Algae identification/problem

[Schlagg]

I'm trying to identify if this is a problem and if it requires treatment. This is my first aquarium (started in February) and this started to persist about a month ago. Fish inhabitants seem ok, but firefish are pretty hardy.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It looks like a little cyano bacteria growing.

The stuff on the rocks is a common algae. Probaly time to get a few more snails.

 

[Schlagg]

(How)Should I treat?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The cyano is prett common in a new tank. Part of the ugly phase. So sand cleaning , a little good bottled bacteria to bolster the bio filter. Watch how much your feeing, and some Extra water changes.

 

[Schlagg]

I fear that I'm feeding too much Mysis shrimp for the four fish, any recommendations?

Also, how do you go about the sand cleaning?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I do like to mix up the different foods just for diversity. And it's a bit of trial and error on the amounts. You'll get the hang of it.

We're talking about cleaning sand over here right now.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stiring-sand-bed.314478/

Just go slow if you haven done it yet.

 

[Schlagg]

Thank you so much for chiming in on this - makes me feel a lot better. I don't have any snails (or any invertebrates for that matter). Any suggestions?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Your welcome.
A lot of good people have helped me.
Here's one.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/#post-3063945

It'll say in the article , but each snail has some specialty. So a combo is a good idea. Meat eaters for the sand and grazers for algaes.

 

[jd371]

Also, how do you go about the sand cleaning?

I take a turkey baster and stick into the sand and give it a few small squeezes to get the surface of the sand to percolate a little, I also use a rake and stir the sand a little bit. Be careful when doing this in the future when your tank is more established and if your sand bed is over 4" because of gasses that build up that you don't want to release into the tank. At the deepest point in my tank the sand is about 3", I clean the sand in sections not all at once. In the future if you add corals they will like it when you clean the sand, at least mine do because I get a feeding response from them when I clean the sand.
Salty pretty much covered everything else, welcome to the ugly phase of your tank. We've all been there.

 

[Schlagg]

So, I started disturbing the surface of the sand as part of the daily routine. Went to the local fish store and bought 4 Nassarius snails, and 5 Astraea snails. We'll see how they acclimate to their new environment. Switched the food up from Mysis shrimp to some algae based food - any other advice?