Newbie tank question on algae

[COCOBBALL]

Ive had my tank up for close to 4 months now and what i believe to be algae is spreading on the rocks and my frag holders.

I just wanted to verify is this algae?

Is it ok, or is there something i should be doing proactively?

My first instinct was to remove the covered rock and clean, possibly increase my cleaning crew?

Thanks
Cory

 

[JasonK84]

You might try posting in the algae forum. Is something going on in your tank other than the algae that is making this a tank emergency?

Looks to me like algae. Does it easily rub or scrape off? Is it slimy?

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Without knowing your parameters here a few algae fighting suggestions.
1) lighting intensity and schedule
2) nutrient import (overfeeding tank?)
3) nutrient export (skimmer, macro algae, etc)
4) what size tank is this? Do you have a refugium, sump, etc? What do you have for livestock and how quickly did you load your tank?

checking these off the list and making sure your phosphates aren’t running rampant will help you get through this. I think you are entering what I call the ugly phase of a tank, this is where everything comes together in your ecosystem. I would just check your parameters and clean off what you can without disrupting your newly established bio-filter.

 

[COCOBBALL]

Without knowing your parameters here a few algae fighting suggestions.
1) lighting intensity and schedule
2) nutrient import (overfeeding tank?)
3) nutrient export (skimmer, macro algae, etc)
4) what size tank is this? Do you have a refugium, sump, etc? What do you have for livestock and how quickly did you load your tank?

checking these off the list and making sure your phosphates aren’t running rampant will help you get through this. I think you are entering what I call the ugly phase of a tank, this is where everything comes together in your ecosystem. I would just check your parameters and clean off what you can without disrupting your newly established bio-filter.

Thanks for the quick reply!

I tested parameters a couple days ago and they were within range. My PH was 8 calcium 380 and salinity 1.025. Ill test again today to see if any changes.

Here is what im doing maybe u can spot a mistake.

1) i run my black box lights blue light 9am-8pm 70% , then i turn on 20% white from 11am-3pm

2) i was feeding coral frenzy every other day until about a week ago when i was told it was to much. Have since cut back to 2x a week.

I feed my fish every other day with frozen brine shrimp

3)export- i have a homemade skimmer(small but works) and im changing my filters (100 micron filter cloth)on sump every 3-5 days

4) its a 40g breeder with a 25g sump.i only have 10-12 small frags, 2 clown fish, 2 snails, 5 blue legged crab


Thanks
Cory

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I would decrease the total of lighting to about 7 hours for now, also the algae growth could very well be from overfeeding weeks ago because it is a cumulative effect.

My reef has Mars Aqua black boxes that have 7 hours of lighting total then 1 1/2 hours of moonlight. 12-1 blue light only, 1-6pm both blue/white lights, 6-7 blues lights, 7-8:30 pm moonlight. This tank is very mature though but you’ll get there.

What were your phosphates at?

 

[COCOBBALL]

I would decrease the total of lighting to about 7 hours for now, also the algae growth could very well be from overfeeding weeks ago because it is a cumulative effect.

My reef has Mars Aqua black boxes that have 7 hours of lighting total then 1 1/2 hours of moonlight. 12-1 blue light only, 1-6pm both blue/white lights, 6-7 blues lights, 7-8:30 pm moonlight. This tank is very mature though but you’ll get there.

What were your phosphates at?

Ok i will adjust lighting schedule and see if it helps.

My phosphate is showing 0

 

[count krunk]

part of the normal path reef tanks take. don't worry about it.

I would beef up with CUC with some good algae snails. but everyone looks fine.