Massive Algae Bloom

Vang025 · 01/12/2011, 01:16 AM

Just transfered my 45g to my 55g fish with live rock tank, about a month ago. I added new lights 4x54watts T5HO and more live and dead rocks to it. I thought I might cause a mini cycle with the tank transfer but I never got any readings on Ammonia and Nitrite. My Nitrates are at 20 ppm, not sure about Phosphate and I'm getting a massive algae outbreak. Currently cutting back on lighting hrs, I had it at a 9 hrs period, now its 7 hrs period. Is this a normal algae bloom every new tank has to go through or am I missing something. I had the exact same problem with the 45g but the algae eventually just died off.

DanEnglish · 01/12/2011, 01:22 AM

20ppm nitrates are a bit high. Are you using a skimmer? Tap or RO water? The light cycle shouldn't matter as much as the water quality.

Vang025 · 01/12/2011, 01:59 AM

Using a HOB prizm skimmer with 50% RO water 50% filtered with my PUR filter from tap water.

chimmike · 01/12/2011, 08:48 AM

well first is you're probably going through another cycle.

Second, the PUR filter does nothing, you're using 50% tap water, meaning phosphates, chlorine, fluoride, and who knows what else. You need to be using 100% RO/DO with 0 TDS so that nothing feeds algae.

01/12/2011, 01:16 AM	#1
Vang025 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 86	Massive Algae Bloom Just transfered my 45g to my 55g fish with live rock tank, about a month ago. I added new lights 4x54watts T5HO and more live and dead rocks to it. I thought I might cause a mini cycle with the tank transfer but I never got any readings on Ammonia and Nitrite. My Nitrates are at 20 ppm, not sure about Phosphate and I'm getting a massive algae outbreak. Currently cutting back on lighting hrs, I had it at a 9 hrs period, now its 7 hrs period. Is this a normal algae bloom every new tank has to go through or am I missing something. I had the exact same problem with the 45g but the algae eventually just died off.

01/12/2011, 08:48 AM	#4
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	well first is you're probably going through another cycle. Second, the PUR filter does nothing, you're using 50% tap water, meaning phosphates, chlorine, fluoride, and who knows what else. You need to be using 100% RO/DO with 0 TDS so that nothing feeds algae. __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

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01/12/2011, 01:22 AM	#2
DanEnglish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 360	20ppm nitrates are a bit high. Are you using a skimmer? Tap or RO water? The light cycle shouldn't matter as much as the water quality.

01/12/2011, 01:59 AM	#3
Vang025 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 86	Using a HOB prizm skimmer with 50% RO water 50% filtered with my PUR filter from tap water.