Need help with algae

[wolt]

What type of algae is this and what should I do about it

 

[wolt]

Bump

 

[NashobaTek]

Looks like green hair algae to me.

 

[wolt]

What do you think I should do about it I’ve been feeding less and turning lights off earlier. I’m also getting a skimmer in 3 days

 

[Pistondog]

+1 to gha
I'd suggest a rabbitfish if tank is 100 gallons or so. Or starry blenny.
Maybe post nitrate and phosphate levels to see if those are contributing.
The skimmer will definitely help.

 

[Rp8]

+1 for @Pistondog

 

[wolt]

I actually have a starry blenny and two fangs and a long spine urchin my tank is also only 75 so I can’t get rabbit fish

 

[Pistondog]

I actually have a starry blenny and two fangs and a long spine urchin my tank is also only 75 so I can’t get rabbit fish

If you feed less, the blenny will look for other food and perhaps find the algae.
I got a filefish for aptasia that wouldn't do his job until other food was less available.

 

[wolt]

I have actually seen the blenny eating the algae but I don’t think it’s enough to help

 

[wolt]

I have also read that covering the red and green lenses on the light will help with the algae

 

[Privateye]

I agree that the nitrate and phosphate readings would be essential information. I also second the skimmer idea if you don't already have one. They can work wonders.

 

[Pistondog]

I have also read that covering the red and green lenses on the light will help with the algae

And white.
There are many posts that support this, when you have a light with adjustable spectrum.
For you, that is a good plan unless there is a dial to adjust color.

 

[wolt]

Here’s nitrate I will test phosphate in the morning

 

[Pistondog]

Here’s nitrate I will test phosphate in the morning

View attachment 1727386

Not so bad, but enough to grow algae.
Do you run a refugium?

 

[Privateye]

Good ol' API kits. "It's 5ish10ish20ish" lol. I use them too though. So you have some notable nitrate, but nothing too insane. How about the skimmer? It would probably help a bit with the removal since proteins contain nitrogen. Especially combined with some brushing. How deep is the sand? I like to keep 2-3 inches in most tanks to allow for some denitrification. There are other ways to promote it, but it's a simple one.

 

[wolt]

No but I’m thinking about doing a small DIY one

 

[wolt]

My sanbed is like 3 inches

 

[Pistondog]

No but I’m thinking about doing a small DIY one

I'd suggest an algae scrubber.
Or
To export nutrients.

 

[Privateye]

DIY skimmers with air stones tend to skim extra wet, or unreliably, but all skimmers need some attention from time to time and the price is right. I have a little Eshopps in-tank skimmer in my 20 gallon. It attaches by magnet and does a great job if the prefilter stays clean. A Coralife Super Skimmer handles my 90 gallon and it's in the sump. I ran it as a hang-on for a couple of years, but after a snail or two crawled up the return pipe and it overflowed, I moved it to the sump.

 

[Funston07]

I'd suggest an algae scrubber.
Or
To export nutrients.

Thats a nifty little device