really bad algae on live sand

[mermaiden78]

What is something i can get to help keep down on algae on my LS? Tank inhabitants listed in siggy.

 

[saltyc]

either more snails-ceriths or nassarius, or some hermits-either will clean up algae.
BTW, what kind of algae? if its cyano, that's a whole other problem...

 

[mermaiden78]

im not sure it is like a brown color. It is not very bad right now. But is just look discolored. I dont want it to go crazy.

 

[reefrash]

Whew, you're at a crossroads, seeing the limitations of your system. If I were on a limited budget. I'd upgrade my bulbs (one TL03, and a 10,000K), and get a small counter current skimmer. You could swing that for the price of new lighting, and the skimmer would help with your algae. Algae is a problem in a small system as nitrates seem to build quicker IME, try small weekly water changes and use you nitrates as a guide as to how much/when. Also, are you using tap water? If so that could be contributing to your problem. More info please.

 

[mermaiden78]

all of my trates and trites are 0 and everything else is good. SG is 1023. I use RO f rom pet store.

 

[mermaiden78]

I do water change once a week (Saturdays) and i top off once a week (wednesdays)

 

[mysis]

Well, phosphates fuel algae, which means something is causing the algae, I think it would bbe overfeeding, or the left over food is not being consumed, there are a few options you can try. lower the amount of food entering the tank, this will stop the uneaten food causing algal blooms, clean up crew is another way, i had recent problems on my sand bed aswell, and quickly fixed it with a sand sifter goby, they are good because they clean you and keep the top layer well oxygenated, also and uneaten food is discovered by them and they will eat, also many have good character and are fun to watch, also other options are snails, hermits, starfish etc.

 

[lollypops]

red wine looking coralline algae?????

:dance: 180 ltres powered by x2 t5s is this sufficient for a tank this big?? all life looks happy enough but im getting a slow growth of really hard to move deep red wine stuff on the rocks(tufu?) copepods dance on it and the tank is slightly calcium high 480 ppl. loads of little limpet babies are thriving which is cutting down hair algae problem.. i cant seem to find anything on this rock covering stuff.... anyone got any ideas please?