Algae all over my tank!

[rort]

So i need some help with what looks like to me an algae outbreak all over my tank. Yesturday the tank was crystal clear, and the rocks looked fine, and today after getting back from lunch I see my tank covered with a red/orange algae all over the rocks and starting on the sand.

any ideas what this is and how to get rid of it?

here is the info!

150g with 40g sump

pH 8.3
Amm. 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10

SG 1.020

Stock list

- 2 Firefish
- 2 clown percs
- foxface
- midas blenny
- Small Porc Puffer

- small cleaning crew of Cleaner shrimp, pep shrimp, some turbos, nassarius, and hermits

here are some pics... Lowest ones are ones of the sump! That is where I believe it started.


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/allaboutthetuba9/IMG_0502.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/allaboutthetuba9/IMG_0503.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/allaboutthetuba9/IMG_0504.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/allaboutthetuba9/IMG_0505.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/allaboutthetuba9/IMG_0506.jpg

[kfisc]

Can you say when you last did a water change? What kind of lights- how old are they, any recent changes?

Also, what kind of test kit are you using to measure nitrate? Do you measure calcium and alkalinity?

[rort]

I did a water change Tuesday.

I use api test kit.

I am using a sunlight supply tek 6x54w t5. These lights have been on my tank for about a week. I was told the lights were about 6 months old. The color looks fine on them.2 acctinic a 4 10k.

The sump is under a 24w flood light and that is where I saw this algae first.

How could it spread this fast?

[BeesGoneWild]

Looks like a diatom outbreak from something, anything die in your tank rececntly? Check out this link there may be something in there to help you.
http://www.brettsreef.com/index.php/tips-on-battling-nuisance-algae-in-the-marine-aquarium/

[skimmerman100]

i had the same problem do a water change and add some more snails and hermits thats what helped me

[skimmerman100]

did you make any of your LR? that also can cause diatom out breaks

[rort]

all my LR was purchased cured. I didn't make any of it.

I will try a water change soon and plan on getting a much larger cleaning crew asap!

[VacavilleFC3S]

yup diatoms.how long has it been up and running for?

[rort]

about 2 months. If it is diatoms, what is the best way to get rid of it?

[knight03]

time

[sps1-2-b]

clean up crew (snails and such)

[eddnyster]

Get yourself a sea urchin. They clean EVERYTHING! Yes...including your coralline algae. I personally like it because my coralline is reaching nuisance levels and the urchins keep it at bay.

They leave the rock nice and WHITE!!!

[NaClH20reeffish]

diatoms.

[rort]

Thanks for your help! I kinda got scared when I came home to all of that! I was deff not expecting it!

[Capt56]

It's just going through the process of a newly set up tank. Give it time and do minor water changes. Keep the nitrates down as much as possible. Make sure you use RO instead of tap water. Pretty sound you should start seeing purple coraline algae grow.