how does one control algae

[chunchma]

I just started my tank 58 gallon. 80 pounds of live rock and it has been up a week no lights on except for maybe a hour a two in the week it has been up.

My concern is algae! How do you control and/or keep algae out of your tank?

 

[Anonymous]

Same as in nature.

A combination of herbivores and limiting nutrients. There's no way I know of for keeping it out, just controlling it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Youll ALWAYS have algae in your tank.. but like the above post says you can keep it under management. It is done by nutrient export...

Just in case your really new.. here's a very short description of what that means. Algae needs nutrients in the water to bloom and grow (like the broken down version of fish waste dead plants... that kind of thing). Through water changes and proper filtration / skimming we can keep those nutrients to a minimum.. thus effectively "starving" the algae and keeping it from running amuck.

You can also run a "fuge" A fuge is another smaller tank connected to the display that houses fast growing algaes that consume the nutrients. As water goes from the display into the fuge the nutrients are eaten up... before the water goes back into the display. :wink:

Thats it in a nutshell

 

[Anonymous]

Agree with the above. To clarify, you can use RO/DI water to top off your tank when water evaporates, and when you mix up your waterchange water. It will help.

Be prepared to go thru various algae phases, since your tank is a new set-up. It can take a few monthes for your tank to find it's equilibrium, do not despair! You will see brown algae, then hair algae, cyanobacteria, maybe some more brown...maybe some more green...etc...Just keep doing your maintenance, and things should balance out eventually.

Patience is a virtue. Well, that, and a cold beer now and then 8)