Algae question

[Blueflu1]

My tank recently cycled. It is about 2 months old now with just a CUC in it. but I have gotten an algae problem. Its been a while since I started a new tank so I am a bit concerned. I can't remember if it is normal or not. It is like a greenish slime on the substrate. It comes of in chunks and floats up to the surface.

My parameters are as follows
PH- 8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - Trace but almost 0
calcium - 330. (I am working on raising this)

I am not using RO/DI water yet, as I have not ordered my unit yet, but will be. I am using IO Reef crystals for salt.

Is this algae normal and will it go away. If not, what could be the cause?
I can't find my cam right now to take a pic. I will use my phone if you need a pic.

Thanks,
-Rob

 

[Rick C]

I'd say it's normal. How long is your lighting period? I'd consider cutting back on the lights. Other than that, I would just wait it out.

 

[Joel A]

the addition of RODI will help your tank a lot. It's probably normal at an early stage like this anyways, but i'd imagine your phosphates are high using tap water.

 

[Rick C]

the addition of RODI will help your tank a lot. It's probably normal at an early stage like this anyways, but i'd imagine your phosphates are high using tap water.

+1 on the ro/di. I miss read the post and thought he said he was using it. You can buy ro/di from most LFS until you get your unit.

 

[Blueflu1]

I just ordered a RO/DI system. Hope it helps.

Any other suggestions? Any idea what kind of algae it is. Will a blenny eat this type?

 

[afboundguy]

Def think there's prob a lot of phosphates in there since you haven't started to use RO/DI. Once you start using that for top off and water changes it should help.

IMO doesn't sound like anything out of the ordinary for a newly set up tank...

 

[delta]

My tank recently cycled. It is about 2 months old now with just a CUC in it. but I have gotten an algae problem. Its been a while since I started a new tank so I am a bit concerned. I can't remember if it is normal or not. It is like a greenish slime on the substrate. It comes of in chunks and floats up to the surface.

My parameters are as follows
PH- 8.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - Trace but almost 0
calcium - 330. (I am working on raising this)

I am not using RO/DI water yet, as I have not ordered my unit yet, but will be. I am using IO Reef crystals for salt.

Is this algae normal and will it go away. If not, what could be the cause?
I can't find my cam right now to take a pic. I will use my phone if you need a pic.

Thanks,
-Rob

Any idea where your ALK, MAG, & phosphates are?

Using RO/DI is really the only way to go unless you use NSW

Usually once your tank cycles its initial stage you will go through the algea stage. It is the reason you see so many people with tank threads then once it is setup you dont see any picture for months.

 

[Macboy]

I am experiencing the same algae problems as you (a green crust on the substrate). Noticed it hasn't affected the fish, inverts or corals in a negative way, just looks crappy. I thought it was phospates and bought a reactor and media but still it shows up. Using ro/di water too. Cut back on my lighting hours with the halides and also food but the algae shows up. Just a nuisance that I clear up with my koralia's. Since I recently upgraded to a 120 I'm thinking what was already mentioned, typical cycling of the tank.
Still, you made a solid investment in getting a ro/di unit. Testing for phosphates is a good idea but I think it may just be normal cycling.

 

[Blueflu1]

Any idea where your ALK, MAG, & phosphates are?

Using RO/DI is really the only way to go unless you use NSW

Usually once your tank cycles its initial stage you will go through the algea stage. It is the reason you see so many people with tank threads then once it is setup you dont see any picture for months.

I haven't gotten test kits for Alk, Mag and phosphates yet. I just ordered them.

 

[delta]

Might be good to go to your LFS and find out.


Standard parameter you should know whether you are having a problem or not. Alk, Calc, Mg, PH, salinity, temp, Nitrate and Phos

 

[Blueflu1]

Here is a pic of the algae.

