Green Dust Algae bad!!!

[Novi]

Ok my tank is faily new (4 weeks). All my readings are great. But when I come home from work everyday I have green dust Algae all over my glass BAD!!! I have a 1 Vortech MP40w and my Mag. 9.5 return for flow. Could it be I have lack of flow?

My lights are 8x54w T5 ATI Powermodule. I have the lights on for 10 hours a day. They are 6 inches above my water. My only inhabitants are 30 snails and a couple coral frags. All are doing fine and look good. Also I use a RO/DI and my water is 0 on the TDS meter.

Could this just be because the tank is so new? Lack of flow? Too much lighting? Maybe all of that?

What do you guys recommend?

 

My tests:

Salinity: 1.024

Temp: 78-79

Ammonia: 0

Nitrates: 0

Nitrites: 0

Phos: 0

PH: 8.0

Dkh: 8.2

Cal: 400

Mag: 1100

Edited March 5, 2010 by Novi

[Mountaineer]

Ok my tank is faily new (4 weeks). All my readings are great. But when I come home from work everyday I have green dust Algae all over my glass BAD!!! I have a 1 Vortech MP40w and my Mag. 9.5 return for flow. Could it be I have lack of flow?

My lights are 8x54w T5 ATI Powermodule. I have the lights on for 10 hours a day. They are 6 inches above my water. My only inhabitants are 30 snails and a couple coral frags. All are doing fine and look good. Also I use a RO/DI and my water is 0 on the TDS meter.

Could this just be because the tank is so new? Lack of flow? Too much lighting? Maybe all of that?

What do you guys recommend?

 

My tests:

Salinity: 1.024

Temp: 78-79

Ammonia: 0

Nitrates: 0

Nitrites: 0

Phos: 0

PH: 8.0

Dkh: 8.2

Cal: 400

Mag: 1100

 

Has your tank had a confirmed cycle? Did you see ammonia go up and then back down followed by a spike in Nitrites up and then down?

[Novi]

Has your tank had a confirmed cycle? Did you see ammonia go up and then back down followed by a spike in Nitrites up and then down?

 

Oh yeah. All that happend in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd week.

[Jan]

How old are your lights? If they over a year old then consider replacing them. I would also consider increasing the magnesium to 1500. I've noticed that ever since I had bryopsis and got rid of it by increasing my mag to 1500+ I don't have a problem with algae. I have to clean it off the glass maybe once a week. do you do weekly water changes? Changing water at least once a week also helps.

 

 

Ok my tank is faily new (4 weeks). All my readings are great. But when I come home from work everyday I have green dust Algae all over my glass BAD!!! I have a 1 Vortech MP40w and my Mag. 9.5 return for flow. Could it be I have lack of flow?

My lights are 8x54w T5 ATI Powermodule. I have the lights on for 10 hours a day. They are 6 inches above my water. My only inhabitants are 30 snails and a couple coral frags. All are doing fine and look good. Also I use a RO/DI and my water is 0 on the TDS meter.

Could this just be because the tank is so new? Lack of flow? Too much lighting? Maybe all of that?

What do you guys recommend?

 

My tests:

Salinity: 1.024

Temp: 78-79

Ammonia: 0

Nitrates: 0

Nitrites: 0

Phos: 0

PH: 8.0

Dkh: 8.2

Cal: 400

Mag: 1100

[Novi]

How old are your lights? If they over a year old then consider replacing them. I would also consider increasing the magnesium to 1500. I've noticed that ever since I had bryopsis and got rid of it by increasing my mag to 1500+ I don't have a problem with algae. I have to clean it off the glass maybe once a week. do you do weekly water changes? Changing water at least once a week also helps.

 

Everything is brand new, lights, skimmer, pumps, everything. I do Bi-weekly water changes. I actually just did a 30 Gallon water change Monday night.

I use Tropic Marin Bio-Actif Salt.

[Novi]

Everything is brand new, lights, skimmer, pumps, everything. I do Bi-weekly water changes. I actually just did a 30 Gallon water change Monday night.

I use Tropic Marin Bio-Actif Salt.

 

I ment I will do Bi-weekly water changes. I recently just did my 1st water change after my cycle finished cycle.

[zygote2k]

Start getting in the habit of doing 10% water changes on a weekly basis for starters. It's way easier to keep water parameters stable.

don't worry about the green algae, it's just part of the algae cycle that no one told you about. Eventually as your tank matures, you'll see different algae growing in different places. As long as you maintain optimal water quality, these algae outbreaks won't get out of hand.

I think you should maintain your current course. You're doing just fine.

