[applesiders]

Hello,

I am a new nano reef tank enthusiast and I've had my 12 gallon Aquapod tank for around 3 months now. I currently have 8 pounds of live rock, 10 pounds of live sand, 6 blue leg hermits, and 1 Blue Damsel. I have noticed a recent outbreak of green slimy algae growing on the live sand and glass of my tank. I did a 20% water change and cleaned the algae from the sides of the tank and sand. But I'm still having new algae growing. My water test results were fine except the PH was down to 8.0. No amonia, nitrites, or nitrates. I have not tested for phosphates though. What is the best way to rid my tank of this nuisance algae so it does not keep coming back?

Thanks!

[Jareth]

Pics > description

What kind of water?

[applesiders]

I have been buying premixed RO saltwater from a local saltwater/reef aquarium shop.

[Jareth]

Pics would be best, but without those I'd suggest some narssarius snails.

[applesiders]

Ok, I've attached a pic showing the light green slime algae on the surface of the sand. There's also some on the live rock as well. I cleaned most of it off the glass already.

[Jareth]

Did you already go through a diatom bloom? That pic makes it look very much like my bloom, tho mine was more yellow than green.

[applesiders]

Yes, already went through the early diatom "yellow-brown dusting" on my livesand and tank glass. It cleared up and then I wasn't having any annoying algae problems until now. I do have coraline algae growth, but I want that kind of algae.

[lynnvangsnes]

You could try to increase your water flow across your sand a little. A sand sifting goby would help a great deal, and they're reef safe.

[rlcline76]

What are your water parameters?

[applesiders]

Well, I just checked my water this morning and here's the results:

Salinity - 1.023
PH - has dropped to 7.8 from 8.3 in a matter of days!
Amonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 0
Alkalinity - 240ppm

I'm more concerned now that my PH has dropped. Any suggestions? How can I safely bring the PH up again.

Thanks!

[rlcline76]

phosphates?

[applesiders]

Yeah, I need to get a phosphate test and see where my phosphates are. If they come out high, it there a way to remedy that? I'm also going to check into adding some filter media to help reduce nutrients that seem to be feeding the algae growth.

[Turbo]

Hi

Algae needs two things to thrive, Food (phosphates) and light so i would recommend reducing the light to eight hours if it is higher than that at the moment, and check ur phosphate levels to see where you stand! If they are high then this could be for a couple of reasons, you might be overfeeding (always leave your fish hungry after feeding) and you might need to increase ur water changes! i would try these before adding any phosphate removers as the less chemicals in ur tank the better and its easier on your pocket