Red Algae

[RubixCube]

I have had my tank set up for about 5 months now and im getting the red algae on everything. What is on the go with that? I have a theory. When i first set up the tank I bought a diatom filter. I used to have it running all the time until here recently. I was thinking that the diatom may have been filtering out the necessary bacteria to enable the tank to go through the "algae blooms". Is the tank too clean? A Diatom filter will filter out even the smallest of particles. Does this make sense

 

[steve-s]

It is more than possible to have a sterile tank. I have never been an advocate of immaculate tanks just clean ones The diatom filter may be removing the food sources if run too often and reducing beneficial bacteria. They should not be used continuously. Once a week at most to polish the water would be better (or even 2x monthly).

In this case I do not think that will be the issue. Bacteria does have an effect on the overall health which reduces the organics in the tank but will not really be the direct cause. If this is cyano, your main concern will be PO4. Often introduced through unpurified water or foods.

Cheers
Steve

 

[RubixCube]

i do have some PO4 alright. What is the best way to get rid of it?

 

[steve-s]

Best way to get rid of it is with a granular PO4 sponge and increased water changes with RO water. The next step is to determine how it got there. As long as you keep introducing the PO4, the algae problems will keep coming back.

What is your water source and what foods/additives are you using?

Cheers
Steve

 

[MadManMac]

I had an unfortunate mauling of my Xenia and it too a few days to die off before I gave up hope and cut the bad part off. After that I have had a great deal of algea, some green and some cyano, where before there was very little. Could this decay do this to a 60 gallon tank? Thanks.

 

[steve-s]

Could this decay do this to a 60 gallon tank?

Depends on how much die off there was from the Xenia. If large enough there could be some contribution. I would also suggest the likelyhood that whatever caused your algae issue may have been the catalyst for the Xenia problem...

Cheers
Steve

 

[RubixCube]

i think i may be getting the PO4 from over feeding. I have an internal overflow box with a skimmer built in. Food has a tendancy to catch in the overflow and stay there. I cleaned it out lastnight and found alot of old rotting food and debris. Ill see if there is any difference now. I also did a water change lastnight too.

 

[steve-s]

Watch the ingredient list on dried foods when possible. Many will contain L-Ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate which is in most prefab animal foods (fish or otherwise) as a vitamin C source. It will also contribute to PO4 issues.

Cheers
Steve

 

[MadManMac]

Actually, the downfall of my Xenia was my Blue Regal Tang. He took a few nips and did some real damage.