green hair algae

Question
I have a 55 saltwater FOWLR tank with live sand. I have a blue hippo tang, bi color angelfish, 3 clown 1 fire red shrimp, 2 scarlet cleaners, blue hermit crabs,and serith snails. I had a rapids pro rp3 wet/dry system but the prrotein skimmer motor went in 2 1/2 months so I went with a Fluval 305 and waiting for a HOB aquamaxx protein skimmer. My green Algae has now increased when I had to remove my filter media excpet the chemi pure elite when treated my tank for Ich, How can I get rid of this algae. I use tap water that is treated to remove chlorine

Answer
Hi Gareth,

First off, I can point out two things that stand out to me right off the bat.

The Fluval 305 is basically what I like to call "a nitrate factory" and I would be willing to bet it's feeding your algae nicely.  It's not recommended to run just one on a salt system, and if you do run the 305 model, which is very sub-standard, then you need to clean it weekly.  They become nitrate houses, primarily, if not maintained weekly.

So, #1, upgrade the filtration system immensely.  It's sub-sufficient at this point and the nutrients in the water are feeding the algae.

#2, Tap water is the worst thing you can use if you have saltwater.  It can contain everything from silicates (they help clean it so we can drink it, but they are terrible for your tank), to metals.  Even using a decholorinator will not be sufficient.

Know what I do?  I go to Food Max, and I buy 5 gallons of water in the outdoor water dispenser.  It runs me $1 for five gallons and I change my water bi-weekly, five gallons, so it keeps the system nice and clean, and I don't have to heavily skim (I run it 8 hours during the night only) and I don't have issues such as algae or other problems caused by using tap water.

#3, Flow needs to be increased incrementally.  For a 55 gallon aquarium, you should be using a couple nice, strong powerheads...one on each side, alongside any return hoses you have going in there.  In the ocean, the currents are strong.

#4, Please begin a weekly water change of 5 gallons every week for a month, and then after the start of the year, go to a bi-weekly schedule, but water changes are imperative for clean water.

Water changes are sometimes confused with adding water to the tank as it diminishes.  They are not the same.  Water will be added at a quart to two quarts per day in any system and this is normal.  It is not considered to be a water change and water must be changed bi-weekly at the minimum, to maintain healthy levels or algae can grow.

About saltwater algae:  

Algae forms from a number of factors, but it can only form where food exists, light, and certain specialized conditions.

People get it all the time, for various reasons, but algae is actually pretty picky, so if you're not giving it the right food to feed on, lighting and other necessities...it simply won't form.

So, we have to out-think it.  

Algae loves eating phosphates, nitrates, ammonia and bad things in aquarium water.  You shouldn't be using charcoal either, as it seems to feed the algae.  I use a charcoal-free system and recommend them.  

Have you considered running a refugium?  The benefits are huge.  Algae is encouraged to grow there, and to eat dirty water as it flows by.  The light runs 24/7 and feeds the algae strength to grow.  Algae forms in the refugium, therefore less forms inside the aquarium.

Please consider one, as they are inexpensive to build and maintain fairly easy.  I just give away algae as it grows, and it works out great.

So, to encompass my suggestions 1: Get new filtration, because the filtration you have is insufficient.  2: Water changes.  3: No more tap water.  4: Get more flow.  5: No more charcoal.  

You can, additionally, consider adding a phosphate sponge, and some zeolyte crystals in nets, inside something flowing (like in a chamber in the fluvals), and they will help control ammonia and phosphates, but you will need to thoroughly wash them monthly and change them bi-yearly.  

You can also add a Yellow Tang to your crew, or a Foxface Rabbitfish, as they will eat tons of algae, and maybe a Lawnmower Blenny (appropriately nicknamed, because they love the taste of algae).

You can also try one last thing and that is to lower the amount of food, and the frequency, and to decrease lighting to less than 8 hours a day.

Good luck, and happy holidays.  I really hope this helps.  Feel free to respond if you have further questions.

Happy fish-keeping.

Renee