Algae issues!

[jdnumis]

I have 20 nassarus snails, multiple hermits and 4 mexican turbos for my 90 setup.

I still have algae buildup on the glass and overflow. I feel like I clean it everyday. I have had the cuc for over a month now and I just recently bought the turbos (10 days ago)

Should I get more turbos? And what should I get for the algae on the rocks (preferable reef safe)?

 

[KathyC]

If you are looking to add more snails to get rid of the algae you are only addressing the symptom.
You need to address the cause of the algae

Do you have a phosban reactor on the tank? If not, you might want to consider purchasing one.

Are you using Ro/di water?

 

[jdnumis]

Thanks a lot Kathy. I do have a two little fishes phosban reactor. I do use RO/DI water at all times.

Maybe feeding too much at once? I change the media in the reactor once a month. And I have been noticing my frogspawn, xenias, and hammer not opening up all the way the past 2 days.

Any thoughts?

~James

 

[noobzy]

Obviously, Kathy's comment is the most relevant. Algae needs nutrients to grow; remove the nutrients and they won't be able to. I imagine that shortening your light cycle could help as well (same concept).

Also, what kind of algae? From what I understand, some are harder to get rid of than others...

 

[KathyC]

Thanks a lot Kathy. I do have a two little fishes phosban reactor. I do use RO/DI water at all times.

Maybe feeding too much at once? I change the media in the reactor once a month. And I have been noticing my frogspawn, xenias, and hammer not opening up all the way the past 2 days.

Any thoughts?

~James

Once a month is not frequent enough if you are having algae issues. That figure is a general guideline after you have the phosphates in control.

When someone is having a high phosphate issue, you need to be more aggressive in changing the media - probably about once per week (or when the green film starts showing up on your glass on a daily or 2 day basis). You will also want to increase the amount of water changes you are doing as well to help decrease the phosphate level. (nothing massive as it is not good to drop them too fast either!)

As far as feeding - if you are seeing a LOT of food still floating about after the fish have eaten, then you may be overfeeding. Excellent flow in a tank helps keep the food in suspension until it is eaten or your filter sock picks it up.
Do keep in mind that what is accumulating in a filter sock counts against your testing numbers until you clean it out (cause it is still IN the tank..lol) Same goes for skimmate - as long as water is contacting the thick crud in the neck of the skimmer - it is still in your water.

 

[jdnumis]

Thanks again Kathy

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Even with no Po4's in the tank,You're always going to get some kind of algae like dead spots in the tank,Dark green variety on the glass,Spotty brown stuff,filmy kind,etc.Is your surface nice and agitated?

 

[jdnumis]

Surface is very agitated

Thank You Zany