Hello Reef2Reef,
I have been struggling with a case of killer green film algae (see attached photo) for about the past 4 months. I just can't seem to kick it. So far, I have lost 3 corals to it, and it looks like my large zoa colony will be the next to go.
Background
My 32g BioCube has been up and running for about 3 years. Over the years, I think I have experienced just about every type of algae at some point (e.g., dinos, green hair, bubble, and film to name a few). Historically, my approach has been to just keep up with my 5g weekly water changes and let it works itself out. I tried to keep the same approach with this outbreak, but it seems to be getting worse instead of better.
The tank has a rather deep sand bed to support a yellow jawfish, who was a previous resident. Unfortunately, the royal gramma harassed him to death, so the jawfish is gone but the sand bed is still present. I try to keep the sand bed clean during my weekly water changes, but I suspect it became polluted over the years.
I believe the trigger for this film algae outbreak was the addition of a yellow watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp about 4 months ago. The fish and shrimp are doing really well, but the shrimp is CONSTANTLY digging. I suspect his daily shifting of the substrate is unlocking nutrients which were previously not exposed. Perhaps it is also disrupting the nitrifying bacteria?
Bio-Load
2 clowns
1 royal gramma
1 watchman goby
1 tiger pistol shrimp
1 tuxedo urchin
1 emerald crab
8 Nassarius vibex snails
9 Florida Ceriths snails
8 Nerites snails
Filtration/Equipment
Tunze nano skimmer
inTank Media with carbon, GFO, and filter floss
MightyJet return pump
Hydro wavemaker
Parameters
Temp: 78
Salinity: 1.028
pH: 8.2
Nitrate: ~0
Phosphate: 0.5
Calcium: 450
Magnesium: 1350
Alkalinity: 10.2
White light runs for 7.5 hrs.
I believe the low nitrate and phosphates may be misleading. I think the film algae that grows every day is soaking up the nutrients.
Previous Mitigation Actions
I added Vibrant two nights ago, but I have not seen any impact yet on the film algae. I will say the skimmer seems to fill up quicker now.
I swap out the filter floss every other night.
I religiously do a 5 gallon water change weekly with RO/DI water. I have been doing this for the life of the tank.
I blast the rocks and corals every night with a turkey baster and clean the glass. Until about 3 weeks ago, this seemed to keep the worst of it at bay, but it is starting to overrun all the corals.
About 2 weeks ago, I started to really reduce my feeding. I was never a heavy feeder, but now the gang is on real low cal diet.
I went to my LFS. They said I should try Chemi-Clean. I'm willing to give it a shot, but I really don't think it is going to do anything. I'm pretty sure I'm dealing with a plant, not a bacteria. I did purchase 3 astrea snails and will add them to the tank tonight.
Tentative Plan
- Keep up with the weekly 5g water changes and filter floss changes every other day.
- Continue to blast the rocks every night with the turkey baster and clean the glass.
- Continue with the Vibrant
- Reduce white light to 6 hours
- Maintain low feeding levels for the fish.
Suggestions
I read about rip cleaning the sand, but it would be a major project. I would really like to avoid tearing the whole tank apart if possible.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I am missing?
Thank you in advance!
I have been struggling with a case of killer green film algae (see attached photo) for about the past 4 months. I just can't seem to kick it. So far, I have lost 3 corals to it, and it looks like my large zoa colony will be the next to go.
Background
My 32g BioCube has been up and running for about 3 years. Over the years, I think I have experienced just about every type of algae at some point (e.g., dinos, green hair, bubble, and film to name a few). Historically, my approach has been to just keep up with my 5g weekly water changes and let it works itself out. I tried to keep the same approach with this outbreak, but it seems to be getting worse instead of better.
The tank has a rather deep sand bed to support a yellow jawfish, who was a previous resident. Unfortunately, the royal gramma harassed him to death, so the jawfish is gone but the sand bed is still present. I try to keep the sand bed clean during my weekly water changes, but I suspect it became polluted over the years.
I believe the trigger for this film algae outbreak was the addition of a yellow watchman goby and tiger pistol shrimp about 4 months ago. The fish and shrimp are doing really well, but the shrimp is CONSTANTLY digging. I suspect his daily shifting of the substrate is unlocking nutrients which were previously not exposed. Perhaps it is also disrupting the nitrifying bacteria?
Bio-Load
2 clowns
1 royal gramma
1 watchman goby
1 tiger pistol shrimp
1 tuxedo urchin
1 emerald crab
8 Nassarius vibex snails
9 Florida Ceriths snails
8 Nerites snails
Filtration/Equipment
Tunze nano skimmer
inTank Media with carbon, GFO, and filter floss
MightyJet return pump
Hydro wavemaker
Parameters
Temp: 78
Salinity: 1.028
pH: 8.2
Nitrate: ~0
Phosphate: 0.5
Calcium: 450
Magnesium: 1350
Alkalinity: 10.2
White light runs for 7.5 hrs.
I believe the low nitrate and phosphates may be misleading. I think the film algae that grows every day is soaking up the nutrients.
Previous Mitigation Actions
I added Vibrant two nights ago, but I have not seen any impact yet on the film algae. I will say the skimmer seems to fill up quicker now.
I swap out the filter floss every other night.
I religiously do a 5 gallon water change weekly with RO/DI water. I have been doing this for the life of the tank.
I blast the rocks and corals every night with a turkey baster and clean the glass. Until about 3 weeks ago, this seemed to keep the worst of it at bay, but it is starting to overrun all the corals.
About 2 weeks ago, I started to really reduce my feeding. I was never a heavy feeder, but now the gang is on real low cal diet.
I went to my LFS. They said I should try Chemi-Clean. I'm willing to give it a shot, but I really don't think it is going to do anything. I'm pretty sure I'm dealing with a plant, not a bacteria. I did purchase 3 astrea snails and will add them to the tank tonight.
Tentative Plan
- Keep up with the weekly 5g water changes and filter floss changes every other day.
- Continue to blast the rocks every night with the turkey baster and clean the glass.
- Continue with the Vibrant
- Reduce white light to 6 hours
- Maintain low feeding levels for the fish.
Suggestions
I read about rip cleaning the sand, but it would be a major project. I would really like to avoid tearing the whole tank apart if possible.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I am missing?
Thank you in advance!
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