Never ending algae

Okay, so for the past month or 2, I've been dealing with a large amount f algae in both of my tanks. At first I would just clean it off, and it'd be back in about 2 days, I thought this was normal for a newer tank (38g) but not for my 1 year reef tank...so I've been doing 20% water changes weekly for the past month and a half, and still no improvement! I've about had it, I can't keep up with how fast it's growing! It's not hair algae, it's just a green algae that only grows on the glass. I'm thinking about putting a uv sterilizer on the reef, and a protein skimmer on the fowlr. Does a protein skimmer reduce algae growth? What size powerhead should I get for a 9w uv sterilizer? Ohh and I've had my water tested weekly at my lfs and there is nothing wrong...any help will be GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

Bump

 

Green film algae? What snails do you have? Also try some stomattela snails, mine eat the stuff like no tomorrow.

 

Snails don't keep up with this stuff, and I don't have any inverts in my fowlr. But what about my questions?

 

Unless you are running a low nutrient system, with use of bio-pellets, carbon dosing..... it is common and I do not consider it a bad thing. I would try a skimmer before a UV, as the skimmer will remove DOC which may be contributing to it's growth. I use a mag-float and snails to take care of mine. I usually have to clean it off every other day and I allow it grow in certain areas to feed my stomattellas.

 

Are you using GFO?