Algae invasion.. uh oh

[tmfreak]

They're everywhere.. every surface you can possibly imagine. I have some weird algae thats growing on everything. It comes off easily when I rub it off but I'm not sure what the problem is. Its growing on the sand and rocks. I just did a 10% water change in my tank. Ill get some pictures up tommorow. I can see little bubbles coming to the surface from this algae and I can also spot air pockets in my sand substrate. Do you guys think its a phosphate problem? This is a fairly new tank thats been cycling for about 2 weeks now. Thanks for your help

[bearpeidog]

Sounds like cyno algea. You'll have the when your tank is cycling. What color is it?

[tmfreak]

greenish in color

[tmfreak]

light green actually..

[Paliya]

I just got a sea hare from my LFS. He immediately went to work on the algea in my tank. He even ate the red slimy algea that the shop owner 'wasn't sure' that he would eat. It's amazing to watch this critter work. He's even eating brown algea off of the sand bed.

The problem with sea hares is that they can do such a good job that the algea will decline so much that the sea hare could starve to death. I also think that they have the ability to release toxins... I'm going to bring him back to the LFS when the algea is gone (probably in like 2 days). Anyway, research these guys and see if it could help you out. Reefclubs sometimes have community sea hares that their members can share.

later
-P

[tmfreak]

alright, Thanks for the info!

[tmfreak]

pictures of algae

http://i12.*******.com/2vjqwyr.jpg

http://i12.*******.com/4fxzr55.jpg

I dont know if you can see the green stuff but it grows fast.. I cleaned it and it grew back in a day...

[jeffltodd]

Looks pretty normal for a new tank.

[tmfreak]

Alright, How long will it take the whole process to clear up?

[demonsp]

Yea dont looke to bad . But i must ask how long do you leave your light on and what type of light is it ?

[tmfreak]

i leave it on for about 12 hours..

It is a 40watt compact at 6500k

I think the duration which I leave it at is more than substantial.. I turn it on when I wake up for school (around 6 am) and turn it off around 6 or 7pm when i get back from swimteam practice

[demonsp]

YEa if this is a newer tank then back off on lighting. A few hours at a time and add more time weekly untill cycled. this will help control algea out break . You can also mix up the sand to prevent dead spots untill cleanup crew arrives. BUT ONLY MIX SMALL AREAS AT A TIME. GL :)

[Radioheed]

uhh isn't that just diatoms?

[demonsp]

Wow also i see the tank is low, i dont see skimmer and no power heads runnning. Mb old pic but these things should already be runnning to help cycle.

[tmfreak]

yes sorry, I was doing a partial water change and took out the filter to clean the pad off of algae i scrubbed off, I am also adding overflows and such to it and need the water to be low in order for me to silicone it on easier

[demonsp]

Cool , just get that skimmer in here asap . But really your tank dont look to bad. Mb some more live rock . Im not sure what you will be stocking but alot a fish like a spot to hide a night. Mb more cravasives and caves and a good shelf would be good . gl

[twinturbos52]

would sea horses eat hair algae? would they get eaten by other fish?

sorry Im a noob. and I have a hair algae problem

[demonsp]

sea horses dont like any flow and need to be housed alone from what i here not reef safe.

[Markerum]

I was about to post the exact question. I am cycling the tank (2nd week) and have the same looking algea springing up. I have only got the lights on for about 4 hours, 2 actanic, 2 10000k, and the moonlights. Where the spots of the moonlights hit the rock I have algea. I leave the moonlights on all night? is this to long? Will the clean up crew take care of the algea?

[demonsp]

Well 4 hours in new tank little long start with 2 then move it up. You want to see algea growth cause this is normal. You just want to control it by light and your skimmer and flow via power heads. This combo will reduce amount untill cycled. Yes cleanup crew whene ready will help. If sand bed gets real bad then you may mix small i say small areas daily to prevent dead spots.Use all your filtration during cycle only keep light levels light to help algea outbreak. Aslo GOOD RO WATER is a must to prevent bad algea growth and other problems.

[tmfreak]

alright, ill trim down the light a little bit and get my filters back in

[Mavvy]

My sea hare seems to like to hide. Yours?

[picklepot]

I think those are diatoms too...I wouldn't worry too much with a new tank...good luck

[tmfreak]

ok cool, ill wait for a little then I guess