[wonderboy]

Hello there! I have a 55g tank with a 30g sump. 216w T-5s, and plent of algae to pass around. I really would like to know if theres a way to control it. I've had my tank up for under 3 months, algae was kinda bad at month two. Then I added more live rock and started my cycle over. Now the algae is crazy!!!

The guy at LFS said its just part of this wonderful algae cycle that starts with brown diatoms, The green slime(where im at) and then possibly hair. Is that true? Am I fretting for nothing? He said to keep doing RO/DI water changes, Which I have, And keep on truckin. Well its just painful to look at now and im getting a little desperate, ok a lot!!

Its getting so bad im wondering if i should consider giving up. Its all over the substrate and seems to grow by the hour!! Am I going to be ok? Is this just newbie syndrome? Does everyone go through this?

Nitrates 10ppm
Phosphates (dont remember level, not at home, but it was low)
ammonia 0
nitrites 0

[RyanG]

Nitrates are way to high...I am surprised your corals are still alive?
What salt are you using? I would turn off your lights for a few days.

What type of algae is it? If you don't know what it is, can you describe it for us?

wonderboy welcome to RB...fill out your profile too!

[wonderboy]

No corals yet, Still trying to get things under controll. Its green Slime algae and its insanely thick, Its grows in matts on the substrate. Will turning lights off really help? Cuz It seems to get even thicker at night. Does every tank go thru an algae bloom this bad? Will it go away if I keep doing RO/DI water changes? It got worse after the live rock was added, so will it go away after my tank adjusts to the new addition?

Thanks for your help!

[RyanG]

I would keep your lights off for a while, seems to late to be having a cycle process. What salt are you using? And you are using RODI?

[Tonz of fun]

I agree with Ryan, if you dont have any coral you dont need to be running lights. Turn it off for a few days and that will get rid of your algae but that is just a short term solution...Same question where are you getting your water. I know you said someone told you to do ro/di changes but are you? What kind of system. How long have you been running your lights? Is it next to a window?

Most hobbyist quit because it get expensive or they have overwhelming algae issue. Stick to it we are here for you...

[saltwaternubie]

Go to Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums and order you an Algea Attack Pack to fit the size of your tank, I had the same problem as you, I order one, put them in friday afternoon and today, there is not a strand, speck or hair of algae in my tank. They made quick work of most of my algae. The pack that I got had Mexican Turbo snails, red tipped hermits and red scarlett hermits. They are pretty reasonable in price also.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You are in the middle of your cycle......love your algea.....be one with it...and get a clean up crew like Michael said.

[wonderboy]

Ok im back. Im getting my water from a place called northside aquatics. I tested their RO/DI water and its great!! I mean really good stuff. But im fixin to get my own unit
Thats gonna be awesome!

And no, my tank isnt by a window. Its getting a whole lot better, Just got a hydor powerhead for free to Im running the lights for 6 hours A day.

Thanks for all the help. When should I start adding softies? And what do I add first?

[Jeremy0322]

When can i expect all of this to be happening to me. All of my levels just hit zero and I am going to turn the lights on in a few days.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by Jeremy0322

When can i expect all of this to be happening to me. All of my levels just hit zero and I am going to turn the lights on in a few days.

Nothing to worry about. Just something most new tanks go thru. Good skimmer and CUC you be doing GREAT!

Here is a heads up: When the same thing happens 6 mos to a year from now is when you need to worry.

[AndreaM]

I just went through this a few days ago myself and found a really simple solution. I just purchased a power compact and a few months of having it the green slime algae took over my rocks and sand and glass. I do have corals so was wondering about the light thing too. Now rught now I am still using my well water for the salt changes. I took and put on a small powered flourescent fixture and bulb about a 36" on my 125 gal right in the middle and I turn it on from 8am to 11am and then the power compact and literally within two days the green was all gone!! Including the glass and sand!! The smaller ligfht allows the good bacteria a chance to feed and take care of all of that !!! Hope this helps, my tank is back to sparkling clean!!

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

I agree with Ryan, if you dont have any coral you dont need to be running lights. Turn it off for a few days and that will get rid of your algae but that is just a short term solution...Same question where are you getting your water. I know you said someone told you to do ro/di changes but are you? What kind of system. How long have you been running your lights? Is it next to a window?

Most hobbyist quit because it get expensive or they have overwhelming algae issue. Stick to it we are here for you...

I agree with both, I have just had this problem. Luckly they told me how to nip it before it got too bad. Lights. My tank had been running from Jan. on, but I had a problem with the lights and being a 1st time E Bay user, Lights came late and they where pretty so I left them on too long.

less lights, right food and amount!!, and ;
don't give up on a World that will give you so much

[dori9941]

What salt should you use? I use instant ocean but I'm reading about how this effect the growth.

[Fragmadness]

clean up crew, RO dont over feed = no algae

[NAS]

Yes, Be at one with your algae.... Remember it's spongin your nitrates.

I did not notice if you are running a Protien skimmer or not.... If not get one. You may also want to (god forbid) Run a really heavy dose of activated carbon for about a week or two (considering no corals you don't have to worry about it)

Cut back some of your feeding heavy meaty foods (brine, krill ect) by about a half the volume each feed!

Toss in some Nitrate absorbing resins and relax. It's all part of new tank syndrome and... Will get better.

[unclejed]

Well Wonder boy, how are you young squire ? Seems you are 10 years old and attempting to take on the responsibility of an aquarium. I admire that young man. The algae is part of the tank going through the cycle process. You can minimize the effects of the cycle by keeping your lights on for only 5-6 hours a day. Since you are young and new to this I will suggest that you buy a Phosphate reactor. Here is an example of one; ViaAqua Poly-Reactor Multi-Media Reactor
Now, don't let it scare you, it's real simple to use. If you have any more questions, just ask away!