Pale macro algae

[Bryan]

My 2.5 gallon tank was set up March 5, 2020, and 15 shrimp, 10 snails and a ball of macro algae was added April 29. The shrimp are breeding but I have lost all of the fry. The macro algae is turning white. Any suggestions as to how to improve the setup?

[SuperProofer]

Can you post a picture and explain a little more about how you set up your tank (i.e., what kind of decor, what salt did you use, did you use distilled/RO/tap water)? It would help to try to pinpoint the issues.

[Bryan]

Thank you. Reef Crystals salt. 1.013 salinity per the refractometer. Argonite substrate. Distilled water. Nicrew lighting. Ammonia - 0. It would seem the macro algae is not receiving enough nutrients.

[Bryan]

Oops - photo didn’t load.

[JoeG]

Bryan have you fed the shrimp and if so how much, how often, and with what?

[Bryan]

I feed them three times a month, alternating between Spirulina and Cobalt Spirulina Pellets. Having no algae this regimen seems to make sense.

[JoeG]

It probably depends on how much you are feeding them but you would think that feeding that often should be providing enough nutrients for the algae. I have read before that when the macro algae turns white that it might be receiving too much light. Is that a possibility?

[Bryan]

I hadn’t heard that about the light, but it’s worth a shot. Thank you.

[Vorteil]

Doesn't look good.I think it's lacking nutrients. Maybe it's too far gone to revive? Maybe start all over? I'm sure when you first got it that there was good growth. Over time that slowed when it maxed out the nutrients. Time to start over.

[Bryan]

Thank you. Precisely what happened. Before giving up I think I’ll cut it in half to give the remaining algae a chance. Can’t hurt!

[Bryan]

Would a ml of Seachem Flourish help?

[sliphorn]

Would a ml of Seachem Flourish help?

..
I would not chance it.
..

[Vorteil]

Flourish won't hurt as I've used it many times. Instead why not pull out the half as planned and stick it in a container and add flourish to that. That way you don't add anything to your shrimp tank

[Bryan]

Brilliant! Will do.

[Bryan]

Well, I believe the chaeto is indeed dead. How necessary is it to have anyway? Have some algae, but if the chaeto isn’t needed I’ll move ahead without it.