Basics: Pest Algae problems

[~Flighty~]

Say you met someone at a party who said they had a reef tank with algae problems. They don't know all that much about the hobby, and they are having issues.

What are a few things you would ask them or suggest to start tackling the problem?

 

[S Hunter]

Do you have good flow in the tank, how old are your lights, do you test your water and what were the readings, what do you keep your temp at, water changes, are you doing them and how often and how much, are you running carbon in your tank, don’t over feed, do you have the right cleanup crew, how many fish do you have.

 

[TomD]

+ what kind of skimmer, where is it ie. sand, rocks, is the tank getting any direct sunlight? What kind of food and how often,

 

[Jim Tansey]

In addition to the other good suggestions I am a firm believer in keeping the alkalinity up (about 11.5 dKH).

Jim

 

[fanaglethebagle]

There was a girl at my school who had a saltwater tank (29g) that was algae covered and everything died (dory, gill, bubbles) exept for nemo.
she did not have snails.
she had no liverock or flow.
I told her to buy some snails and pumps and liverock. She just got rid of the tank because another dory died.
I hate people.

 

[JayM]

To quote comedian Ron White:

"You can't fix stupid"

 

[this is me]

I would ask them if they're familiar with reef central or brs.

 

[JayM]

I would say water param checks are a first, then lighting, then bioload, then skimmer, then cleanup crew, then flow......

Then post a Help Me post on BRS, and get some answers

 

[Moe_K]

I'd ask if they were using tap water.
I'd ask if they check their nitrates and phosphates.