Nuisance Algae Control

If you list the type and the number of snails you have i can advise you better.

Also what is the spectrum of your bulbs? You have a big tank. Im thinking either you have 10,000K lights thats accelerating the problem or your cleanup crew is not enough to do the job.

 

I have 2x65 watt 10,000k PCs and 2x65 watt 10,000k Actinics. I don't have many snails. I have about 8 Turbo snails, 2 sand conchs, and 3 Astreas. There are also a couple Nassarius, but they don't eat algae. The snails aren't the extent of the cleanup crew. There are also about 10 scarlet and blue legged reef hermits and 4 emerald crabs.

 

Im pretty sure its your lighting. You don't need so many at 10,000K.

I only have one 10,000K 54W HO bulb

Are you sure your actinics are 10,000K? Either way you should get higher spectrum if available. Like 14000,15000.

 

Actually, I'm not sure if the actinics are. The actinic bulbs just say 65w, and until now I just assumed 10,000k. Im not actually sure.

 

just wondering, what are your water params? When my nitrates were insane, algae grew fast and all over. On my glass was the green stuff that, on my rocks and CC was a purple "blanket" that would try to take over.

Lots of changes later, my water is better and the algae (for me) is no longer an issue.

 

Ammonia-0ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Nitrate~10ppm
SG-1.024
Temp-79-80
I actually do not have a phosphate test kit, which I should get.

 

How fast does this algae grow and how often do you clean it off of the glass?

 

This algae grows rather slowly. I only clean it every couple weeks, but I definitely could clean it more.

 

Hello, the lights are confusing. I believe you have 10,000k "blue light" not actinic. Actinic will be 420 or 460. You will want to add the true actinic. I believe the algae is nothing more than Green Diatom algae. Until you replace the bulbs (or even after) add a few Margarita snails, they will clean that up.

 

I just checked the bulbs and they say "65 Watt Actinic". The bulbs don't say if the lights are 10,000k or what. I will add margarita snails.