algae bloom

[mpleleaf]

Hi There ! I've got a bit of a question here I was hoping someone could answer ! I've had my tank up and running great for three months and the only change I've made is adding a glass top between the lights and water just the other day . Now all of a sudden I'm in the middle of an algae bloom and don't know why or what cause it. Another important question is what's the best method to correct this cloud of mine . Any help solving my problem will be greatly appreciated ! Thanks, Kevin !:help:

[afss]

Need more info on your set up
size
water changes
feeding amounts and frequency
number and type of fish and other critters
type of filtration
amount and type of lighting.

Just a guess at the moment, but maybe putting the glass in changed the color spectrum of the light reaching the water to one that is more suited to the algae.. just a thought

Scott

[Daniel Schubert]

I agree with Scott the glass will be filtering the light (Depending on type of glass) Also the glass will reduce the effect of the light by about 20-30% (or at least that's what I read). You may want to loose the glass top, If you need a top to prevent fish from jumping out use egg crate instead

[ian cooper]

Two other points worth considering when adding a glass top to the tank:

1. increase temperature of tank
2. if you aren't using a sump, you could be limiting the exchange of CO2 with the atmosphere ie, you could be trapping excess CO2 in the system - leading to increase in algae growth.

Bear in mind that sometimes it is hard to draw a direct relationship between something added or changed to a system and the outbreak of algae etc. More often than not it is a combination of factors that together lead to a less than perfect environment.

[mpleleaf]

Thanks guys for coming to my rescue ! The tank is a 77 gal. and I think I have enough filtering but here goes. It's got 4"dsb which at the present time isn't seeded yet' a fluval404 with just ceramic rings(bio) ,a pro4 ,a pro2 and recently I took out a penqiun that was just used for circulation but replaced it with two small powerheads. For lighting I'm using two marine-glo's and two power-glo's which I didn't think would be over excessive. The temperature is a steady 25 deg. and the glass top is only 3/4 used(back left open) mostly to keep salt deposits off the lights. From what I can see the 3 damsels are still happily bobbing around, they have only occupied the tank for a month but the tanks been running great for over 3. I'm right on the money as far as all my water measurements go. I think I'll leave the lights off for the time being and see if that makes any diff. . Thanks for any and all your help talk to you soon !:wave:

[mouse6196]

You'll be OK with the Fluval for now, but after your bio-load increases, it will definately increase you nitrates. I used a Fluval 404 at the start and after the tank was running for about 6 months, my nitrates went off the scale. I removed the Fluval, adn all was good.

The glass, in combination with your lighting is probably (almost definately) filtering out some light and changing the spectrum. 3/4 glass is thick, and is definately doing more harm than good. Try to go without any glass on the top. This will increase your gas exchange, which will benefit your bacteria that you are trying to establish in your sand bed. Also the light is required for the bacteria also. Try using waterproof endcaps for your bulbs, or just wipe them down with fresh water once in a while. My flourescents are only inches above the water and I've done this for some time without a problem.

Your lighting is definately not excessinve. I'm currently running 730 watts of light over my 90 gallon reef. One 400 watt Metal Halide, adn three VHO actinics. Once you get into corals, you'll wnat to increase your lighting, but for now just get your tank running efficiently.

With a tank that has only been up and running for 3 months, you'll see it goe through what people call cycles. I had a brown diatom cycle, that my turbo snails, lawnmover blennie, and hermits cleaned up, then I had a green algae cycle, but I think was caused from not using R/O water. You should get yourself about 30 Turbo snails, and 40 hermits and this will help with the algae, and also other cleaning up jobs. Try using a fish called a Lawnmover Blennie, they clean the glass and rocks very efficiently. If your algae problem is on your sand bed, try a fighting conch or two.

Do you have Live Rock in the tank? You'll wnat to add some of this, it'll filter your water with bacteria, and will soon replace your Fluval. (I use a Fluval now just to add carbon on rare occassions.

Hope this all helps. The algae will go away with very little effort if you add the right critters, use R/O or distilled water for top ups and water changes, and get rid of the glass top. GOOD LUCK!!!

:cheers:

[Brian L]

On the money with Mouse, except for the Hermits. Some will help, but they come at a price because they eat the snails. Again, Live rock will become the filter.

[mibaro]

2 other things you can try are to reduce the time your lights are on, and increase circulation. I found that pointing a powerhead near the algae growth helped slow it down (it hates high current...coraline algae likes high current).
--also, cut back on feeding.

--I did those things above when I was going crazy with an algae outbreak....the algae started to slow, then disappearred.
--My algae outbreak ocurred around the 3 month mark, and is now gone after 6 months.

Michael