Another question about algae

[Mr31415]

In my reef tank (about 8 months old now) I do not have diatom blooms anymore, and generally the sand bed is clean of any cyno or diatoms.

On some of my SPS I see some green algae growing. On the LR I also see bubbles - but not any algae. I assume it is too a thin layer to observe directly, but the bubbles indicate to me that algae is present.

I also have a rock with hair algae growing quite rapidly - in 2 weeks it will grow back whatever I pruned.

I also have a couple of spots containing pink candy floss algae - whatever you call it. That stuff grows similar - in 2 weeks they are back at the same amount.

I have a sump with a *huge* ball of chaeto growing very well.

Bioload is small - 80kg of LR, 2 small tangs, 1 clownfish, 2 wrasses, 1 mandarin, 3 chromis. Shallow sandbed, 550l. Got calcium reactor and kalkwasser dispenser.

pH - 8.12
Temp - 27
Alk - 6dKH
SG - 1.025
NO2 - 0
NO3 - 5mg/l
P - barely detectable with D-Deltec kit.

I have to clean the glass pane once a week at least to keep it clean.

Is this normal algae growth?

If yes, how do I zap the pink cotton and hair algae without resorting to such drastic measures as cooking rock?

[Craig Lambert]

Doesn't sound out of control at all. How much flow is in the tank?

[Mr31415]

2 x Tunze Stream 6200 on Multicontroller and a 3000l/h return pump

[Craig Lambert]

Originally posted by Mr31415
2 x Tunze Stream 6200 on Multicontroller and a 3000l/h return pump

What size tank? How many times per hour does this turn the tank over?

[Mr31415]

I did mention the tank size...

550l - so turnover is about 4 times I'd say - taking head hight and loss through chiller in to account. I try to make up for that with the two tunzes moving about 15000l/h.

[Frick-n-Frags]

do you have any snails or mithrax(or whatever algae picker) crabs in there?

[Mr31415]

I have several large Turbos (about 5), several large Turban (I think) snals (about 3), about 6 small turbo snails and a couple of astreas (about 3).

Then there is about 7 hermit crabs...

[Mr31415]

What worries me is this:

[petoonia]

I would try adding some more cleanup crew. Try getting an assortment of snails and hermits. 1 or 2 emerald crabs, maybe a lettuce nudibranch.

How often do you remove some of the chaeto to allow new growth?

[Mr31415]

I remove cheato about once every two months - whenever it looks crowded...

[jheath]

I agree, you may need to beef up your cleanup crew...on a 75 gal tank, you should have at least 150-175 mix of snails-crabs-stars etc....

[Mr31415]

I have read that using the "snail per gallon" rule is a sure cause for death of the creatures...

What I think I need is creatures that will actually eat pink cotton algae and hair algae.... Nothing in my tank - not even my urchin - eats that.

[Mr31415]

PS: I have about 8 brittle stars, 3 small lobsters, 7 cleaner shrimp, 1 boxer shrimp, 1 urchin in that tank too...

[petoonia]

I tend to go with 1 snail for every 2 gallons. I have about 25 snails in my 65G tank, and about 15 hermit crabs. So far they are doing a good job. I really like the banded trochus snail they eat the hair algae that grows in my tank.

If I were you I would add about 30 snails and 20 hermits. Try to get smaller hermits, and be sure to add empty shells for them to move into as they grow. See how the tank looks in a few weeks then if neccessary add more.


Good Luck!!!

[Mr31415]

I lost about 6 snails when I moved about 4 months ago so yes maybe it is time to add some more.

I used to have a Dolabela (Sea Hare) - which did wonders, but she died many months ago for no apparent reason.