Algae headache.....

[Guinness]

Of my 2 mH, 1 decided to die on me I have been too "50% busy 50% lazy" to do anything about it other than shifting most the stuff to one side of the tank. However, in 3 weeks most the exposed bits of rock are now covered in this green mossy algae growth. It is even on the underside of my bubble (although the bubble itself still looks it's normal self). The trunk of my hammers, .... basically everywhere ok

I've fixed the lighting. but still having a headache as to how to get rid of the algae. Tried 'plucking' some of it off but to limited success. Atm, the only thing I can think of is to physically remove the rocks and then scrubbing them individually. But I really wanna avoid that if possible. My other idea is to hire an entire school of algae blennies into the tank. My existing one doesn't look too interested in this particular bloom. sorry at work now, so no pics.

Any old birds out there got any good idea?

[RockyBoy]

Check your water parameters first such phosphate, and nitrates.

[Guinness]

To be very honest I ain't tested for phosphates.

Other parametres are as per normal. My water changes are pretty regular and there hasn't really been much changes in my tank for quite a long time.

This sudden bloom I really suspect due to 1 light being down, thus suddenly the conditions became favourable to this algae. Now that the light has been fixed, the situation doesn't seem to be getting worse.

But then, it ain't getting any better either. I don't think the algae will just die off and I hope not because that would likely send my nitrate lvl thru the roof too.

I got too sick of it and took a few pieces of plain rocks out to brush them. But I can't do the same to those with stuff growing on them.

Maybe I go find one giant lawnmower blenny. I think my current one too good life and don't do his job anymore GRRRRR.

[RockyBoy]

To be very honest I ain't tested for phosphates.

Other parametres are as per normal. My water changes are pretty regular and there hasn't really been much changes in my tank for quite a long time.

This sudden bloom I really suspect due to 1 light being down, thus suddenly the conditions became favourable to this algae. Now that the light has been fixed, the situation doesn't seem to be getting worse.

But then, it ain't getting any better either. I don't think the algae will just die off and I hope not because that would likely send my nitrate lvl thru the roof too.

I got too sick of it and took a few pieces of plain rocks out to brush them. But I can't do the same to those with stuff growing on them.

Maybe I go find one giant lawnmower blenny. I think my current one too good life and don't do his job anymore GRRRRR.

Hermits are good. I've got some red caribean hermits from Irwarna. Now munching away those algae in my tank.

[RX_GAN]

hahaa...another lazy reefer. haha

the best solution for a good job is turbo snails..but u must get the big ones not the white shell type.

really very effective and a few reefers try that too.

for long term plan, u should keep ur nitrate and po4 as low as possilbe..

but zero nitrate and po4 can also grow algae if the temperature is there.

good luck.

[anum]

Bro RX,

At wat temperature do algae grow?

[RX_GAN]

at 30 and above. they will grow in absence of nitrate and po4.

algaes are very strong and hardy organisms. and there are many species around.

u can find them in water. seawater or freshwater.

u can find them in the forest, on the pathway....blah blah...

they need moist, and temperature..lights...

but there are many species around.

red slime aglae tends to grow with high temperature even without No3 and PO4.

green hair needs No3 and PO4 to grow...

there are too many types of algae to describe one by one.

i wonder if there is any particular scientific project studying on algaes.

haha.

good luck.

[ah fat]

so is red hermit reef safe?

i only heard of blue legged hermit being safe.

but the lfs i went all only selling red.

[RX_GAN]

red hermit is only the color and not the name...so we can't really know wat kinda hermit u are refering to. sorry abt that.

becos halloween and others are all red in color.

perharps u can ask the man, get one, take a picture.

observe it.

good luck.