Looking for advice for my algae issue

[Losirk]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice for my algae issue. I have a Fluval 32.5 Nitrates are 10ppm, I assume a lot of it is caught up in the algae. Stock is 2x Pajama Cardinals, 1x Clown, 1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 1x Royal Gramma, few dozen snails of all varieties.

I have tried algaefix but it did not work as well as I wanted, and am slowly killing off my snail population with the product. I aerate my tank with a large 12" oxygen bar in the filter chamber.

Params are within typical acceptable ranges. Tank cycled 2 years ago.

I have no crabs as they wage wars and tap on the glass when I try to sleep. They also kick the snails' *****. The algae comes off pretty easy with a turkey baster, except for the more formed bunches. I am not willing to add crabs to the system.

I have considered removing all substrate with algae and adding it to a peroxide solution, while manually removing all algae from back plastic panel.

Wondering if there are any nano fish that could help eliminate this algae, can't keep any blennies as I do not have a lid.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Below are pictures:

 

[Knucker]

I try to avoid algae killers as it will most likely harm corals because they have algae in their cells. It looks like film algae maybe some hair mixed in. Grab yourself a good sand sifter or sand vacuum. Grab some more snails.

Your Nitrates are a little high but nothing dangerous. 5ppm is normal 10ppm is a little high. Check your Phosphates as well. I would suggest a court jester Goby, and a sand sifter Goby but you don't have a lid.

 

[Losirk]

I try to avoid algae killers as it will most likely harm corals because they have algae in their cells. It looks like film algae maybe some hair mixed in. Grab yourself a good sand sifter or sand vacuum. Grab some more snails.

Your Nitrates are a little high but nothing dangerous. 5ppm is normal 10ppm is a little high. Check your Phosphates as well. I would suggest a court jester Goby, and a sand sifter Goby but you don't have a lid.

I could look into making a DIY mesh lid. Shouldn't be too hard. Thank you for your advice!

 

[Knucker]

I could look into making a DIY mesh lid. Shouldn't be too hard. Thank you for your advice!

Better and easier to do is get a couple of acrylic sheets and use them as a lid. Helps keep evaporation down. And it has little to no effect on the par. Just make sure you grab some that are the dimensions of your tank.

 

[UMALUM]

I try to avoid algae killers as it will most likely harm corals because they have algae in their cells. It looks like film algae maybe some hair mixed in. Grab yourself a good sand sifter or sand vacuum. Grab some more snails.

Your Nitrates are a little high but nothing dangerous. 5ppm is normal 10ppm is a little high. Check your Phosphates as well. I would suggest a court jester Goby, and a sand sifter Goby but you don't have a lid.

If 5 is normal and 10 is high what would you consider dangerous?

 

[Knucker]

If 5 is normal and 10 is high what would you consider dangerous?

Above 20 according to BRS

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

What is the age of the tank?
Current bioload?
How much are you feeding?
Water change schedule?

This info will help us sort out the nutrients issue.

 

[UMALUM]

What is the age of the tank?
Current bioload?
How much are you feeding?
Water change schedule?

This info will help us sort out the nutrients issue.

Why does it have to be a nutrient issue?

 

[Knucker]

Why does it have to be a nutrient issue?

Nitrates is one nutrient he is talking about SMH. Plant food is phosphates and nitrates.

 

[UMALUM]

Nitrates is one nutrient he is talking about SMH. Plant food is phosphates and nitrates.

You can shake your head all you want. 10 nitrate is nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Knucker]

You can shake your head all you want. 10 nitrate is nothing to be concerned about.

I didn't say it was

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

To the OP. Nitrate and Phos are what fuel algae. If concerned about it, we may need some more info. It could just be a new tank or it could be over feeding or a need for a better routine when it comes to maintenance or water changes.
Let us know some of you habits, routine, current age of tank, bioload, parameters, etc.

10 nitrates in a tank with no algae is probably close to 10 nitrates.

10 nitrates in a tank with a bunch of algae is probably not. It's much higher. You've mentioned this concept already so i know you get it.

Same goes for phosphates. Phosphates are important to monitor probably more so than nitrates.

There is a very wide range at which anyone can be successful. If anything, manually remove do a water change and keep at it until the tank matures. I didn't see a lot of coralline algae which means it could just be a newer tank and maturity can go a long way in reefing.

 

[UMALUM]

Both BRS and Saltwater aquarium say 20 or 30 is dangerous. Your saying they are wrong?

25 nitrate.... So yes I'm saying they're wrong.

 

[UMALUM]

OP while your at it post some info about your lights and flow. Maybe some better pics will help with an ID so bacteria and flagellates can be ruled out.

 

[MrGisonni]

20 ppm Nitrates. I aim for 15

 

[MrGisonni]

Tank Parameters Of Some Masters

Tank Parameters Of Some Masters To this day one of the most frequently asked questions I get, and actually that many “old time hobbyists” get is “How do I get rid of the algae in my tank. My first question then is “what are the parameters of...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Ziggy17]

Above 20 according to BRS

What does BRS say it’s dangerous to and how?

FWIW, BRS also tells people to use water changes to lower phosphates…

 

[Knucker]

What does BRS say it’s dangerous to and how?

FWIW, BRS also tells people to use water changes to lower phosphates…

Well if you think about it doing water changes will lower the concentration of anything in that tank. If you use pure fresh water your salt will go down.

1 parts water, 1 parts alcohol. Shake well, then remove 50% of the liquid in the container and add water. You will then have 2 parts to 1. My math might be off but you get the point.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I could look into making a DIY mesh lid. Shouldn't be too hard. Thank you for your advice!

I made a diy lid for my tank using a screen door kit at Home Depot. Cost less than $15 to do, and the only tool I used was a hacksaw to cut the frame.

 

[Freenow54]

Hello,

I am looking for some advice for my algae issue. I have a Fluval 32.5 Nitrates are 10ppm, I assume a lot of it is caught up in the algae. Stock is 2x Pajama Cardinals, 1x Clown, 1x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 1x Royal Gramma, few dozen snails of all varieties.

I have tried algaefix but it did not work as well as I wanted, and am slowly killing off my snail population with the product. I aerate my tank with a large 12" oxygen bar in the filter chamber.

Params are within typical acceptable ranges. Tank cycled 2 years ago.

I have no crabs as they wage wars and tap on the glass when I try to sleep. They also kick the snails' *****. The algae comes off pretty easy with a turkey baster, except for the more formed bunches. I am not willing to add crabs to the system.

I have considered removing all substrate with algae and adding it to a peroxide solution, while manually removing all algae from back plastic panel.

Wondering if there are any nano fish that could help eliminate this algae, can't keep any blennies as I do not have a lid.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Below are pictures:

I have a diamond goby love it. Also fluval offers all sorts of media to add to their canister filter if you don't have one you should made my 40 thrive I would think your phone high don't know