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Algae Problem


ackattackkk

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So my tank has been up and running for 3 months and I cant get the algae to go away. Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrates around 40. Fish are fine corals are great. The algae wont come off wit ha toothbrush I have to use a razor and under the impression that scraping it just seeds more.(Pic is with lights off and camera flash on)

IMG_0121.jpg

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Don't worry about it IMO, you'll hurt your tank trying to make it algae free. Perhaps you need to beef up the cleaning crew or increase your exports (water changes, skimming)? Algae is pretty standard for any tank under 6 months, sometimes a year. Your micro fauna really builds up in population during this time and some fo them, though quite small, actually help keep the tank and rocks clean.

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Do you know what kind of algae it is? It doesn't just brush off. It feels like it's part of the rock not slimey or anything. Just colored lol

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I have this I scrub it off by hand rubbing it

Mine doesnt brush off by hand or toothbrush. Literally have to use a razor to get it off.

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It's part of the maturation process. First the rocks will turn green brown, sometimes dark brown, then coraline will start to take over and turn the rocks lighter, purplish.

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It's part of the maturation process. First the rocks will turn green brown, sometimes dark brown, then coraline will start to take over and turn the rocks lighter, purplish.

wow your 150 is ridiculous :wub:

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i get that green algae on the areas under my lights. it just looks like it was painted on so i dont care as much. Just try waiting it out

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Mine doesnt brush off by hand or toothbrush. Literally have to use a razor to get it off.

 

With lights on...is it a bright green? If it's hard and not rubbing off....it's most likely the start of coraline....should have spots of purple forming on it.

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Nitrates at 40 is pushing it. Young tank or not, I would bring them down.

 

Is that a sally lightfoot crab?

I know!! how do I get them down besides water changes? Yes it is, is he bad?

 

 

With lights on...is it a bright green? If it's hard and not rubbing off....it's most likely the start of coraline....should have spots of purple forming on it.

 

 

Yes with white lights on its bright green. I see some purple spots but its not the deep dark purple like at my LFS lol

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I know!! how do I get them down besides water changes? Yes it is, is he bad?

 

 

 

 

 

Yes with white lights on its bright green. I see some purple spots but its not the deep dark purple like at my LFS lol

 

It's coraline.....you'll see more purple every day.

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I know!! how do I get them down besides water changes? Yes it is, is he bad?

 

 

 

 

Yes with white lights on its bright green. I see some purple spots but its not the deep dark purple like at my LFS lol

 

Better filtration, less food, proper stocking, going slow and allowing the tank to mature.

 

Yes, sally light foots... when they mature... sometimes attack/eat fish and corals.

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Better filtration, less food, proper stocking, going slow and allowing the tank to mature.

 

Yes, sally light foots... when they mature... sometimes attack/eat fish and corals.

I was thinking bumping up the aquaclear 110 I have a Marineland penguin 200. So should I take him out? he doesnt seem to bother anything right now. I think hes scared of everything anything that gets close to him he just runs and hides under a rock

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I was thinking bumping up the aquaclear 110 I have a Marineland penguin 200. So should I take him out? he doesnt seem to bother anything right now. I think hes scared of everything anything that gets close to him he just runs and hides under a rock

 

Up to you... you can keep an eye on him if you want. If he starts swinging at fish or small fish disappear or you notice damage to corals.. then definitely remove him. They are fairly harmless when small but can get bold as they age.

 

I wouldn't use a wheel filter. I would just stick with the aquaclear, what media do you use in it?

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Up to you... you can keep an eye on him if you want. If he starts swinging at fish or small fish disappear or you notice damage to corals.. then definitely remove him. They are fairly harmless when small but can get bold as they age.

 

I wouldn't use a wheel filter. I would just stick with the aquaclear, what media do you use in it?

