tank is 8 months old and no algae bloom - why not.

[BCReefer]

What is the biggest cause of Algae? I have had my recent tank set up for about 8 months and I have not had a major algae breakout since the 1st couple of weeks. I only have 4 – 5 turbo snails and 3 – 4 hermit crabs. From what I have read you are suppose to have 1 of each for every gallon of water.

I only feed once a day and I usually wait 3 – 6 weeks in between new additions.

I have a 175W MH with 2 30W actincs that are on timers.

I have been told that I should expect a bloom and I have read in many places that when you get one it can take over the whole tank.

Should I add more clean up crew or as the saying goes “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”

"knock, knock" - that is me knocking on wood so I don't jinx myself.

Cheers,
Patrick

 

[Anonymous]

Well, you had to go run your mouth now didn't you!

.

I'd say we will expect to see a post from you in the next couple of months that says something like "Green hair algea nightmare..HELP!!!" or "I'm getting out of this hobby...damn algea won't go away".

I didn't get my first outbreak until after 1 year. It started right about the time I started thinking I was smarter that everyone else

.

You're doomed!

Later

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, I disagree with the 1 snail per gallon. (That's usually for Astrea or Margarita snails) Turbo snails are much larger and more voracious and are more like 1/10 gallons. You probably have a low bio-load and the turbos are able to keep it under control.

 

[SPC]

Posted by BCReefer:
Should I add more clean up crew or as the saying goes “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”

-Leave it be and continue to do what you are doing. I don't believe an algae outbreak is ever inevitable if things are done correctly to begin with and kept up with.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

BC Reefer,

I'm guessing you have good water quality. Therefore, no algae.
Keep up the good work.

 

[esmithiii]

Luck bugger!

Anyway, it may happen, or it may not. My blooms have been somewhat short-lived for the most part.

Good luck, and keep rubbing it in, buddy!

 

[danmhippo]

I will notify you when I feel my pocket is deep enough for another tank, then we can trade tank and let you deal with the algae bloom.

 

[HuBu]

the temperature of the water inside your tank can also increase algae growth.

 

[Carpentersreef]

What is the biggest cause of Algae?

My opinion would be three things:

-Poor water quality (I'm referring to composition only)(Phosphate, iron, etc.)
-Excess nutrients from overfeeding
-Detritus buildup

Spectrum shifts in lighting can accelerate the growth, IMHO, but I think that if the above three are NOT an issue, lighting alone won't cause any major outbreaks.

(Hey, what happened to the FAQ's at the top of the page?)

Mitch

 

[tlc]

i assure you that you have just cursed yourself. silence is a virtue in this hobby...

 

[BCReefer]

I guess we are so used to having problems that I was getting nervous, you now like calm before the storm. I really try hard to keep bi-load down, and not over feed. I never scoop up unused food and I only feed once a day and maybe sometimes twice. My fish are growing quite well and the corals are looking pretty good to.

One thing I do is turn off the skimmer every night, from 10:00 to 6:00 AM as it was keeping us awake. This has been done for about 3 months and still see no side effects.

I am changing the bulb this weekend from a 175W 5500K to a 175W 6500 or 10,000K, plus I am looking at adding 2 compact florescent tubes. These are the tubes which are 26W but they are equivalent to 104 W and they do not require a ballast.

I am only using the compacts as a supplement to my MH. But I can guarantee that I will be slowly acclimatizing my tank to the new MH first and then the compacts.

Thanks for the responses.

Cheers All,
Patrick