Green algae

[SFish]

What's the best way to get rid of this stuff? I seem to have a green and brown algae out break going on. I have two snails but they can't keep up.

[hijinks]

What size tank? How old is the tank? What are you water readings? What filtration?

[SFish]

It's a 55 gal. It's got a hang on filter right now with live rock and crushed coral. I changed the pads about two weeks ago. Tank age I'm not sure of because it was given to me but I know the fish have been in it 7+ years.

Ph=8.0 a little low
NH3=0
NO3=12.5
Ca2=380
Temp=75
SG=1.0215

I've been bring the ph up when I do water changes and the Ca.

[SFish]

Must have scared him away

[mcgyvr]

Are you using tap water? I bet so.. and thats likely the cause..
do you have a "phosphate" measurement?
2 snails isn't nearly enough.. more like 100..
Here is a "typical" clean up crew for a 55G tank
http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=245&category_id=20&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

and I assume thats a salinity typo.. Should be 1.025

also what are you using for lights?
how long do you run them?
are the bulbs old/new/old..how old?

[SFish]

I'm using DI/RO water. The SG is between 1.021 and 1.022. I don't have a I have phosphate test. I'm using T5 lights. The blue turns on at 7am then the white at 9am. The blue and white run together till 5pm then the white turns off and the blue runs till 7pm. Last the moon lights coms on and I have them shut off at 11pm. I don't have any corals yet so I figured why run them all night. The blue lights are new. The rest I have no idea how old they are.

Day light = 10,000K
Actinic Blue

[jgalen0025]

crushed coral is a detritus trap and nitrate factory

[SFish]

I plan on taking it out. The tank was given to me. I didn't set it up.

[BlindZide]

Try cutting down the time your lights are on until you can control whats causing the outbreak OR add more CUC to keep up. Less light is less food for the algae and should help control it to a minimum. Also, if your bulbs are old, they spectrums will be off and actually encourage algae growth. I would look at replacing them ASAP.

[CoralReeForrest]

Would recommend first a real CUC. Go to reefcleaners.com secondly since you don't know how old the bulbs are its best to start fresh go buy some new ones. Secondly for the CUC since shipping isn't super safe right now for live animals go to petco and buy at least a few more snails and maybe some blue legged hermits.