What's with this algea?

[willisfish]

I have a 30g saltwater aquarium. The crabs, clownfish, and surgeonfish died over the summer. Now I have hermit crabs, anemones, and a lot of red algae. The pH will not drop below 8.5 so I cannot but fish in there yet. It keeps fluctuating and moving up, too. Why is this happening?
~Willisfish:help:

[cocoa_pleco]

red algae is often a byproduct of a new tank. it HATES flow, so adding powerheads will help.

how much lighting do you have?

[2manyfish]

Give us more details, like ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, salinity, temp, lighting (type and wattage), water change schedule....also how long has the tank been set up, what type of anemones do you have??

[unleashed]

i wouldn't be surprised that the surgeonfish died in your 30g. It is simply too small for a surgeonfish (tang). they need at least 70g of WATER to live happily.......

[cocoa_pleco]

yep, tangs need at least a 55g small, and 100g fullgrown. If you start to notice that your tang is darting back and forth alot, thats a sign he definitely needs room

[zackish]

yep, tangs need at least a 55g small, and 100g fullgrown. If you start to notice that your tang is darting back and forth alot, thats a sign he definitely needs room
So when are you getting your 100 gal?

[cocoa_pleco]

eventually when i make room (hopefully early mid 2008) im getting 2 150g tanks. one to transfer any large saltwater fish and the other tank for my oscar and pacu

ive got some time with the tang since hes small and hes doing no darting. he slowly swims along, weaving through the LR