Brown Algae Question

RussKubes · 10/07/2013, 02:07 PM

Hello,

I apologize if this is a dumb question. I have a 55 Gallon FOWLR tank. Currently there's no livestock in it, except for 17 #s of LR.

I was going to add more dry rock to this, but didn't get a chance to yet.

I'm now starting to grow brown algae, and it's growing faster than anticipated (probably at a normal rate, I just didn't know what to expect). Over a three day period, all of my LR is covered with it, the substrate has a good coverage of it, and there are a few spots on the glass starting to grow as well.

My question is, how soon do I need to get a CUC in there? Can it wait til the LFS opens this weekend (they don't open til Thursday), or should I try to find some online or from another location to try to get them in there sooner. I'm not sure if an excess growth will cause an issue or get out of hand.

Also, should I clean the algae off of the glass myself, or let the CUC take care of it when they get in?

Finally, should I prioritize getting the rest of my dry rock in there before I populate the CUC?

As always, I will greatly appreciate any feedback!

Sincerely,
Russ K.

hub81 · 10/07/2013, 03:11 PM

I assume you are cycling the tank now, how long has it been cycling? What are your nitrates at currently? Reason I ask is I am cycling my tank now and having the same thing going on. I clean the glass with a magnetic float cleaner. I was told by several that this is completely normal for a cycle. It sounds like your nitrates are very high, I would recommend a water change 20% minimum and then check the AMM, Nitrates and Nitrites. Inverts such as CUC can handle some Nitrates but drastic changes will kill them. So if your tank goes through a mini cycle after your water change there is a good chance you will loose them.
Side note when you do add, Mexican Turbo snails are a good algae cleaner so is the lawn mower blenny. I would add slowly, like 3 or 4 snails and see how it goes. You don't want to add to much, you need time for the bacteria to catch up to your bio load.

RussKubes · 10/08/2013, 12:04 PM

I've had the Live Rock in there for about a week.

I need to find a different test kit it seems. Because the API has just been reading 0 across the board for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate since I set up the tank.

Most of the algae on the glass went away on its own while I was at work it seems.

Do you have any suggestions for test kits?

Psicloner · 10/08/2013, 12:04 PM

normal part of the cycle. it's diatoms. they will die off when the silicates are used up.

thegrun · 10/08/2013, 12:16 PM

+1, I wouldn't worry about the algae/diatoms at this point. If you are running lights I would turn them off until the cycle is complete. After you get the rest of the rock in your system I would add either a dead raw shrimp or pure ammonia to the tank to start the cycle. It is possible the rock you have in the tank now is fully cycled but you are going to need to get a food source in the tank to get a strong bacteria population to grow on the new rock once you add it. You do not want to add any livestock to the tank until all the rock is in place and has been cycled, or the ammonia present during the cycle will kill or harm them.

hub81 · 10/08/2013, 01:03 PM

Test kit that I use and really like is Salifert. I have used a few other brands and this one has by far tested to be the best in my opinion. LOL yup I said it.

10/07/2013, 02:07 PM	#1
RussKubes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 24	Brown Algae Question Hello, I apologize if this is a dumb question. I have a 55 Gallon FOWLR tank. Currently there's no livestock in it, except for 17 #s of LR. I was going to add more dry rock to this, but didn't get a chance to yet. I'm now starting to grow brown algae, and it's growing faster than anticipated (probably at a normal rate, I just didn't know what to expect). Over a three day period, all of my LR is covered with it, the substrate has a good coverage of it, and there are a few spots on the glass starting to grow as well. My question is, how soon do I need to get a CUC in there? Can it wait til the LFS opens this weekend (they don't open til Thursday), or should I try to find some online or from another location to try to get them in there sooner. I'm not sure if an excess growth will cause an issue or get out of hand. Also, should I clean the algae off of the glass myself, or let the CUC take care of it when they get in? Finally, should I prioritize getting the rest of my dry rock in there before I populate the CUC? As always, I will greatly appreciate any feedback! Sincerely, Russ K.

10/07/2013, 03:11 PM	#2
hub81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 100	I assume you are cycling the tank now, how long has it been cycling? What are your nitrates at currently? Reason I ask is I am cycling my tank now and having the same thing going on. I clean the glass with a magnetic float cleaner. I was told by several that this is completely normal for a cycle. It sounds like your nitrates are very high, I would recommend a water change 20% minimum and then check the AMM, Nitrates and Nitrites. Inverts such as CUC can handle some Nitrates but drastic changes will kill them. So if your tank goes through a mini cycle after your water change there is a good chance you will loose them. Side note when you do add, Mexican Turbo snails are a good algae cleaner so is the lawn mower blenny. I would add slowly, like 3 or 4 snails and see how it goes. You don't want to add to much, you need time for the bacteria to catch up to your bio load. __________________ Hubcap Try Not Do or Do Not There Is No Try Current Tank Info: 150 gal reef 220lbs sand 125lbs live rock, with 55 gal sump Octo Diablo skimmer, quite one 6000 return pump, 39 gal quarantine

10/08/2013, 01:03 PM	#6
hub81 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 100	Test kit that I use and really like is Salifert. I have used a few other brands and this one has by far tested to be the best in my opinion. LOL yup I said it. __________________ Hubcap Try Not Do or Do Not There Is No Try Current Tank Info: 150 gal reef 220lbs sand 125lbs live rock, with 55 gal sump Octo Diablo skimmer, quite one 6000 return pump, 39 gal quarantine

10/08/2013, 12:04 PM	#3
RussKubes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 24	I've had the Live Rock in there for about a week. I need to find a different test kit it seems. Because the API has just been reading 0 across the board for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate since I set up the tank. Most of the algae on the glass went away on its own while I was at work it seems. Do you have any suggestions for test kits?

10/08/2013, 12:04 PM	#4
Psicloner Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Reno,NV Posts: 58	normal part of the cycle. it's diatoms. they will die off when the silicates are used up.

10/08/2013, 12:16 PM	#5
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, I wouldn't worry about the algae/diatoms at this point. If you are running lights I would turn them off until the cycle is complete. After you get the rest of the rock in your system I would add either a dead raw shrimp or pure ammonia to the tank to start the cycle. It is possible the rock you have in the tank now is fully cycled but you are going to need to get a food source in the tank to get a strong bacteria population to grow on the new rock once you add it. You do not want to add any livestock to the tank until all the rock is in place and has been cycled, or the ammonia present during the cycle will kill or harm them.