Green Film Algae

Discussion in 'Chemistry' started by jarjor, Jun 16, 2017.

  1. jarjor

    jarjor Copepod

    Hi reefers,

    So, I am getting green film on my glass that I literally have to clean off everyday (if I want to see anything!). I am pretty on top of my water quality management but here are my params right now:

    6/16 (nitrate test Red Sea / alk & phos Hanna)

    Nitrite 0 ppm
    Nitrate 5 ppm
    Ammonia 0 ppm
    Salinity 1.025
    pH ~7.9
    Alkalinity 9.3 dKH
    Phosphate 0.07 ppm

    Is this normal for a tank that is only 4ish months old? I thought it would be a nutrient issue. The only other thing I can think of is lighting.

    Thanks for any assistance!

    Jarrett
     
  2. Botheboss

    Botheboss Director-At Large

    You have to remember that algae uses nutrients. Some ppl test 0s because algae uses it all so your nutrient load could be high. And aminos and pyhtoplakton can fuel algae as well. Atleast that's what I've herd
     
  3. jarjor

    jarjor Copepod

    I think I figured it out. I am using that Red Sea Reef Energy and it has tons of aminos and also started feeding PE Calanus Frozen which has a lot of the same properties as you mentioned. I am going to cease the Reef Energy corrects the problem.

    Thanks for the response!
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2017
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  4. LJC6780

    LJC6780 Grouper

    It could be part of the problem but I also think the algae cycles are part of establishing a tank. I'm no expert by any means, but that's a lot of what I read about newer tanks. The degree of the outbreak could be because of added nutrients though.
     
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  5. Botheboss

    Botheboss Director-At Large

    Everyone fights algae. I have some hair algae I'm trying keep from getting out of control. You just have to do what you can to be proactive IMO.
     
    LJC6780 likes this.
  6. huntindoc

    huntindoc RRMAS BOD Membership Director Staff Member

    Agree with Christi and Bo. I think amino supplements are better at growing algae than they are at growing coral. Read lots of folks that have stopped using them because of nutrient issues. Algae, especially film algae is part of the new tank uglies. I think you are attacking it the right way. Watch the nitrate and phosphate. The nitrate is ok but the phosphate is a little higher than I like mine to be. At least in my tanks phosphate has been the driver of algae problems much more than nitrates.
     
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