Looks like a Freshwater setup, so Freshwater Light. turn off the light and (if freshwater) send it to the trash compactor.
2. NO3 & PO4, what are they and keep track (low not zero), more of long term advice than try this, but give you idea why it's bad.
3. reach in, pull out as much as you can. Blackout 3 days. Pull out that you find dead and big (50%) water change. (reduce fuel)
4. What are filling your tank with? Tap water, from the store, RODI?
5. Fluconizol and burn it out. then do with the bacteria treatment.
 

Scott Ulrich

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couple of idea to get rid of you Rebel Scum.
1. Looks like a Freshwater setup, so Freshwater Light. turn off the light and (if freshwater) send it to the trash compactor.
2. NO3 & PO4, what are they and keep track (low not zero), more of long term advice than try this, but give you idea why it's bad.
3. reach in, pull out as much as you can. Blackout 3 days. Pull out that you find dead and big (50%) water change. (reduce fuel)
4. What are filling your tank with? Tap water, from the store, RODI?
5. Fluconizol and burn it out. then do with the bacteria treatment.

I hope it's not freshwater, there's a clown fish in there :D
 

dhnguyen

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Um that's not algae but green cyanobacteria.
You didn't mention what your method of nutrient export is.

My initial suggestion would be to get rid of the bio wheel filter and get yourself a protein skimmer.
Also are you using RO/DI water and not tap. Do some water changes.
 

MaxTremors

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First, there is not any flow in that tank that I can see. I don’t see any power heads to move the water around. I would guess that if you picked up a handful of sand from your tank and drop it, you would see a cloud of dust in your tank. If that is the case, then I would suggest looking at the “sand rinse thread” by @brandon429. I would bet that either your nutrients are very high, or the algae is feeding off of organic waste that we don’t test for.

I do think that Vibrant is a great product, however, I think it may be a band aid for your situation. Cleaning the sand and adding more flow will help remove these organics and remove the food source for the algae.
I second all of this. This looks mainly like a lack of flow problem which is leading to detritus and nutrient build up in the sand. You can use the Vibrant, but it’s more of a bandaid than a cure for the problem. I would start by adding a powerhead/wave maker on each side of the tank (on opposite sides, on one side one in the front and on the other side one in the back), put them as low to the sand as you can without them blowing the sand around (you can move them up a little for better gas exchange once you’ve got this problem solved).

The other unanswered question is what kind of water are you using for water changes and top-offs? If it’s tap water, stop. Get an RO/DI filter or buy RO/DI water from an LFS or distilled water from a grocery store. If you’re not testing for nitrates and phosphates, start (but avoid API tests).

Other than the flow, the water you’re using, testing, and maybe using Vibrant, it’s hard to give you a definitive plan of attack without more info.
 

mdb_talon

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A lot of talk about vibrant, but from everything i hear it really does a poor job against cyano...which is what it appears you have. It is not an algae and while some possible causes may be the same or similar i think you should approach it as a cyano problem not an algae problem.

As other have mentioned good flow would likely go a long way in helping this. Blackouts can help. Chemical treatments can help(though that sometimes has other side effects that would not be my first choice.

You say light are on from 7 am to 9am with last 4 hours just the blue so i assume you meant 9pm. I would recommend no more than 6 hour photoperiod until you get this under control. Then when then under control extend to maybe 10 or 12 hours max
 

dedragon

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I appreciate the in-depth reply and am trying my best to understand but what I got was .... start the vibrant and after it’s got the algae under control then start dosing macro algae, is that correct? Also, I’m not sure what the root of the algae is... I keep the salt anywhere from 1.023 to 1.025 and I currently upgraded my light source to a fluval smart light 3000-25000k and it’s running from 7AM to 9AM but the blue light runs for the last 4 hours.
Fluval smart light is pretty crap, might as well get a reefbrite strip or orphek or3 bar for better color and par.
couple of idea to get rid of you Rebel Scum.
1. Looks like a Freshwater setup, so Freshwater Light. turn off the light and (if freshwater) send it to the trash compactor.
2. NO3 & PO4, what are they and keep track (low not zero), more of long term advice than try this, but give you idea why it's bad.
3. reach in, pull out as much as you can. Blackout 3 days. Pull out that you find dead and big (50%) water change. (reduce fuel)
4. What are filling your tank with? Tap water, from the store, RODI?
5. Fluconizol and burn it out. then do with the bacteria treatment.
what storm trooper said exactly.
 

Uncle99

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I would start by testing your water and posting those findings.
Pest algae’s and Cyano may result from unstable and/or incorrect parameters.
Dosing anything without correcting the cause will just result in more down the road.
Use chemicals as a “reset” once the cause is corrected.
 

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