Oneslowsaleen Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 So with in a 3 day span my tank had got a lot of brown algae with a little green algae . So I did a few things a 12% or so water change, I do water changes every Sunday of about 12%. I also changed the filter floss which was a little over due. There is no current fish , there is a pistol shrimp that I feed mysis shrimp so bio load is small. There is a few corals in the tank and open up fully when lights are on. use IO reef crystals for salt with RO water from LFS. I tested all my parameters Temp-80 Ph 8.2 Alk- 12 Nitrate-15 Nitrite-0.05( usually zero) Ammonia-0 Calcium-470 ppm Magnesium-1400 ppm Phosphate-0 What's causing my brown Algae? Silicates ? Link to comment
mystersyster Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 That nitrate is kinda high. Something to consider... Link to comment
ajmckay Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 So unfortunately no marine tank is completely free from algae... While nutrient management and filtration are important, it's also important to make provisions to deal with some algae all the time. Usually this is a clean up crew. If your maintenance routine is consistent and you haven't changed the nutrients going into the tank then it may be time to add a few snails or hermits or what have you. On the other hand if you've recently started feeding more or you've changed (or delayed) your maintenance routine then that could be your issue. Just keep an eye on it so that it doesn't grow out of hand. Link to comment
Oneslowsaleen Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 So unfortunately no marine tank is completely free from algae... While nutrient management and filtration are important, it's also important to make provisions to deal with some algae all the time. Usually this is a clean up crew. If your maintenance routine is consistent and you haven't changed the nutrients going into the tank then it may be time to add a few snails or hermits or what have you. On the other hand if you've recently started feeding more or you've changed (or delayed) your maintenance routine then that could be your issue. Just keep an eye on it so that it doesn't grow out of hand. I haven't changed my maintenance routine , the only thing I changed is feeding a few mysis shrimp for pistol shrimp and coral frenzy less than 1/8th teaspoon about every 3-4 days . I know there will be algae this was just out of control. As far as CUC I have 5. Snails, 5 blue legged hermets , and a lettuce nudibranch (29 gallon BC). Should I add to my CUC? That nitrate is kinda high. Something to consider... What can I do to get my Nitrate down? I'm starting a fuge this week I figured that should help. Link to comment
najluni15 Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 How long has the tank been up and running? If it is new it is normal for diatome blooms to occur for the first few months. This is the brown or rust colored algae that usually covers glass and sand (or at least thats where it is most visible). Adding to your cuc could help a lot. I highly recommend ordering from reef cleaners as you will get the most bang for your buck of high quality snails and crabs. He has 30 gallon crews already made that you can order. Water changes and cutting get down of feeding are the best way to reduce nitrates. Or adding a refugium like you mentioned with macro algae such as chaeto Link to comment
Oneslowsaleen Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 Tank is a little over 5 weeks old . I'm going check out reef cleaners to upgrade my CUC. Link to comment
mystersyster Posted October 12, 2015 Share Posted October 12, 2015 What can I do to get my Nitrate down? I'm starting a fuge this week I figured that should help. It could help yes. You're already doing water changes which is good to keep them down. Make sure your flow is good too, try to mitigate any deadspots. And since you feed your shrimp frozen, if you aren't already strain the frozen food. I do this in a net with tap water then give it a quick rinse with rodi. This will save you from adding all those nutrients from the frozen cubes ice. Link to comment
Oneslowsaleen Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 I'm not using frozen , it comes in a little bottle that's refrigerated. How ever I have frozen mysis, clams, blood worms that I'm going thaw out rinse them with rodi, than make my own mini cubes with rodi. How ever that's not going be till there is fish in my tank. As far as flow I'm using the stock 265 gph return pump, and mp10 which my lettuce nudibranch keeps getting stuck to . Link to comment
najluni15 Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Looks like you have plenty of flow. But the tank is only 5 weeks old. I hope that is 5 weeks after the cycle. You should limit the feedings that early on and keep up with water changes. Your tank is still super youNg and will take a few months to stabilize. You will get algae spikes now and again but they will go away with time Link to comment
Oneslowsaleen Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 So I took my water to LFS and they told me all my parameters are spot on , nitrates where slightly over 0. So maybe my test was off or I made an error. I do 3.5 gallon water changes on a 29 BC once a week . There isn't much in my tank but they all seem to be really healthy . I also made a toothbrush that I can use to clean my rocks , super excited about that . I added 4 snails/ hermits as well. I guess the brown algae is from the tank from being young, thanks for all the advice. Link to comment
Bingo1213 Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 You could also try adding urchins such as pincushions or tuxedo's. They are pretty good algae eaters and seem to hold up better in my tanks. Not to mention they look lots cooler than snails hahaha Link to comment
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