How do I fix this algae growth?

[namlessdude]

When you say "top up", you mean top off? If so, I wouldn't stay on a weekly schedule as that would mean bigger salinity swings than if you did it daily as needed.

Water changes should be faithful, weekly and 20% of the tank total capacity.

As you mentioned, at the time of the water change is a good time to scrape glass, vacuum substrate and rinse out filter media.

Weekly maintenance on a tank that size shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes once you get into a routine.

If that means a healthier tank then i can make this a weekend ritual! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Dom]

If that means a healthier tank then i can make this a weekend ritual! Thanks for the advice!

Amazing how well a tank that size does just with regular weekly water changes.

 

[Jipolley]

Hey,

I am helping my uncle cycle his tank through a fishless cycle. The tank has 3 rocks that were moved over from a 7 year old tank. The sand was also live sand.

The tank has been developing an insane amount of algae (check pics). Some of the rocks even have oxygen bubbles on it. We have kept the lights off but the tank sits right by a window and sunlight is very strong. Phosphate level is between 1 and 3 so it's high.
Nitrite and ammonia is 0 but nitrate is at 5. How can we get rid of that algae? Does it go by itself like diatomes or are these different?
Is it dangerous to add a damsel in yet?

Chiming in a little late... To maintain the "live" rock you need to have nutrients for it (Fish waste). When my friend brought his 3 year old live rock into my new system he said I need to get a damsel in the next 24 hours or the bacteria would die off. I got 2 damsels and my cycle has been going well. Definitely have some algae, but thats expected

 

[namlessdude]

Chiming in a little late... To maintain the "live" rock you need to have nutrients for it (Fish waste). When my friend brought his 3 year old live rock into my new system he said I need to get a damsel in the next 24 hours or the bacteria would die off. I got 2 damsels and my cycle has been going well. Definitely have some algae, but thats expected

There is definitely food for the rocks. I am just very annoyed from all the algae growing on the glass that isnt stopping

 

[Solo McReefer]

Algae on the glass rarely never stops

That's, for most reefers, a daily chores

Welcome to the reefing hobby

 

[Jipolley]

There is definitely food for the rocks. I am just very annoyed from all the algae growing on the glass that isnt stopping

Get some snails, my buddy gave me some from his tank and they are great for keeping algae down. It took them 2-3 days to adapt to the new tank, but since then they have been eating a ton of algae

 

[ScottF]

I actually am not sure what it was but i think i solved the problem for now. I cleaned out my filter and took out the rocks and brushed them with hot water and a toothbrush until there is almost no sign. I then took my fish net and went through the sand which helped leave the sand bed on the floor and only pickup the algae. Its been a week or more now and there's no significant regrowth. I added 2 clowns and some snails which has been going well.

You brushed your rocks with hot water? What kind of water? Hot tap water?

This seems like a bad idea to me unless you are starting from scratch and don't want to start with live rock. Even if that is your intention, you will probably have deal with die off on the rock if you scrubbed it with hot chlorinated tap water.

I am also dealing with an algae bloom in my new 250 gallon tank. I may not be the best person to give advice, but my strategy is to expand my cleanup crew (tangs, foxface, snails, crabs, urchin..), some manual removal and patience.

I would rather have to go through an extended bloom now and let everything balance out than to starve the algae or kill it with chemicals just have it come back or some other plague set in.