[onux20]

don't worry about the green algae, it's just part of the algae cycle that no one told you about. Eventually as your tank matures, you'll see different algae growing in different places. As long as you maintain optimal water quality, these algae outbreaks won't get out of hand.

I think you should maintain your current course. You're doing just fine.

+1-ish

[Novi]

Do you guys think I should cut back on my lighting a little bit? Maybe add another powerhead for increased flow?

[Jan]

Oooohhhh. I didn't know this was a new set up. Disregard what I wrote. The algae is all part of cycling. It will be alright. +1 to what Rob said about water changes.

 

Everything is brand new, lights, skimmer, pumps, everything. I do Bi-weekly water changes. I actually just did a 30 Gallon water change Monday night.

I use Tropic Marin Bio-Actif Salt.

[Coral Hind]

Do you guys think I should cut back on my lighting a little bit? Maybe add another powerhead for increased flow?

 

The photoperiod would be determined by the corals you have so you need to give us details about them before we can recommend any change to the lights.

 

Like it was already mentioned, this is a normal phase of a new tank. Some phosphate remover would help and an extra powerhead would not hurt if you have one laying around. What skimmer do you have? Make sure the skimmer is running up to par and slightly wet for now.

[Novi]

I have some zoo frags and a Hammer Coral Frag. My skimmer is a My Reef Creations MR2. It has been pulling some nasties out of the water and I run it 24/7.

I think I will pick up another powerhead this weekend and see if that helps as well as doing weekly water changes. Thanks alot fellas!

[Coral Hind]

IMO until you keep more light demanding corals like SPS you could cut the lights back to 8 hours. No so much for the algae issue but to save some bulb life and electricity.

[lanman]

Is this green 'dust' only on the glass? That is pretty normal. Just use your magnetic tank scrubber every day. If it gets 'hard' - use a scraper; but don't wait too long.

 

bob

[Novi]

I picked up another Vortecj Mp40w and I now have them both sync'd up. It's helping a little bit but the tank is still very cloudy and greenish. I also picked up a Nextreef MR1 and am using rowaphos to see if it helps. Is this something that will just go away on its own with time or do you guys think something else might help? I just want that beautiful crystal clear look most of you have.

[Jan]

Do you use carbon? You may want to look into and consider using a couple of units of chemi pure elite. I use it and it keeps the water crystal clear, helps reduce nitrates and phosphates. It really polishes the water.

 

I picked up another Vortecj Mp40w and I now have them both sync'd up. It's helping a little bit but the tank is still very cloudy and greenish. I also picked up a Nextreef MR1 and am using rowaphos to see if it helps. Is this something that will just go away on its own with time or do you guys think something else might help? I just want that beautiful crystal clear look most of you have.

[Novi]

Ok.... The nextreef Phos reactor and the rowaphos completely eliminated the green algae dust!! As well as polish my water!!! I am so stoked that it worked!!

[lanman]

Wow... that was fast! If you are going to keep using carbon or phos remover - you might consider 'Filter-Fine Aquatics'. He is local, and both his carbon and phos remover are really good products. They better be - I have like 5 gallons of each!

 

http://ffaquatics.com/shop/

 

bob

[Jan]

Isn't this place great? You're never going to get the kind of support and rapid reponses that you get on WAMAS anywhere else. 24/7 there's always at least 1 person available to help you out with good sound advice. Truly a great group.

[treesprite]

Just so I don't feel so ignorant, what is "green dust algae"? I've never heard the term before, and all that enters my mind is green diatoms which is something I've never seen.

[Novi]

Green Dust Algae is basically a really fine film of algae that only shows up on your glass. No where else. And it makes your water look green. Yeah real great group of people here!! The rowaphos really did an excellent job. I mean I still have alittle bit but its alot better than it was and its like you guys said.... its a new tank and I am sure i will battle many things. Its all part of the hobby

 

Thanks Bob I will def. check them out my next go around. Where are they located at and do they have a retail store or online only?

Edited March 7, 2010 by Novi

[treesprite]

Green Dust Algae is basically a really fine film of algae that only shows up on your glass. No where else. And it makes your water look green.

Oh, ok, thanks for the info. I am familiar with slippery green stuff and hard green stuff on the glass, but not anything that is like dust. Does it make the water itself green, or just look green trying to look through the glass?

[Novi]

Oh, ok, thanks for the info. I am familiar with slippery green stuff and hard green stuff on the glass, but not anything that is like dust. Does it make the water itself green, or just look green trying to look through the glass?

 

It just makes the tank have a greenish hue. But the water itself is not green. But since I have been running the phos reactor and increased my flow it's looking alot better!