identification of nuisance algae.

[TheDubbya]

Hi Reefers,

I know that green hair algae is pretty common and the pictures I've been able to find on the web are very similar to one another. About a month ago, I was dealing with some nasty parasites on my fish and my main display tank sat fallow for 8 weeks. During this time, a green moss-like algae started growing on small pieces of live rock scattered on the sand on the bottom of the tank. It does not appear to be growing anywhere else that I can see at this time.

Now that my fish are healthy, I've returned them back to the main display and the algae problem seems to have gotten worse. Along with the algae, the smell from the tank is pretty bad. I cant really describe the smell but to say it is unpleasant. I tried adding some carbon to my wet/dry filter and it got rid of the smell for a day, however it returned the very next day. I've included some pictures and a link to a youtube video of the algae blowing in the current.

What I am looking for is advice on creatures I can get to eat this, or a treatment (chemipure), or something else to take this out. My yellow tang is not interested in the stuff, and the hermit crabs avoid it as far as I can tell. I physically remove as much as I can when I do water changes, but it grows back. What can I do?

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52HGFJNZtnU
image: http://s27.postimg.org/u33hdd8b7/algae.jpg

 

[Shaunv]

What are your Phosphate levels at? Do you run GFO? Do you have a sump with Macro Algae? How big is the tank? For CUC, you can try a Lettuce Nudibranch or Sea Hare. They mow down algae. Algae/Lawnmower Benny may help too. The big thing though is get those phosphates down. You can also try leaving lights off for a few days.

 

[ValG]

Looks like it may be a green turf algae. I agree with Shaun... try to figure out what's the cause is first. My tangs devour any kind of algae that shows up in my tank, so adding one may be an option. One thing to consider when adding a creature to help with the algae is that when they have done their job and there's no more algae to munch on some may just starve to death if there's no more food source.

 

[scotty b]

have you tested your water to see if any nitrogen compounds are high?
if I where you i would est to see whether or not your ammonia,nitrate or nitrite are high and go from there

 

[TheDubbya]

Thanks for the advice. I don't actually know what the Phosphate levels are currently, but I'll measure later today. I have no GFO, my sump does not have any Macro Algae in it and the tank is 55G.

I've thought about the fact that after the algae is gone, the creature would die because of a lack of food. I know several stores that will let me buy (borrow) a creature and if it comes back in good health, they give me credit to something else.

I appreciate the responses.

 

[Shaunv]

I'd recommend getting some macro algae for the sump, like Red Dragon. I have some if you need any. If you do 't want to do Macros, you will probably want to run GFO. How long has the tank been set up? Is it FOWLR or reef?

 

[Walter White]

Do you use RODI water? If so do you make your own or get it somewhere?

 

[zombie]

In addition to what is mentioned above to find and stop the source (or create more sinks) is MANUAL REMOVAL. If you get something to eat it, all those phosphates will be added right back to the tank. If you manually remove it, then they are gone forever.