Algee Question, Please Help

[Ducman996]

Hello All,

I am new to the borad and have a question about algee growth. I have a 55 gal, with about 40 lbs of substraite and about 35 lbs of live rock. I have 3 Blue Damsels. The tank have been up for about 3 months. My question/problem is I am starting to get brown/red algee on the gravel and glass. I have been reading the forum and my understanding is that I must decrease the feeding amount....and possibly watch my NO4 levels. How much should I be feeding my 3 fish. Even after I feed them they always seem like they are looking for more food. Also what is the best way to stop this problem. Are there any critters that I can buy too aid in lowering the uneaten food that may be on the bottom. I am going to try and syphen all the gravel in hopes to rid the graven of the bacteria.

Thanks in advance for you information.

 

[Reefguide]

Is this a rather new tank? If so this could just be part of the process... Try adding a powerhead near the bottom to keep a good amount of flow over the sand bed. Don't syphon the sand bed. You might be removing sand bed critters. The fewer the feedings the better, with 3 damsels I would feed a pinch of flake every 2 days... Thats just me though...

 

[Ducman996]

Ok....from the sounds of it I am way over feeding. As for clean up, what is the best way to get rid of it?

 

[Reefguide]

Fighting Conchs do a pretty good job, I just don't know if your tank is big enough. They require a decent amount of open space. You could also look into a cuke.

 

[Casey1]

Are you using RO water? i

 

[Anonymous]

Most tanks go through some algae phases in the early stages. Do keep tabs on the feeding, but don't starve your damsels (although some have been tempted). Settling on the correct feeding schedule/amount is one of the most difficult aspects of the hobby IMO; if you ask 50 reefers how much they feed you will get 50 wildly different answers. And the fish are not much help, damsels will show every sign of wanting more food until they literally can't pack any more in. If they seem satisfied, that is a definite sign you are overfeeding!

 

[danmhippo]

A Pinch of flake every 2 days sounds good. Keep the nutrient load down and increase circulation (eg. additional powerheads blowing across the sand bed and behind the rock works) to keep detritus in suspension to be picked up by protein skimmer or out to the sump.