Its just stock. took out the biowheel. Just added a bag of Seachem Purigen yesterday to hopefully help the nitrates. Im new dont know what else to do or dose or anything

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Its just stock. took out the biowheel. Just added a bag of Seachem Purigen yesterday to hopefully help the nitrates. Im new dont know what else to do or dose or anything

 

In that case it sounds like you could use a boost in filtration. I would just get some good media and upgrade the basket in the aqua-clear. At 29g your tank would also benefit from a skimmer.

 

Basket: http://shop.mediabaskets.com/AquaClear-110-Media-Basket-AC110MR.htm

 

Basket that fits some skimmers: http://shop.mediabaskets.com/AquaClear-110-Media-Basket-Fits-Skimmer-AC110MRX.htm

 

One of the best carbons, but you will need a fine media bag to hold it (pantyhose also works): http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html

 

You already have purigen.

 

For phosphate removal (if needed, I would add this last if you still have problems after other upgrades, it won't help nitrates, only phosphates): http://www.amazon.com/Seachem-116018609-PhosGuard-250ml/dp/B0002A5VWA/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1412799814&sr=1-4&keywords=phosguard

 

If you decide to some of these, or all. Add them slowly one at a time over a period as to not shock the system. You want to clean the water but you don't want to do it too fast. I often start with 1/3 the recommended amount and work my way up.

 

And... run filterfloss before any media to catch large particles so it doesn't clog the media: http://www.shop.mediabaskets.com/Value-Pack-Poly-Filter-Floss-3PACK.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjwwdOhBRCG0fPrlfO1gGUSJAC1FmHXSajk9quDcO-MyCt10PNP--jv7lbo7RUJpkZR9k8HZRoCtkrw_wcB

 

polyfil (pillow stuffing) also works, just be sure it doesn't say "mold resistant", ect. Some are treated with chemicals: http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Fil-Premium-Polyester-12-Ounce/dp/B000YZ7G44

 

Getting set up with good filtration is sort of a fair chunk of money but I only replace my media every 4 weeks so maintenance is relatively cheap as you only use a small amount so it lasts forever.

 

if you like plants, display macro algae is also beneficial and they come in many colors/shapes.

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In that case it sounds like you could use a boost in filtration. I would just get some good media and upgrade the basket in the aqua-clear. At 29g your tank would also benefit from a skimmer.

 

Basket: http://shop.mediabaskets.com/AquaClear-110-Media-Basket-AC110MR.htm

 

Basket that fits some skimmers: http://shop.mediabaskets.com/AquaClear-110-Media-Basket-Fits-Skimmer-AC110MRX.htm

 

One of the best carbons, but you will need a fine media bag to hold it (pantyhose also works): http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html

 

You already have purigen.

 

For phosphate removal (if needed, I would add this last if you still have problems after other upgrades, it won't help nitrates, only phosphates): http://www.amazon.com/Seachem-116018609-PhosGuard-250ml/dp/B0002A5VWA/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1412799814&sr=1-4&keywords=phosguard

 

If you decide to some of these, or all. Add them slowly one at a time over a period as to not shock the system. You want to clean the water but you don't want to do it too fast. I often start with 1/3 the recommended amount and work my way up.

 

And... run filterfloss before any media to catch large particles so it doesn't clog the media: http://www.shop.mediabaskets.com/Value-Pack-Poly-Filter-Floss-3PACK.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjwwdOhBRCG0fPrlfO1gGUSJAC1FmHXSajk9quDcO-MyCt10PNP--jv7lbo7RUJpkZR9k8HZRoCtkrw_wcB

 

polyfil (pillow stuffing) also works, just be sure it doesn't say "mold resistant", ect. Some are treated with chemicals: http://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Poly-Fil-Premium-Polyester-12-Ounce/dp/B000YZ7G44

 

Getting set up with good filtration is sort of a fair chunk of money but I only replace my media every 4 weeks so maintenance is relatively cheap as you only use a small amount so it lasts forever.

 

if you like plants, display macro algae is also beneficial and they come in many colors/shapes.

Yeah I was planning on doing the media basket and filter but didnt really want to spend 80 bucks on some plastic that i can prob diy for 20. and was also thinking about the Tunze 9002 for the filter

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