bubble algae

[Galvan]

Hello to all,

have 75 gallon tank with about 70lbs of LR. have 4 fish and 5 corals. about 4-5 weeks somethng went wrong and started to see my polyps wither away. The major thing that I see is this bubble algae it is on the sand bed in a few locations. I have never had any problem with this bubble algae. Can someone let me know how this is treatable and what could have caused in to come into my tank. Is this bubble algae a major problem??

 

[Len]

Hi Galvan,

I am assuming you are referring to green Valonia algae. These are a nuisance but aren't a big problem by itself. However, they usually indicate you have nutrients in the water that feed them; this could explain why your polyps are withering away. The best solution is to do a series of big water changes (use a good salt mix and RO water) and this should help both your algae and coral problems.

 

[Anonymous]

Have you tested your water lately to see just what the levels are? How old are the bulbs in your light fixture?

 

[Galvan]

Hello to all,

Here is a pic of this stuff. Is it a bad idea to vaccum this stuff up? I'm getting ready to make a water change 12 gallons. I just did one on the Sept. 9th 18 gallons. looks like it is getting worse..

 

[Len]

Oh, that isn't bubble algae. That's slime algae (cyanobacteria). This stuff isn't good and is caused by poor circulation, poor oxygenation, and poor water quality. It can also be a sign that your lights are old. Often times, people with old lights will get rid of cyano once they change bulbs. Other solutions include more water changes, siphoning out as much as you can. Increase circulation and protein skimming (to remove nutrients and add oxygen to the water). Dripping kalkwasser works too. Just make sure to monitor your pH levels as kalkwasser can make water lethally alkaline.

 

[Galvan]

Thank you very much. I had 2 power heads 900 and one 1200 in the tank that need some cleaning. I did the cleaning of the power heads day before yesterday. Last night I did a change to the power heads so now i have three 1200's and one 900. My protein skimmer is the simple one from a 75 gal wet/dry sump and this is always on. I'm concerned now about what you saw on the poor oxygenation. By what i just did on adding the 1200's and the one 900 power head is this enough to get oxygen into the tank? Is there more i can do to keep the oxygen level up.

 

[Sea Turtle]

YOu can put the power heads closer to the surface to get more air circulating into the water.

I agree with Len, keep up with the water changes. This will work.

 

[Len]

You can also have your skimmer draw in air from outside your cabinet if it's in a closed cabinet. Clean the venturi/airstone if it hasn't been for a while. All this will increase oxygenation. But controlling nutrients with water changes is the key. I'd still recommend trying kalkwasser drip (which has worked for me). And the aging lights issue is one that many people have found to be the cause of cyano blooms.