HELP nasty algae

GFO will help to reduce the phosphates to help slow/stop the growth...are you using tap water? What do your parameters look like?

 

Water quality is going to be the problem. Either Nitrates or Phosphates. We need your params plus how many/ size of fish? Water change frequency and amount? In the short term water changes are the answer but AP is right a phosphate reactor can help dramatically if the problem is phosphates. Bad or old bulbs can also contribute or be the problem.
But if you are using tap water, like was mentioned, this will be the first thing to change.
Hope this helps.

 

How is your flow. You can have issues like this with bad flow even if you have very good water quality... I know I did on my nano until I put a koralia powerhead in it and everything has been fine since.

 

Start using R/O water and get your self some turbo snails.

 

And consider ditching the BioBalls. Nitrate factories they are ...

 

How big is your tank? Looks can be deceiving but it looks too small to do a 30g water change at one time? Have you done any readings on your water ever? Maybe a year ago and then something closer to today? I ask because your TDS may be higher now than it was even a year ago. If your problem is from high phosphates which happen to be in your tap water, your water changes probably are only supplying the buggers with more nutrients. Also, as mentioned before, turbos do a great job sucking all the algae up, I have had good luck with hermits as well. I had a small algae bloom when my tanks cycled but it is all but gone now with the introduction of the snails..

 

Doesn't it seem like there's always something going on in our tanks?

I can't see your tank in person, but it appears to be a diatom outbreak from the pictures (could still be algae - can't tell).

Couple things:

1. You use the same water source in several tanks - are they all salt?  If they're all saltwater and this is the only tank with problems, it leads away from the water as the issue, but if they're all fresh but this, it could be the water.  Either way, fresh or salt, RO/DI is better although many people have great success on tap water.

2. You just went from a 30 to a 55?  How long was the 30 established and how deep was the sand bed that you just disturbed (assuming you moved it)?
3. When you went from the 30 to 55, was there any chance of die off from the move?

4. Where are the bioballs from?  Bioballs don't create nitrates on their own, but if they aren't properly maintained they can create nitrates when dirty.  You didn't test nitrates so we can't assume that you have a nitrate problem.
Unfortunately, if it is in fact diatoms and not an algae, there's no rhyme or reason to how long it will last - some people go 2-3 days, some several months.
-Eric

 

Bioballs are only nitrate factories if you don't maintain them properly. Rinse them every 2 to 3 months. Replace half once a year. No nitrate problems.

 

Very true, but most people don't due this maintenance or at least don't do it month after month and year after year. Bioballs seem to be another thing in this hobby people start with and end up ditching because there are better ways with less maintenance, myself included. Good live rock, a deep sand bed (big debate on sand bed I realize) and a good sump/refugium kick bio balls in the keister, especially in the long run. IMHO
Sorry to stray, you are getting very good advice. Keep going down this path and you will solve your problem.

 

I can just about pinpoint your problem. Moving old sand is the number one issue when it comes to algae, in my opinion sand is the devil.

 

Posted By bzishka on 03/28/2009 09:46 PM
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You have a silicate  issue
I have poor vision,Is this rock from  a creek?
I belive this is your source...

 

Im alittle confused on what those big pebble rocks are for?  I would get those out of there and grab some live rock rubble this will help. Those rocks are not doing anything other than adding weight and causing problems

 

I wouldnt use the bio balls either like glaspie69 and if you do use them I wouldnt be rinsing them off every time you change the filter.

 

Important note! If you do rinse you bio-balls use tank water! Never use tap or other sources. However, cleaning your balls every once in while is very important. Just make sure to use tank water to get the gunk off.
But better yet, just get rid of them completely.