Blue light and algae problem

[bkstang]

This is not a statement and rather a question. I noticed my glass becomes dirty all the time and I need to clean it daily. My phosphate is low in range of 0.03-0.05 but I keep my lights more on the blue side, 11 hours a day with a long sunrise and sunset. I'm curious if keeping lights more white would decrease the algae?

 

[ReefWreak]

More white light would increase algae, as it has more PAR for the algae to use in photosynthesis.

How are your nitrates? Are you growing any cheato to compete with the algae? Is your clean up crew right sized? Are you skimming?

 

[bkstang]

No cheato. Nitrates 0. Clean up crew I would say average. Skimmer rated for 100 g and I have 29 gallon tank. I feed everyday now and I used to feed every other day. I run GFO reactor too.

 

[ReefWreak]

Well, it sounds like you have most things taken care of. Remember, if there is algae, there is nitrate and phosphate. nitrates test 0 because they're being used by the algae.

You can cut your lighting period shorter, but really that won't make a dramatic difference.

My recommendation would be to just feed every other day, unless your fishes get unhealthy from not being constantly fed.

Also, skimmer ratings tend not to be great indicators of performance. Brand and ultimately quality of skimmate are.

If you have the room somewhere, maybe try adding a cheato ball to have it compete for nutrients with the algae in the tank.

 

[bkstang]

I will start from decreasing food but I have no space for cheato