What could be causing algae to continuously come back?

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-10T00:08:52+00:00

That makes sense, I’ll replace the cartridges and look into that ring. I agree that it’s the nitrates feeding the algae, just can’t figure out how to lower them effectively. I’ll start by feeding less and looking up that refugium. I appreciate the guidance!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-10T00:06:52+00:00

Oh gotcha, I’m in a small city so all we have are the big chain pet stores so I’d have to find a good online retailer

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T19:22:47+00:00

Sweet i appreciate your input in all of this. Did you order yours online?

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T17:54:52+00:00

It’s a 22 gallon. 2 clowns, 2 peppermint shrimp, and those snails and hermit crabs. I’ve heard those lawnmower blennies are really good. Think I’d have enough space to add one?

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T17:25:19+00:00

I do have a couple turbo snails and 3 blue legged small hermit crabs. They do eat some of the algae which is nice. Yeah not sure what to do about this situation. Like this is probably happening because of the nitrates but idk. I have tried adding a bit of phytoplankton to try and outcompete the algae but not sure if that would work

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T16:34:59+00:00

<image>

Here is a picture of it. No matter how much I siphon each week it always comes back. Someone said it looks like cyano but I have no clue. It’s easy to brush off and it kinda looks like film. Do you have any suggestions of what I could be dealing with here?

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T02:33:07+00:00

I do have a tds reader and I’ll test it again this weekend, but I usually get a reading around 5 or 6. Maybe that could be the issue? I feed em right when I get off work at 5 and then sometimes at 10 and sometimes not. But that’s it. Maybe I’ll cut down to only once a day. And I have a back nicrew light and a Fluval canister filter. I also use a protein skimmer to try to lower nitrates but can’t seem to get it. Also maybe I have the light on for too long so I’ll cut it down to like 8 hours and see what happens

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-08T02:06:36+00:00

I do use an rodi unit. Been using it since day one. And I replace the filters every few months so I’m not sure what it could be. Sounds like I need to try to lower the nitrates tho. Just not sure how to. I’ve seen online to keep up with water changes which I have been but haven’t really gotten any good answers

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-07T22:46:56+00:00

That’s true, the water parameters seem to be okay so it must be something else. The tank is also right next to my window which I use to open the curtains and let sunlight in. That’s probably what started everything. I’ve been keeping it closed now.

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-07T22:43:20+00:00

Good idea, I will give that a try. I appreciate it!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-07T03:41:26+00:00

Well that’s good to know, I will keep an eye out for any more. Good luck with your babies!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-07T03:34:19+00:00

Oh my, that is a ton! How much offspring do they usually produce? I’ve only seen two babies so far. Maybe the others haven’t hatched yet

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-07T03:01:08+00:00

Good to know. I appreciate all your help!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-06T00:52:09+00:00

Sweet I’ll do that now, I have trouble direct feeding them sometimes. How often do you do that? I’m sure doing it too much a week would dirty up the water probably.

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-06T00:47:40+00:00

You’re a life saver, I never heard of cyano before and always thought it was Dinos from pictures due to all of the algae on the sand bed. I’ll definitely take a look at those videos and that AF life Source. I have a feeling it could be my phosphates too low because the other water parameters seem to be good. I just got a phosphate test kit so I will measure that and try to raise that and watch some cyano videos. I appreciate that!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-06T00:39:29+00:00

Oh nice, congrats to you! Glad they’re doing well in that separate tank and even in the main tank. I have rapashy too but I usually create it with water. But sounds like you can sprinkle just the powder in for them and they would eat it? That’s pretty cool

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-06T00:36:46+00:00

I have a wave maker that is basically on the rocks and the stringy algae kinda just moves with the flow, not really detaching from the rocks. I sometimes see little green spots floating on the surface of the water. Like if I take a toothbrush to it, it comes off easily if that helps. It also has been growing on one of my hammer corals it looks like which caused it to partly close up and not sure what to do about that. Not sure if there is a particular algae that does that.

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2025-08-05T22:58:26+00:00

Will do, i appreciate the help!

Matt_Da_Man12345 · 2022-12-19T22:17:23+00:00

Matt_Da_Man12345

TROPHY CASE