What type of algae?

[chromakey]

Good Day:

I have this type of algae growing on several of the live rock in the reef tank. I was wondering what type it is and ways to get rid of it.

Thanks,

Michael

[Myka]

Derbesia sp. hair algae. Since it is just starting, if you are conscious of nutrients going in (feeding amount, tap water vs RO/DI water, etc) then a twice daily turkey basting to blast the trapped detritus out of the algae strands will probably take care of it for you.

How old is the tank? What size tank? Which skimmer? What fish? Are you using RO/DO water?

[chromakey]

Hi:

It is JBJ 29 nano aquarium. It is a few years old but I purchased it last year. I am running an Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer using GFO & GAC. I recently treated the tank for Cyanobacteria which the few SPS corals didn't like at all. Also my zoa's have bleached a bit and some don't open fully yet.

I recently removed a toadstool leather coral that I thought was giving me issues.

Also I have some GSP that are close to a hammer coral.

Do people recommend vacuuming the sand bed when doing water changes? The few times I have done it I get a lot of debris out of it.

Thanks,

Michael

Photo from several months ago:

[Myka]

Are those Clowns the only fish in there? Do you use RO/DI water, grocery store water, or tap water?

I like to vacuum sand beds provided they are shallow. Yours is a bit deep to be vacuuming because you could hit anaerobic areas. When anaerobic bacteria are exposed to oxygen they will die and can cause an ammonia spike. You can vacuum the top 1/2" or so, but don't go all the way down. A half dozen Cerith snails would be good for cleaning the sand, they are true detrivores. Your tank is a bit small for a Conch.

Since you were fighting cyano and now hair algae you are definitely running into some nutrient problems. Did you reuse the sand that came with the system or did you use new stuff?

[chromakey]

Hi:

I am using RO/DI water. I did reuse the sand when I moved the tank last year. There was a lot of debris in it. This is my first saltwater tank. Do you think it is worth changing out the live sand? I was thinking going a bit shallower.

The livestock: 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 sixline wrasse, 1 tailspot blenny, 1 tuxedo urchin and 2 cleaner shrimps.

Have you had issues chemical warfare with various corals?

Thanks again,

[Myka]

Originally Posted by chromakey

I did reuse the sand when I moved the tank last year. There was a lot of debris in it. This is my first saltwater tank. Do you think it is worth changing out the live sand? I was thinking going a bit shallower.

That's a reasonable idea. It doesn't look dirty in the picture you posted, but changing the sand could do no harm provided you do it right.

Use a 1/2" or 3/8" hose to siphon out 1/4 of the sand bed in a straight line down to the glass. If you expose any black/grey areas cover them up with sand. In a week do the next 1/4. Repeat until it is all done.

When you add new sand, "live sand in a bag" is a good marketing scheme, but that is all. However, the sand is pre-rinsed and not as dusty as dry sand even if you wash the heck out of the dry stuff. So the so-called "live" sand is a good choice.

If you go with a 1/2-3/4" sandbed you can vacuum it regularly to keep it clean.

The livestock: 2 clowns, 1 flame angel, 1 sixline wrasse, 1 tailspot blenny, 1 tuxedo urchin and 2 cleaner shrimps.

That's a fair amount considering the size of the tank and the setup. Be sure you aren't overfeeding them.

Have you had issues chemical warfare with various corals?

Oh yes. Carbon usually settles the problem. I wrote about allelopathy a bit in

[Myka]

Oops, I wrote about allelopathy a bit in the article "Detritus Wars" on pg 32 - link in my signature or here. http://www.reefhobbyistmagazine.com/.../version22.pdf