I need help with an algae problem that I can’t seem to get read of. It started out as a small problem what I think is cyanobacteria in a small area of my sand bed. I thought it was from lack of circulation in that area. I have a large long tentacle anemone in that possession of my tank so I made it a low circulation area of the tank. The algae looked like a red-maroon color, and it was like a thin layer of film.
I have a 135 gallon reef tank with a four inch sand bed. I do a water change every week of 15 – 25 gallons. To try and stop the problem I increased the water flow in that area, and with a chopstick I mixed up the sand just in that area. Well it just got worse and spread all over my sand. And now to top it off I’m getting some new kind of algae problem on my live rocks also! I can’t identify it, but it looks like a rust color type of algae. I will try and post some photos of it if I can do so. Is it lack of water circulation? I’m using a Little Giant 3-MDQX-SC @ 8.5 hf. = 698 gph, plus 4 Maxi Jet 900MJ @ 230 gph ea. With an Ocean Motion Wave Machine. As for a skimmer I’m using a Euro Reef CS6-2 Skimmer w/Senda 900 Pump. I empty it at least twice a week. I am using a calcium reactor on the tank to. My sump tank holds 30 gallons of water when full (I run it half full). As for live rocks, I have about 200 pounds of it in my tank. My tank has been running since March 21, 2001. I use nothing but RO/DI water in my tank. Both types of algae’s are starting to take over some of my corals also. My LFS told me not to use any chemicals on a reef tank if I can avoid it, and to siphon the cyanobacteria out every day, and do daily water changes of 5 gallons for two weeks. Also to turn out my lights for two full days. It hasn’t worked yet after two weeks now. I thought I would try that Eraser formula in it, but no luck yet. I’ve been using it for three days now. I use a turkey baser on the corals and rocks every night for about one hour (yes I’m getting tire of this). My pH probe reads from 8.01 in the morning to 8.22 at night. My S.G. is at about 1.024, and I keep my tank between 75 – 77 F. I’m working on improving my lighting system, but for now I’m only running 4 96 watt PC – 2 daylights, and 2 Ultra-Actinic. I’m going to change the lighting system to 4 Ultra-Actinic PC’s and 3 – 250 watt 10,000k MH.
Dose anyone have an idea as to what is causing this algae problem and what type of algae this rust color one is? Also how to get ride of it. Thanks for you advise.
