Algae Taking Over!! Help!!

L

Lea222

Registered Member
Aug 16, 2007
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Hello, I have 72 gal salt water tank with 150lbs of live rock and several fish. I set it up in June. I bought it from a person that had let the tank go. When I got it home and set it up it looked beautiful for a few weeks and then the algae began to grow. I was told the tank was recyling. I have been doing water changes and testing the water for nitrites=0, ammonia=0, ph=8.4 nitrates which always test off the charts. I can not seem to get them down. The last water change I changed half the water. I have mostly thick red algae all over the rocks and sand and there is also some green. I have a wet dry filter with bio balls and a protein skimmer that I leave on 24hrs a day. The bio balls I took from the previous owner. I thought maybe it could be the lights are on too long or not enough. Please Help! Any advise would be great!!!
Thanks in Advance!!!
Lea
 
WELCOME TO AC first of all!!!

sounds like red slime algae to me. i hate that stuff, its gross.

high nitrates feed unwanted algae as well as phosphates. Have you tested your water for phosphates? You will want to do this as well and get a grip on whats going on there.

What is your water change schedule like? Are you using tap water or RO/DI water? Do you have any powerheads in the tank creating current?
 
ALGAE

HELLO,
WHEN I DO WATER CHANGES I USE TAP WATER AND I EITHER LET IT SIT FOR A FEW DAYS OR I USE A DECLORINATOR. MY WATER TEMP IS AT ABOUT 76-77. I HAVE ONLY ONE WATER PUMP. MY NITRATES=0, AMMONIA=0, PH=8.4 AND NITRATES ARE ALWAYS 160.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.:confused:
LEA
 
Your nitrates are probably causing it.
Try slowly removing the bioballs over time or clean them in saltwater as they are known nitrate factories.
I'd test your tap for nitrates, as well and add some phosphate remover to the filter.
Purigen is another product that's effective in lowering nitrates and DOC.
If your tap is treated with chloramines, always use a dechlorinator...don't let it just sit for a few days. Make sure your dechlorinator treats chloramines and I'd highly recommend using Seachem's Prime.
If your tap tests high for nitrates and phosphates, you'd do well to just switch over to RO water.
Buy some powerheads (2X Hydor Koralia 3 or 4) to increase the circulation in the tank. (very important)
How deep is your sand bed, btw?
 
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Yes. See my signature. (75G FOWLR)..unless you are addressing the original poster (150lbs of LR)
I am battling algae in my new tank, as well...but I'm dealing with the dreaded hair algae. I'm doing everything I can to get it under control and it's just a matter of time before it starts to disappear. Usually takes about 1-2 months for it to disappear in a new tank.
Blue-green/red slime algae is totally different matter. High nitrates and little or no current seem to be what it likes.
 
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