[viper1b2bb]

I have a 55gal tank with a coralife 65x4watt light system, and a marineland canister filter, and protein skimmer. Recently I have been having a problem with outbreaks of different types of algae, there is green coating algae, red coating algae, and the long green stringy stuff, that is only on the back of the tank wall. So far I have tried a chemical algae killer(after removing my inverts and crabs, etc) and it seemed to help with the stringy algae, but i came back to my apartment after a weekend back home, and there is another outbreak of the red/purple stuff, and I know that some is alright to have, but it covers most of the sand on the bottom, the live rock i have in there is not covered though. If anyone has any suggestions on how to remedy this problem please do so, thanks

-Brian B.

[gramesy777]

pictures would help a lot! the red/purple stuff is coraline and is good! But we need pics to confirm.

[viper1b2bb]

it just looks ugly, its all over the sand at the bottom, and today i scraped the hair algae off the back of the tank and netted it out. but i will get some pics up in a while

[stephaniesquires]

Originally Posted by viper1b2bb

I have a 55gal tank with a coralife 65x4watt light system, and a marineland canister filter, and protein skimmer. Recently I have been having a problem with outbreaks of different types of algae, there is green coating algae, red coating algae, and the long green stringy stuff, that is only on the back of the tank wall. So far I have tried a chemical algae killer(after removing my inverts and crabs, etc) and it seemed to help with the stringy algae, but i came back to my apartment after a weekend back home, and there is another outbreak of the red/purple stuff, and I know that some is alright to have, but it covers most of the sand on the bottom, the live rock i have in there is not covered though. If anyone has any suggestions on how to remedy this problem please do so, thanks

-Brian B.

There are several causes of algae. Overfeeding, lighting issues and not enough flow to name a few. The red algae sounds like cyano if it's gooey its probably cyano. Here is an article on cyano AlgaeControl also, check out previous threads here, many have had issues with this pest algae.
As for the stringy stuff, sounds like hair algae. Do you have a clean up crew?? Some snails and crabs should take care of most of the algae.
Post your water parameters and livestock.

[viper1b2bb]

Nitrites - normal
pH - normal
salinity - 1.023
NH3/NH4 - normal

I do need to get more of a cleanup crew, its fairly small as of right now.
Also I ran out of my nitrate test, and i should prolly test my phosphates as well

Livetsock include:

2 false percula clowns
2 Javanese Damsels
2 three stripe damsels
a few small frags of zooanthids, mushrooms, and star polyps
4 blue legged hermits
1 snail

[stephaniesquires]

Sounds like you need more crabs and snails. How much water flow do you have?? You might need more or to redirect what you have.

[reefcouple]

I had a 55 w/out a sump and a bad algae problem. If your not running a sump, it could just be your water is getting "swampy"

[Marine1]

I have a similar set-up as you - 55 gal w/ coralife skimmer 65. I am getting green hair algae on the right side of my tank, but I think the reason is because the sun shines on that side all day long, so I cover it with dark paper most days. The tank is about 3 ft from the sliding glass door.

Is your tank near a window or glass door where it could be getting a lot of sun? - that could be the issue. Also, do you have any powerheads to help circulate the water around the tank? OR maybe overfeeding could be the cause.

I would suggest getting a sea urchin or lawnmower blenny. I bought a lawnmower blenny and he chows the algae all day long. A fox face likes to eat algae as well, but I don't know if a 55 gal is big enough to house a fox face long-term. I am no expert, but from talking to different people, lfs, and reading on the internet these suggestions could be a good alternative to crabs and snails. My valentini puffer eats any snails that I put in the tank even with numerous empty shells to throw him off, so I had to resort to a fish that likes eating algae.

[rlcline76]

The cannister filetr is probably helping your nitrates...I noticed that level was not tested for.
What kind of water are you using? If you are not using RO/DI, this is a good time to start. You will also want to do a water change to reduce nitrates:

An Instant Nitrate Reduction Method - A Multiple Step Water Change Procedure

You may also want to increase your flow to help with the dead spots contributing to the cyanobacteria outbreak in your tank.

[stacef]

Hey Viper--
Sorry I do not have much time, and would love to comment on your post later. But have you voted for Decembers Tank of the Month yet? If you do not know where it is, let anyone know they would be happy to show you...only a few more days to vote, it's VERY close! Keep everyone voting

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You can talk about stray light all you want,Or you can blame old bulbs for all the algea in the world.Or you can say its a flow problem and it could be.BUT,if algea doesnt eat algea doesnt grow.Nitrates and phosphates are the enemy here.Unless you are using tap water the only source you have for nitrates and phosphates is fish food.Cut back on the food and it will go away all by itself.And please dont use that liquid algea remover.Its entire purpose in life is to bind nitrates in a nasty soup that isnt good for the tank at all.The other thing I would do is put that canister filter in the closet in case you ever get gold fish.If they are not cleaned regularly they can creat as many nitrates as they remove. And always remember the golden rule,"if you cant test for it,dont put it in your tank".

[viper1b2bb]

well i pretty much clean it every week, i think that i will try cutting back on the food, and moving my tank further from a window i have in my living room, but i havent had any problems with this canister, it works really well.