Algae or Cyano Bacteria???

[PR_Reefer]

Tank Info:

55G, Emperador 400 HOB, T5 4 Bulbs with 3 leds, timer and fans, 70lbs of LR, 40lbs of LS, CUC, Peppermint shirmp and 2 domino damsels. (Getting sump and overflow this weekend I already have a coralife 220 skimmer but not running).

The way I was running light was the following:
8am-8pm atinics
9am-7pm 10k's
8pm-8am moonlight leds

Now I have been cuting the light for only 2hours a day.


Bad Moves:
#1-The tank has been up for about 2 month. I cycled it with the damsels and yes I kno it was a dumb move.

#2-I was using tap water until like a week ago that I did my first WC with rodi water and I did a 15 gallon WC.

#3-I still haven installed the sump, skimmer and overflow. Thats going to be done this weekend after I finish my custom stand.

I'm going to post some pictures of what is going on inside the tank and please let me know what do I need to do to get rid of it!!! TY in advance

Last but not least I'm getting ready to do like a 7Gallon WC since this past weekend was the big water change.

[PR_Reefer]

For got to say water parameters:
PH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite:0
Nitrate: 10

Using API saltwater master test kit

[Darth Vedder]

I would guess Cyanobacteria. Do you have bubbles that cling/gather on your rocks? I'd you do then it would Definately be cyano

[RickReef28]

diatoms. They usually pop up around the 6-8week mark. Normal for young tanks. They should go away on there own in a few weeks.

[PR_Reefer]

Originally Posted by RickReef28

diatoms. They usually pop up around the 6-8week mark. Normal for young tanks. They should go away on there own in a few weeks.

Even my sand bed has it... Is that harmful to the fish or the tank it self??

[RickReef28]

Yeah. That is normal. Its not harmful. Just a normal process of the cycle. i will subside in a few. The only harm it does is to your eyes. Its brown algae (diatoms). i had this when i first started my tank. all over my sand and rocks. it was there maybe 2 weeks tops. just let it do its thing

[RickReef28]

you should only really run your lights for around 10 hours. Kill the actincs at night too. Just run them for around an hour after 10k go out. then shut off. Running your lights too long can cause other algae to grow and possibly stress your fish out since they may not rest much

[PR_Reefer]

Originally Posted by RickReef28

you should only really run your lights for around 10 hours. Kill the actincs at night too. Just run them for around an hour after 10k go out. then shut off. Running your lights too long can cause other algae to grow and possibly stress your fish out since they may not rest much

OK, so if u run the light for 10hrs a day... Is the cyano gonna keep spreading???

What about leaving he lghts off for a few days??

[sleepydoc]

Yes, you can turn the lights of completely for 3 days to knock down the cyano. It will be more effective if you cover the tank to prevent outside light from coming in. Sk8r has a nice thread on this. Just be aware it will come back and you may have to repeat the 'treatment'

[mtcoins123]

i dont think thats cyano it does imo look like diatoms usualy ime cyano will have space between it and the effected area like a mat lying over the substrate, if its "growing" from the surface i would bet diatoms and yes they will ime grow more with excess lighting

[10reefman]

Is diatoms, cut back on lights until you get corals

[tommyz44]

Yup its diatoms..... i dont think there is much point fighting it with a new tank...no matter what you do you will have it. Get a CUC (Clean up crew) i recomend reefcleaners.org. If the problem persists a good inverstment is a phosphate reactor to little fishies from dr fosters is fairly cheep and easy to install. If it was cyano you would see little air bubbles attatched to it or even under it. Also it would look almost matty. This looks like you could brush it off where as cyano clumps together as a full layer.

i seem to remember getting that same diatom around the 1.5 month mark.

[Sport507]

+1 Diatoms, this too shall pass. Don't run light more than 8-10 hours per day.

[torombolo2222]

Te lo dije!!!! told yaaa post it here Bro.

[dunc101]

I also agree with diatoms. Your tank is at the "perfect age" for when diatoms usually show up.

[PR_Reefer]

TY for the info... I will cut the light for a few days and then will reduce to 8-10 hours daily insted of runnning them for 12h.

[tommyz44]

Originally Posted by dunc101

I also agree with diatoms. Your tank is at the "perfect age" for when diatoms usually show up.

Ya i think the 1-2 month depending on tank params and lighting seem to be the perfect age for the diatoms to start up...i didnt see much cyano untill about 3.5-5 months on my last tank. damn red slime >.<

[RickReef28]

Yeah. Same here with the Cyano. I still have patches on my sand that just wont go away. its a small amount but still sucks. Tank has been running for 10 months but i cant kick it. Still rather young tank so im skimming heavier and threw in some GFO in my overflow. i dont want to do the lights out method cause it really doesnt solve the issue long term.

[rgauvin]

I agree with those stating it is diatoms.

[tommyz44]

If you have a few bucks the Two little fishies Phosban 150 is really good. GFO at the bottom of it and then inbetween the top sponge and cap there is room to put some carbon so it runs both.

[faisal629]

+1 diotoms!