alge problems

Question
QUESTION: I have a 55 gal saltwater tank, and i can't seem to get rid of the algae in it. some of it is like a green velvet, some like a maroon color and some hair algae. please tell me how to get rid if all of it and how to keep it from coming back!!

ANSWER: Hello Cassidy,

Algae is natural, and could be expectd at times.  IT will also go away with proper care and maintenance...

Can you please tell me how old is your tank and what equipment, filters, pumps, powerheads, lights, etc is on your tank?

To keep in control of algae, you would need to find the right balance of light, nutirents, and lack of algae contributirs, (phosphates, silicates, etc...)

You can also get some 'sand stirring' critters to help keep the sand moving, but they wont eat the algae, just keep it from growing on the moving sand bed...  Or in other words, if you get that type of cure, the algae will just stick to eh rocks and glass...

anyways, let me know the info you have and we can carry on from there.

If you want, you may post that info on my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

there are other reefers there that will also be able to give some tips...

good luck, and hope to see you around...

bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: well i set it up 5 years ago and it was beautiful! when hurricane katrina hit a few years ago we got some of the aftermath of the storm and lost power for like 14 hours. most of my fish died and all of my corals died. i completely broke it down about a year ago and set it back up. i kept some green chromis,and some damsels in there and just let it cycle for about 3 months. i have a canopy with power quads built into it, a power head, 1 500 gph filter, and 1 350 gph filter. i keep my lights on for only 8 hrs a day.

Answer
cool, thanks for the info...

On a three month old tank, it is normal to develop algae.  It will need to be dealt with for a bit, but will eventually grow under control...

Can you tell me what you use for fresh water top off water??? where is the water coming from and does it test out ok???  We usually use RO/DI water and it is low or has no phosphates or other negative elements/compounds that can contribute to the algee, (algae contributors)

BAsically if you can test your tank water for Phosphates and silicates and let me know, that would be great.  chances are you are having some issues with that...

Also, what water are you using for your water changes, is it mixed with salt and fresh water and if so, how good is that water???

After you rule out the water issues, you will want to make sure you have plenty of power heads to keep the water circulating through your tank... and add some sand stirring critters...

I would suggest a sand sifting starfish, or if you can find one a tiger tail cucumber... they are kind of ugly looking but in a way they are beautiful, and they are the BEST sand stirring critter you will ever find...   dirty sand in one end, and pristine white sand out the other...   like a tunnel boring machine...

But, again, it is normal for new tanks to go through this process at the beginning, and for you to not go over board in trying to 'fix' it... it is all about dialing it in and finding hte balance...

Anyways, please give a couple things a look at and maybe make some tweaks, and let me know how things go.

If you want, please post more questions and info at my new forum,  www.thelittleocean.com  there is a couple other members who are going thru very similar situations right now... some have just gotten past and will be able to help you also...


hope to see you there


bill