Is Algae a big problem?

[Firereptile]

I have a 55 gallon tank that is an aspiring reef (no corals yet). Lately I have been noticing that a lot of algae has been growing on the walls, substrate, and even some on the surface. Is this even a problem? And if so what can I do about it?

 

[jason401]

What kind of algae? Can you get a picture?

 

[Flame Angel]

Hello and Welcome Aboard! It looks like you are a new member to the forum/club. Please take a moment and go to the Introductions page and tell us a little more information about yourself. For Example: How long you have been in the hobby. What do you have in your tank for fish, corals etc. What kind of water do you use and filtration. http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?53-Introductions

The question you posed may be occurring due to several known issues. Using RO/DI or tap water, over feeding, filtration.

Either way, welcome to the forum and check out the header often for local meetings and speakers. The club has it's own resources and we bring speakers into meetings to discuss issues like this and how to prevent these common problems.

Hopefully we will see you at a meeting and you can even get a more hands on answer from one of the many members that attends.

Regards,

 

[Turbosnail]

Welcome to the BRS!:w How long has the tank been setup? As stated above do you use ro/di water or tap water? How often do you do water changes? What is the algae like does it wipe right off is it hairy looking what color is it?

 

[Firereptile]

The tank has been set up for three months, I use tap water, and their is hairy algae growing on the live rock and sand as well as the kind you can wipe off growing on the glass. I feel like it is starting to recede as I added a lot of algae eating inverts.
Thanks for all the welcomes!

 

[Firereptile]

Also I do a water change every 1-2 weeks depending on whether the nitrates need to be cut down.

 

[Flame Angel]

You will want to try and keep away from the tap water and use RO/DI. That will help immensely.

 

[Overlook reef]

Welcome!

Do you have any fish?
If so what are you feeding them and how often?

Your new clean up crew will help, but I would use RO/DI water for water changes and top offs. Your tank is fairly new and will go through some stages, but keeping the Nitrates and Phosphates down will help with algae blooms.

 

[Firereptile]

I have 5 fish I feed them various frozen foods about twice a day.

 

[saltcrazy]

I would try to limit the food a bit. I use a turkey baster to feed my fish and coral so that there is less waste in the tank. Give the fish a chance to eat all of it before it hits the bottom. This will help to pollute your tank less. Welcome to the Forum!

 

[Firereptile]

I know there are machines that make RO water, what is a good one to get? Preferably on the lower end cost wise.

 

[ReefKeeper1699]

I buy my RO from the lfs for 50 cents a gallon. I bring it home in several 5 gallon buckets. My tank is 3 months as well and I have slight algea here and there but not much at all. Try using RO, doing weekly 5 gallon water changes.