New to Reefs, Few Questions

Rarend99 · 01/09/2013, 02:14 PM

So i recently set up a 75 gallon reef aquarium(Sea Clear System)
Here's the Basics of what I have so Far

75gallon Seaclear System II(Removed all media in the back and am running a foam filter and GFO reator and return pump)

Rio 1400 running return to tank
ViaAqua 20/20 GFO Reactor
Hydor Evolution 550 Circulator
75lbs of established live rock(came from a friend)
30lbs of dry sand+30lbs of live sand
Aquaticlife 48in 4LED, 4 T5HO, and 2 150W HQI lighting

Need still
Buying a Reef Octopus BH2000 and an additional hydor evolution 550

Livestock:
Cleaner shrimp
Coral Banded Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
3 Hermits and 3 Snails

So heres on to the questions:
Tank has been running for two weeks now and water is perfect, however in the last 5 days ive noticed some algae in the tank, on the sand bed and the front glass as well as the koralia. Should i be worried? I added the GFO reactor after the small algae bloom.

Second what should my light cycle be like? I have full control over T5s HQI and LEDS

Third, should i just bite the bullet and get the protein skimmer ASAP or can i wait a week or two while my tank balances out

PS: I got about 30 gallons of Established saltwater then added 45 gallons of Catalina Saltwater

PICS

And heres the Algae

Cymonous · 01/09/2013, 02:18 PM

Two weeks is still very early for that sized tank and may still be cycling. How did you start your cycle? Did you have a spike of ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates? What are your exact readings now?

The algae you see will eventually clear up on its own.

igot2gats · 01/09/2013, 02:20 PM

Daytime lights should be anywhere from 6-8 hours. Yes, get a skimmer. And, you'll probably going to need more flow.

Having the correct light periods and right amount flow are the 2 easiest ways to help rid of algae outbreaks.

Painted skin · 01/09/2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cymonous

Two weeks is still very early for that sized tank and may still be cycling. How did you start your cycle? Did you have a spike of ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates? What are your exact readings now?

The algae you see will eventually clear up on its own.

I agree with the cycle part and IMO too early for inverts, but that algae is not going clear up on it own as it's not diatoms.

Cymonous · 01/09/2013, 03:07 PM

I've had that same exact algae on my new substrate when I moved. It cleared up on its own after a couple weeks.

Rarend99 · 01/09/2013, 03:43 PM

Nitrites-0
Nitrates- <20ppm
pH-8.0
Calcium @ 400

Cymonous · 01/09/2013, 03:45 PM

Did you get an initial spike of Ammonia, then Nitrites at all during your cycle?

Rarend99 · 01/09/2013, 03:56 PM

No spikes in anything, I figured because I added so much water and rock from an established tank that it is speeding
up the cycling process

Painted skin · 01/09/2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cymonous

I've had that same exact algae on my new substrate when I moved. It cleared up on its own after a couple weeks.

Diatoms goes away eventually yes. Which that in the picture is not.

Other nuisance algae only goes away with restricted nutrient, proper flow feel free to refer to the following link for explanation and solutions.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=60

BAGGERZ13 · 01/09/2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rarend99

No spikes in anything, I figured because I added so much water and rock from an established tank that it is speeding
up the cycling process

You might not see an ammonia spike. Or a cycle because you got everything right out of your buddies tank so depending on how long the sand and rock was out of his tank there might have been no die off. So when you put it in your tank there could potentially be no cycle.

Rarend99 · 01/09/2013, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painted skin

Diatoms goes away eventually yes. Which that in the picture is not.

Other nuisance algae only goes away with restricted nutrient, proper flow feel free to refer to the following link for explanation and solutions.

http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.ph...d=54&Itemid=60

So which of the algae do you think it is? It's growing a little in the sand bed and some on the front of the tank and a little on the water circulator?

Painted skin · 01/09/2013, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rarend99

So which of the algae do you think it is? It's growing a little in the sand bed and some on the front of the tank and a little on the water circulator?

It's hard to say exactly it still in it's early stage and young, it looks like it could be hair algae or Bryopsis.

zoafarm · 01/09/2013, 08:14 PM

I agree with the circulation comment. Those 550's should both be 1050's. As for your cycle, it seems pretty fast. But honestly mine was fast. I think I would throw a few (three) Turbo snails in and let them start eating the algae.

Do you need the protein skimmer NOW? No. You can wait, but IMHO you need one and should put it high on your "buy next" list.

Happy Reefing

Rarend99 · 01/09/2013, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoafarm

I agree with the circulation comment. Those 550's should both be 1050's. As for your cycle, it seems pretty fast. But honestly mine was fast. I think I would throw a few (three) Turbo snails in and let them start eating the algae.

Do you need the protein skimmer NOW? No. You can wait, but IMHO you need one and should put it high on your "buy next" list.

Happy Reefing

Really 1050s?? I have an aqueon 1250 and it throws so much flow that it throws my sand around so I removed it

And I'll be buying the octocpus BH2000 this week, any reviews on it from personal use anyone?

