JMCollins24 Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Lately I've been having to clean my glass from green algae about everyday... I'm not sure what's causing this since my water parameters seems to be good... My nitrates were a little higher (around 10 ppm), but with a water change- I've been able to bring them down to around 5ppm. Is this just a phase with a newer tank that it will grow out of? pH- 8.0 Alk- 9 dKH Ammonia/ Nitrites- 0 nitrates- 5 ppm Calcium 480 Quote Link to comment
patback Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 It will happen pretty much no matter how old your tank is. Remember, algae thrives on light and nutrients, if you only have 5 nitrates and 0 phosphates, your algae could be eating up 5 more pp Nitrates and depleting all your phosphates. Just enough to survive. Quote Link to comment
JMCollins24 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 It will happen pretty much no matter how old your tank is. Remember, algae thrives on light and nutrients, if you only have 5 nitrates and 0 phosphates, your algae could be eating up 5 more pp Nitrates and depleting all your phosphates. Just enough to survive. Yeah, i've read some good things about the green algae on the glass- most cases they say it's a good thing if it doesn't get out of control... I just wonder what causes it and if it's my nitrates- I would love to get them as close to 0 as possible.. any suggestions? In my ac70 (that I would love to mod into a fuge eventually) I have the foam, carbon and biomax stuff... I've been running them for about a week to polish my water up a little... Quote Link to comment
Lawnman Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Algae grows on glass green purple pink. Scrape it off and enjoy the view. Quote Link to comment
asting Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Chaeto will definitely help. You could try an algae scrubber too, but I'd start with the cheato. Alternatively, your best bet is to clean your glass and not worry about it. Also, what's your CuC like? Quote Link to comment
JMCollins24 Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Chaeto will definitely help. You could try an algae scrubber too, but I'd start with the cheato. Alternatively, your best bet is to clean your glass and not worry about it. Also, what's your CuC like? yeah, I'm cleaning it daily with a mag cleaner and I would love to mod my ac70 when i get some more time and the intank light... that said, my CUC consists of about 7 snails- mostly astrea snails and about 7 hermits and 1 emerald crab... I keep wanting to add a fighting conch to help clear up the sand, but I haven't really been able to find one locally... would growing the chaeto in my DT be such a bad thing if I grow it behind the rocks? Quote Link to comment
siliconflux Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) yeah, I'm cleaning it daily with a mag cleaner and I would love to mod my ac70 when i get some more time and the intank light... that said, my CUC consists of about 7 snails- mostly astrea snails and about 7 hermits and 1 emerald crab... I keep wanting to add a fighting conch to help clear up the sand, but I haven't really been able to find one locally... would growing the chaeto in my DT be such a bad thing if I grow it behind the rocks? A small amount of algae is fine. However, if it is getting out of control, I would recommend increasing your water flow and cutting back on the hours you are lighting up your tank. Heavy lighting can cause this even with great water quality. Have you stocked your tank with any fish yet? Edited February 8, 2012 by siliconflux Quote Link to comment
brandon429 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Google Mr clean magic eraser to clean the reef tank, pretty amazing stuff w didn't know a month ago Quote Link to comment
Salt Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Google Mr clean magic eraser to clean the reef tank, pretty amazing stuff w didn't know a month ago Do you use the Magic Eraser inside the tank. When I've used it to clean around the house, it leaves a slightly white residue, so I was wondering if that could be harmful. Otherwise you're right-it removes EVERYTHING. Like MAGIC!! Quote Link to comment
brandon429 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) I personally haven't done it but there is a thread on here from 2009 about it being used inside it just sounded neat to show strange methods people use! Edited February 8, 2012 by brandon429 Quote Link to comment
JMCollins24 Posted February 8, 2012 Author Share Posted February 8, 2012 A small amount of algae is fine. However, if it is getting out of control, I would recommend increasing your water flow and cutting back on the hours you are lighting up your tank. Heavy lighting can cause this even with great water quality. Have you stocked your tank with any fish yet? Yes, I have two clowns... Since I've done a water change, it seems that the nitrates have gotten better and the algae has started to subside a little from the glass... Quote Link to comment
mrbigshot Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 green dust algae use magfloat and just whipe it everyday. happens some times. gfo or a ton of snails to keep it away. usually phosphates are the culprit. usually neon green, not good algae. green encrusting (hard) algea that doesnt wipe off with your finger maybe coraline and thats good. Quote Link to comment
Dendroguy Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I have had the exact same thing you had,so bad I had to throw away that tank,,but cheato saved the day,now my new tank is crystal Quote Link to comment
nhart608 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 How long do you have your lights on during the day? I found cutting my lighting back from 10 hours/day to 9/day really cut down on the "glass algae". Quote Link to comment
Bova Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 What is this cheato that you speak of? I've had to clean my glass everyday, this algae grows quickly! Quote Link to comment
thetonyage Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) 42 minutes ago, Bova said: What is this cheato that you speak of? I've had to clean my glass everyday, this algae grows quickly! It's a macro algae that you can grow in your tank/sump/fuge that will eat up nitrates and phosphates. As it grows you cut pieces of it off and throw it away. It's a very effective method of nutrient export if you have the space to cultivate some. Edited March 3, 2019 by thetonyage "nutrients" = Phosphates and Nitrates Quote Link to comment
Naekuh Posted March 4, 2019 Share Posted March 4, 2019 13 hours ago, Bova said: What is this cheato that you speak of? I've had to clean my glass everyday, this algae grows quickly! https://aquariumdepot.com/chaetomorpha-aka-chaeto-chaetomorpha-spiralis-small/ typically people shove it in there refrigium. If you dont have one, you can also use a soap dish like this and stuff it in there: https://www.amazon.com/Bath-Bliss-Soap-Dish-Clear/dp/B004W7XFPE/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?keywords=soap+dish+clear+suction+cup&qid=1551678469&s=gateway&sr=8-12 They are good nutrient exporters, and out compete green algae. They are also very good phosphate reducers. Quote Link to comment
Tang101 Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I have a few snails and they are leaving white sort of footprints on the glass and are nearly impossible to get off are they eggs? Quote Link to comment
michaelbog Posted February 21, 2021 Share Posted February 21, 2021 On 2/7/2012 at 10:35 AM, Lawnman said: Algae grows on glass green purple pink. Scrape it off and enjoy the view. Agreed. I love when I clean the glass and it’s crystal clear. Quote Link to comment
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