 

[S Hunter]

Glad to see you have your test kits and RO/DI coming in, using RO/DI is a given, But you really need to know where all your levels are before you do anything to your tank, things to check before treating are Alk, Calc, Mg, PH, Salinity, Temp, Nitrate and Phos (as Delta stated above). As the old saying goes, if you cant test for it, then don't treat it..


Keep in mind your tank is still young, there are many changes to come yet..

 

[Blueflu1]

Yea, I agree. I will post my other parameters as soon as I get them. I think once I get my RO/DI running and my new skimmer in, it will be ok. Skimmer is backordered. I was skimmerless for a little while, then I put in my cheapo skimmer from my 46 in the sump. I have never seen that skimmer pull so much gunk. I think the water got a bit dirty too.

 

[afboundguy]

Rob that def looks like cyanobacteria from the pic. Def think that not using RO/DI water and having a subpar skimmer def attributed to higher nutrients in the tank which feeds cyano.

One way to help rid cyano in the tank is to try to suck out as much as possible during a water change and leave the lights off for a 3-4 days. It's ok to leave your lights off for a few days (not always sunny on the reef) This should help with the cyano that's in your tank right now but until you lower the nutrients (prob phosphates) you could just get another outbreak of it. The RO/DI and better skimmer will def help a ton...

 

[Blueflu1]

Got the RO/DI today and the skimmer two days ago. Pulling alot of crap now, so we will see. Hopefully it clears up. I cut back my lighting a couple hours and it isn't as bad lately.

 

[jcallesano]

thats some nasty algae you got there, I never got that when my tank cycled. Let me know if you find the direct cause of it. The only noticeable algae I see is when I feed to much, my rocks turns green and then its goes away once i reduce the feeding. Good luck with the tank.

 

[afboundguy]

thats some nasty algae you got there, I never got that when my tank cycled. Let me know if you find the direct cause of it. The only noticeable algae I see is when I feed to much, my rocks turns green and then its goes away once i reduce the feeding. Good luck with the tank.

As mentioned above several times it is caused by him using tap water for tops offs which contain tons of extra nutrients for algae to feed off. He got/is waiting for a RO/DI unit which should help a ton...

 

[American Flyer]

BlueFlu1,

I had the exact experience as you did. Based on your picture, the algae may also be cyano bacteria. If your live rock had some die off, you may have excess nutirents in your tank especially if using tap water. My problem of cyano was much more severe than yours and I have finally rid myself of it without the use of any chemicals. I should add that my tank is 9 months old and the problem lasted about 2 months. In a nutshell, here is what I did:
1. Switched to RO/DI
2. Removed live rock to a bin of fresh salt water with extrememly forceful circulation.
3. Performed 25 gallon water changes in 200 gallons of water volume every three days for two weeks.
4. Took the sump/refugium offline for several hours (kept the powerheads in the display tank running!). Cleaned all components in a freshwater/vinegar mix (sump, powerheads, etc.). I emptied all 50 gallons in the sump and replaced with new salt water.
5. Returned live rock to the tank. By the way, all corals remained in the display tank.

After two weeks of that procedure, all readings are normal, the tank's inhabitants and corals appear to be happier than ever.

My outbreak was caused by the death of a sand sifting starfish that was never removed and decayed in the tank. Additionally, I think 7 months of nutrient buildup from using tap water ultimately caused the problem. This nutrient buildup was the main reason why I felt it necessary to remove the live rock and blow it to bits with current.

Unexpectedly, in only two weeks, it appears that the pod population has rebounded, which has kept my six-line wrasse very plump.

Many experienced reefers suggested that I use RO/DI water. I wish I'd listened sooner. I learned that this hobby does not favor the penny-wise pound-foolish person.

When I was trying to rid myself of the bacteria, I almost gave up and offered all of my equiment and livestock to a friend. He (a fellow reefer) said, "you don't get out of this hobby that easy!" I am glad he didn't let me.

 

[jbishop]

Let us know how it turns out Rob.