yellowy greeny brownie algae stuff, yukk

[kellane1]

Hi all.
Have recently established (3 weeks) a 6ft saltwater tank, have only two fish in it and some small amount of LR. About a week ago i added the lighting which consists of 4 three foot flouro's, two are coral lights (blue} and two are the normal white light.
I added some new LR today and noticed that the other LR and all the shell substrate is now covered in this disgusting yellowy, brownie green algae? , at least that is what i think it is..
Is there an easy way to get rid of it?? am i running the lights to long (approx 15hrs} and how do i avoid ever getting it again, and is it detrimental to my tank..
thanks in advance
kell

 

[reefrunner69]

to AquariumAdvice.com!!!

Does the algae come off easily? Does it come off in sheets? Can we get a picture of the algae?

 

[pecan2phat]

120 watts for a 6-footer (125g +) is probably bare minimum lighting. So I don't think that high lighting is the problem. 15 hours is probably a bit long. If your actinics and daylights are on separate circuits, you can stagger the the actinics to come on for 12 hours and the daylights for 8 hours. The small amount of LR, was it cured or uncured? Probably excess nutrients dying off from the LR which is causing the algae. Test your water for phosphate & nitrates and this will give you a good idea of the parameters.

 

[Gauge]

It's typical to get an algae bloom (cyanobacteria or otherwise) after a cycle... at least, in my experience. I'd give the snails some time to work on it and perhaps use a scrubber if it gets on the glass. If it continues, then worry about it.

 

[kellane1]

yes algae will come off easily, is sort of a slime and will rub off with your `thumb