New Heavy Algae Growth

[jimn]

Hello all..New member to this forum.
Tank info: 54 gallon corner tank, approx 90lb LR, NO substrate, using homemade wet/dry filter, 2 1700 power heads, currently 3 inhabitants (1 perc clown, 2 cardinals). After a long battle with extremely high nitrates, I finally lowered the levels to zero. (but we all know this will not last too long) nitrate levels now at 40ppm, phosphates at .4-.8ppm, ph is good, nitrite is zero, amonia is zero and calcium is, unfortunately, off the chart (12 drops of reagent to change the color)
The main question is this: I now have this bright green algae growing in certain spots on the rock and also on the glass bottom. I also have a tremendous amount of dark, deep maroon colored algae growing on the glass, the bottom and on some of the rocks. Anybody have any ideas about the algaes? Green...good or bad? and what kind of algae is it. Also the same for the deep maroon colored algea. Good or bad? what kind of algae is it.
If a pic is necessary I will certainly upload one tomorrow.
Thanks in advance
-Jim

[Condiman]

I believe the marroon colored stuff is red slime it is caused by excess nutrients in the system and not enough watermovement in certain areas. Yes this can be a bad algae because it can smother things quite quickly.

[jimn]

Hey I bet you would probably like to know a little about the lighting too. HUH? Using a full actinic, 65k trichromatic and newly introduced 70w MH. After the addition of the MH is when I noticed the repid algae growth. I expected this (that is why I introduced the new light) But I am just not sure about the quality of the algae.

That's it again

-Jim

[MikeS]

your nitrates and phosphates are definately the culprit behind your cyano bloom.

get both of those to zero and starve the cyano....

Mike

[Charles Poole]

I would eliminate any bio-balls or other biological media in you wet-dry filter. Do this in several sessions. This will give you liverock a chance to get used to the increased loads.

Do you run a skimmer? Phosphate concentrations can be elevated by low oxygen concentrations. By adding a skimmer to marine system, you get the benefit of increased aeration and Phosphate removal. Overfeeding is the major cause of Phosphate import in most systems. When in doubt, cut back on feeding a little.

One water change is not likely to bring down the level of Nitrate or Phosphate, except in nano reefs. For most of us, a series of 15% water changes, performed in 3-4 day intervals would be much more reasonable. This allows the tanks inhabitants to adjust to the changing levels, without causing the any more distress.

HTH

Chuck

[jimn]

I can't upload my pix because of size. So, here is my website link to get a view of the tank. The pix are not great but you will get the idea.

Thank you to all who have replied.


-Jim

my pictures are here http://www.yoursaftnet.com/tankgallery

[Charles Poole]

That is Cyanobacteria to the best of my identification.

That is not a very severe amount from my personal experiences, so reducing this stuff should be fairly easy.

My suggestion is to reposition a powerhead to direct a small amount of its flow more towards this area. If a powerhead is already focused on this area, then either siphon the algae out, or add a larger powerhead.

What do you guys think?

[MikeS]

looks like cyano to me

Mike

[Paidbychrist0825]

id go with chuck's recommendation and scrape it up and sipohon it out... no better way to get something out than to take it out yourself(sept if youve got some critters that will eat it :) )