Algae Help what is it? How do i get rid of it?

[shormovas]

Title is self explanatory help me please!! It's so ugly and i need it out of my tank!

I have biocube 29 stock setup

Running filter floss, chemi pure elite, and purigen

No protien skimmer

Water parameters normal

10 hour light cycle

I've tried removing the rocks brushing this crap off with a toothbrush it always grows back now it's growing on the sand and it's starting to irritate me.

 

[ajmckay]

Looks like blue-green algae to me. How are your nutrients?

 

Do you dose anything or have a high bio-load?

Do you have a solid maintenance plan that you stick to?

Do you use a good quality water source?

 

I would siphon out the affected sand (can clean and re-introduce) and then take the rocks out and spot treat with hydrogen peroxide. Then I would make sure that my maintenance routine is good.

 

You could try reducing your photoperiod a bit to see if that has an effect but ultimately I would focus on getting rid of the algae you see and then making sure you stay on top of water changes and such using quality water.

 

Good luck.

[jimbonds]

Looks sort of like cyano bacteria. If you are having an algae problem, your NO3 and PO4 tests might give you a false 0ppm because the algae (or cyano) is sequestering the nutrients.

 

What is your water change schedule like? Do you use RO/DI water? Tap water can introduce phosphates into the water column.

 

I've found that the stock water flow in my BC29 is a little less than adequate and I get dead spots where cyano grows sometimes. Also, the chambers can collect detritus and when that happens nutrients are continuously leached back into the water. Take a look with a flashlight and see if you have stuff building up in the chambers. If you do, suck it out.

[shormovas]

Ive got 2 clowns, 1 firefish, and 1 sixline

To be honest ive never checked Phosphate levels i figured the chemi pure elite was doing its job

I use BRS 4 stage RODI with 0ppm readings

I use coral pro salt

And change out 5 gallons a week

With the hydrogen peroxide do I target treat in the tank or outside of the tank? ive used this method before on my freshwater tank inside of the tank but with salt i have numerous corals and i dont want to damage them.

I also turkey blast all the rocks and scrape the algae of the glass before every water change

[shormovas]

I want to get a protein skimmer because i hear it will help alot but this damn tank over heats like a mother in the summer and i dont want to risk the extra heat and would need to purchase a chiller which isnt cheap

[Cencalfishguy56]

I want to get a protein skimmer because i hear it will help alot but this damn tank over heats like a mother in the summer and i dont want to risk the extra heat and would need to purchase a chiller which isnt cheap

how old is this tank? How fast did you add all the fish?

[ajmckay]

Take the rocks out to treat with peroxide. I use a spray bottle. Spray them, wait a few minutes, then rinse off.

 

I forgot to ask - what's your CUC like? If this stuff is appearing it might be enough to add another snail or something simple like that.

 

It sounds like your on top of your maintenance so I'm guessing that this shouldn't persist too long.

 

When was the last time you replaced your bulbs? You said stock so do you have Compact fluorescent bulbs?

 

Finally - to alleviate your heat issues you could either run the tank topless or build in some ventilation. I know there are various guides/how-to's on making these tanks breathe better and stay cooler.