can't control nasty algea growth

[saltyESQ]

it keeps growing on my sandbed weekly (I suck it out with a tube) and it will even grow on zoas. It also covers the back wall of the tank and grows the the side walls only. This is not normal algea.

My water perm are great, nitrate 0pp.

I do a 10g water change every week to two weeks.
the tank is a 24g AP with 70w MH.

there are only 2 OC clowns in the tank and I keep them on the leaner side to keep water quality good. ( feed them twice a week a couple of pieces of flake.

any ideas?

[gps]

Too much nutrients in the media. Not enough flow. too long of the light cycle

[saltyESQ]

what do you mean media?
as for flow, I am using a mj1200. which is the standard pump used for this tank and my lights are on 10hrs per day ( I just changed the timer to 7hr per day)

[agsansoo]

Are you referring to red slime ?

[d0cdave]

Media = filter media. Take out the bio balls / ceramic rings. Rinse out or replace the sponges and filter floss if any.

[saltyESQ]

I think it is red slime.

There is no media in my tank.

I run a aqua c remora skimmer on the back only.

[d0cdave]

Wow... I only have red slime in areas with crappy flow in my nanocube 24. I dont run any media, and I have a big return pump (modded Rio w/ 2 outlets). I change the water every month or so (5-10 gallons). I have 3 fish and a bunch of LPS, zoos and some montipora. I've been toying with the idea of a SCWD to alternate the two outlets to improve flow.

Try putting a locline output on the return nozzle to direct the flow, or adding another small powerhead (Koralia 1) to increase random flow in the tank.

[PasadenaReefer]

Turn your lights off for a day or two, and direct flow towards the spots with algae, run some carbon and reduce your lighting times. 10 hours a day with that small of an area and that MH i would think is your problem. When ever i get algae issues i turn off the lights for 1 or 2 days and then schedule my lights for a smaller time period then when its all gone back to normal schedule.

[bromion]

If possible, do small water changes (1 or 2 gallons) daily while siphoning out the algae. Also try adding a Poly-Filter or activated carbon in a media bag. Poly-Filters are great and last a long time. You may want to add phosphate removal media, but I would start with a Poly-Filter and water changes.

[Scissorhand]

I understand no laws have been passed regarding the minimal recommended feeding regimen, but isn't it borderline cruel to feed two clownfishes a couple of flakes twice a week?

[d0cdave]

There is a balance to be sure... My 12 gallon tank at work is the most stable nano I have ever had. 8 hour lighring period, and no feeding on the weekends. It's been over a year and the fish are healthy. Are they happy? I wouldnt ask them that question on Monday mornings

[Scissorhand]

At least you feed them daily for 5 days out of 7.

Of course fishes can go 2-3 days without feeding. But so can humans, but who'd like to volunteer to go on this diet?

My suggestion is to take out the clowns, find the root of the problem, since feeding is obviously not it. Put them in the bigger tank and give them proper nutrition, then move them back when the problem's been fixed.

[saltyESQ]

while I don't feed my clowns that much food, they don't look skinny either.

[asia102485]

When i started my 75g tank, i also had that problem and I was told to add more flow and run activated carbon and within a week or two it was gone...

[ycnibrc]

algea grow on the subtrate is because there is not enough flow to that area and therefore detritus are accumulate and feed the algea. Either take all the substrate out and go BB or more flow to the bottom.