Chemical Treatment of Algae.

I know that it's not recommended to use chemicals to fix algae problems but I have some corals that have algae attacking them and it's impossible to get the algae off of them. I'd like to know if there is a chemical I can use that is safe for corals. I'd like to treat these corals in a seperate tank so as not to get the chemical into my DT. Please lemme know if anyone knows what I can use.

 

I'm not aware of a chemical additive that does the trick, while posing no threat to other tank inhabitants. I'm afraid there may be no shortcuts in this hobby.

Look to decrease nitrates and phoshphates. Make sure ammonia and nitrites are zero. A reactor running some iron-based phosphate removing media and some carbon is good. Small, repeated water changes is probably better. Aragonite based sand is bette than crushed coral. Dirty bioballs can be the culprit, too. Be sure flourescent lights aren't too old--their wavelength deteriorates into one that encourages algal growth. If you use mechanical filtration, make sure you're changing the media at least once a week.

Good luck.

 

Your sig says "currently cycling". is this still accurate?

 

LOL nope... I've had the tank up for over a year now. I am running phosban in a reactor. The bulbs are fairly new. Phosphate kit has never read anything other than zero. Nitrate is under 10ppm. I never know why the hell I have algae. I only have one fish in there right now. A mandarin goby !!!!!!!!!!!!! Which I don't feed. So where could the phosphates be coming from? Oh I have RO/DI unit and a TDS meter which reads 0ppm on my RO/DI...

 

There is a chemical. Well not a chemical because it is totally natural. It's called Marine S.A.T. it worked for me. I bought it at LFS.

 

I hate to recommend a chemical for your tank and reefsparky is correct, there are really no short cuts however you can try Ultra Algae X by Tropic Marin. There is a huge thread on this product on Reef Central. Try accessing this link. Reef Central Online Community - Ultra Algae X?

The long term battle will be won with the removal of po4, no3, excess nutrients silicates etc etc

 

Rhowpos I recall was very succesful in helping me with a hair algae problem some years ago - I went through all the normal routines - removal, scrubbing etc but never got on top of it - My test kit at the time read 0 - PO4 but was advised that in all probabilty the algae was using it as fast as it was generated anyway - treated with Rhowphos twice - and the algae initially stopped growing faster than I could remove it and thereafter receded

 

It is feeding off of something and it just might be the nitrates in your tank. Manualy removing it will help cause it will ultimitly remove what it is feeding off of by what it alreadly has fed off of. If that makes any sense. But basicly it is its own filter you just have to get it out. I would recomend scrubing the rocks with old tank water from a fresh change then adding a good cleaning crew snails and hermits. If you think you are up for it a tang will defitnitly clean house. good luck. The battle may one day be over but the war on algae will always live on.

 

I agree with everything except adding a tang they are a pop factory and will only add to the problem more then solve it. although don't get me wrong tangs are beautiful fish.