need help with algae

[l3xxx]

i have a whole bunch of algae growing in my tank. its looks like little grass all over the sand. and then this brown stuff start to get all over the glass and equipment inside the tank. it makes the tank look ugly. how do i get rid of all this stuff

 

[camaroracer214]

what are your water parameters like nitrate, phosphate, and silicate? these will all feed the algae growing in your tank.

to remove it, keep doing water changes until it's gone. if it doesn't go, you might have to take more drastic measures like chemicals and a 3-day lights out period. but make sure your water quality is good though. make sure you aren't overfeeding, your bulbs aren't too old, and you don't have too high of a bioload in your system.

 

[metalac]

i have a whole bunch of algae growing in my tank. its looks like little grass all over the sand. and then this brown stuff start to get all over the glass and equipment inside the tank. it makes the tank look ugly. how do i get rid of all this stuff

is your tank new?

 

[l3xxx]

im really bad at water changes. i get lazy sometimes which is why all this stuff is growing. my tank has been running i think for about a year already. its a 20 gallon tank with a 10 gallon water sump. i have a 90 gallon protein skimmer running in the sump... but i notice that the equipment in the sump is getting this brown stuff that almost even looks like dirt. im wondering, if i do that 3 day lights out thing, will my anenomes die?

 

[camaroracer214]

well i would test your water before doing anything. if you have too much nitrate or phosphate, the lights out period won't fix anything. if you have perfect water conditions and no apparent reason for the algae to be popping , then a lights out period might be a possible solution.

test your water, do some water changes with ro/di water and a good salt brand, then tell us how your tank looks.

you might have to get some algae grazers if you don't already have some.

 

[jollylager]

You need to get biological cleaners. Just like the algae eater for the freshwater tank there are marine critters that clean up tanks. Make sure you get snails and crabs that clean all the areas of the tank- substrate, rocks/decoration, and glass. Have them do the work for you. I got plenty of them and I barely ever find myself cleaning the tank, usually just change water every couple of months. Crystal clear tank. Also consider getting some macro algae, as they will absorb the nutrients rather than the annoying microalgae. Chaeto is a good start, and looks good around rocks if done right.