Tank getting pounded by algae

Hey guys,

I have had a 55g for about 6 months and I am getting pounded by algae.

I have large amounts of cyanobacteria and what I think is bubble algae.


I used to use tap water. Which obviously doesnt help. I have moved to RODI water and running a GFO reactor and have only made a bit of a break through with the cyano. This bubble stuff is hardy as. I also have a caulerpa refugium that has 24hr light.

Everytime I do a water change I get in there and scrub all the rocks with a tooth brush and remove the algae but its back withing a day or two.

What can I do to combat this junk for good.?

Thanks guys.

 

It probably won't solve your problem, but an algae blenny would help. I like to keep a Atlantic kind of Algae blenny called a molly miller and i find they are more useful than a pacific lawnmower, although I highly doubt you would be able to find a molly miller in AU.

 

I have heard they are difficult to feed though. And most die like mandarins...

 

I've had a few lawnmowers and they usually ate flake food. The only problem with lawnmowers I've had is they were shy and did not eat much algae. Now every Molly Miller I have ever gotten was caught by me on an oil rig or in the FL keys and they are a cinch to get eating and have been very good at cleaning up algae blooms. They have tons of personality and are very good with other fish and new additions. I have really never had a problem with a molly miller, one of my favorites even if they are a bit bland in looks. They like to take food from the hands as well, which is neat

 

And apparantly can get up to 5"! Thats massive for a blenny.

 

yeah i have 2 at the moment, one is about 1 1/2" and the other is around 3 inches. If you could get a hold of one, I would buy it if I were you. My lfs recommended them to me for utility purposes and he was right, the humble Molly Miller is a great fish.

I really really need to go to bed , So Good morning to you and good night to me lol. Time differences still fascinates me.

 

I personally would stop scrubbing your rock. Your only scratching the surface anyways and most likely spreading it around.
I've had great success using Mexican Turbo snails when it comes to the turf algae. As for the bubble algae I just gently pick it off during a water change. Making sure to siphon it at the same time.
Your on the right track with the GFO. Keep it up and don't give up. Algae is tough but I'm sure your tougher

 

STOP SCRUBBING YOUR ROCKS!
If you pop one of those green bubbles, it releases its spoors and spreads like wildfire. you can remove and replace the rocks that are covered with green bubble (easiest, but most expensive method) or take it out of the tank, and CAREFULLY pull each one off, but again, if you pop it, you're really doing more harm than good. Invest in an emerald crab, they eat green bubble algae, with a pretty good success rate.

As far as the cyano, that stuff grows from too many nutrients being in the water. For example, if you're using reef crystal salt, and don’t need to be using it, then you’ll have an abundant amount of nutrients, and it will continue to grow, despite your GFO efforts.

What’s your light cycle like? And if I was you, I would have my refugium light only on when the display tank lights are off, this will help maintain a better pH level.

On a side note, algae battles are never won over night, it could literally take months to safely and securely nip this issue in the butt.

 

Interesting. I never knew that the stuff would spread if I tried to get rid of it!.

I would definately be interested in getting an emerald crab. But I also have a peppermint shrimp, a porcelain crab, and a redline cleaner shrimp. Will the emerald crab get along with them?

My light cycle is about 10 hours with some sunset and sunrise, as I have fully programmable LEDs. I have my fuge light on 24/7. My pH has been stable at 8.2 for a while now.

Yeah I have been using Red Sea Coral Pro salt.

I have been fighting this stuff for a while!.

 

What are the members of your cleaning crew, specifically the snails?

What is your phosphate level?

I agree do not scrub the rocks.

Perhaps look into an Algae Turf Scrubber rather than a refugium with macro algae set up, you can build your own.

Lastly I would still cut back the photo period as well or even consider a black out to help initially.