Rarend99 · 01/10/2013, 03:53 PM

Decided I'm going to do some 15-20% water changes and get a few more snails to battle this green hair algae, also going to replace my T5s because they're rather old and I fear they're contributing to the problem, any additional solutions?

Rarend99 · 01/10/2013, 06:10 PM

Added my aqueon 1250 water circulator in the other corner to increase flow across the whole tank to the overflow, thinking of getting some lock line fittings for my return to direct flow more precisely.

zoafarm · 01/10/2013, 08:53 PM

It may seem like a lot of flow, but I have a 72 gal with a mag 9.5 return. I also have 2 1050's, 1 750, and a 550. The trick was lining them up so it didn't blow sand everywhere. But all the coral seem to appreciate the flow now.

Rarend99 · 01/10/2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoafarm

It may seem like a lot of flow, but I have a 72 gal with a mag 9.5 return. I also have 2 1050's, 1 750, and a 550. The trick was lining them up so it didn't blow sand everywhere. But all the coral seem to appreciate the flow now.

I figure for now my flow is alright
Rio 1400
Koralia 550
Aqueon 1250

Ill probably end up adding another 550 or 750

01/09/2013, 02:14 PM	#1
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	New to Reefs, Few Questions So i recently set up a 75 gallon reef aquarium(Sea Clear System) Here's the Basics of what I have so Far 75gallon Seaclear System II(Removed all media in the back and am running a foam filter and GFO reator and return pump) Rio 1400 running return to tank ViaAqua 20/20 GFO Reactor Hydor Evolution 550 Circulator 75lbs of established live rock(came from a friend) 30lbs of dry sand+30lbs of live sand Aquaticlife 48in 4LED, 4 T5HO, and 2 150W HQI lighting Need still Buying a Reef Octopus BH2000 and an additional hydor evolution 550 Livestock: Cleaner shrimp Coral Banded Shrimp Peppermint Shrimp 3 Hermits and 3 Snails So heres on to the questions: Tank has been running for two weeks now and water is perfect, however in the last 5 days ive noticed some algae in the tank, on the sand bed and the front glass as well as the koralia. Should i be worried? I added the GFO reactor after the small algae bloom. Second what should my light cycle be like? I have full control over T5s HQI and LEDS Third, should i just bite the bullet and get the protein skimmer ASAP or can i wait a week or two while my tank balances out PS: I got about 30 gallons of Established saltwater then added 45 gallons of Catalina Saltwater PICS And heres the Algae

01/09/2013, 02:18 PM	#2
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Two weeks is still very early for that sized tank and may still be cycling. How did you start your cycle? Did you have a spike of ammonia, then nitrites, then nitrates? What are your exact readings now? The algae you see will eventually clear up on its own. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

01/09/2013, 03:07 PM	#5
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	I've had that same exact algae on my new substrate when I moved. It cleared up on its own after a couple weeks. __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

01/09/2013, 03:45 PM	#7
Cymonous My Clown Attacks Me Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,105	Did you get an initial spike of Ammonia, then Nitrites at all during your cycle? __________________ 100 Gallon Long with 20L sump 10 Gallon Office Tank Current Tank Info: 2 False Percula Clowns, One Spot Foxface, Diamond Watchman Goby, Yellow Tail Damsel, Engineer Goby

01/09/2013, 02:20 PM	#3
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	Daytime lights should be anywhere from 6-8 hours. Yes, get a skimmer. And, you'll probably going to need more flow. Having the correct light periods and right amount flow are the 2 easiest ways to help rid of algae outbreaks.

01/09/2013, 03:43 PM	#6
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	Nitrites-0 Nitrates- <20ppm pH-8.0 Calcium @ 400

01/09/2013, 03:56 PM	#8
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	No spikes in anything, I figured because I added so much water and rock from an established tank that it is speeding up the cycling process

01/09/2013, 08:14 PM	#13
zoafarm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 306	I agree with the circulation comment. Those 550's should both be 1050's. As for your cycle, it seems pretty fast. But honestly mine was fast. I think I would throw a few (three) Turbo snails in and let them start eating the algae. Do you need the protein skimmer NOW? No. You can wait, but IMHO you need one and should put it high on your "buy next" list. Happy Reefing

01/10/2013, 03:53 PM	#15
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	Decided I'm going to do some 15-20% water changes and get a few more snails to battle this green hair algae, also going to replace my T5s because they're rather old and I fear they're contributing to the problem, any additional solutions?

01/10/2013, 06:10 PM	#16
Rarend99 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 1,304	Added my aqueon 1250 water circulator in the other corner to increase flow across the whole tank to the overflow, thinking of getting some lock line fittings for my return to direct flow more precisely.

01/10/2013, 08:53 PM	#17
zoafarm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 306	It may seem like a lot of flow, but I have a 72 gal with a mag 9.5 return. I also have 2 1050's, 1 750, and a 550. The trick was lining them up so it didn't blow sand everywhere. But all the coral seem to appreciate the flow now.