Cycle question---Algae

grouper25 · 01/13/2007, 04:36 PM

I am about 7 days into my cycle on my 220 which has Florida Live rock. My paramenters are:
SG:1.025
PH:8
Amonia 1.5
Nitrite.2
Nitrate 5.0
Temp:79

Things were starting to look good the last few days as some die off had seemed to disappear. Today however, I am noticing that all of the live and base rock is beginning to get covered with a reddish brown algae covering. In order to re-energize that which is still alive, I have been running my T5 lights 6-7 hours a day. Only today did I finally get my MRC 3 turned on which is running now and pulling out alot of debris.

What is this stuff??? Is this diatoms???
Also, should I continue to leave the lights on and if so, for how long.

Thanks Mates

kookerson · 01/13/2007, 05:28 PM

From what I understand, its completely normal to get an algae outbreak in the early stages of setting up a tank. However, i was told that its a good idea to leave the lights off when cycling a tank with live rock in it.......but that could just be another Ford VS Chevy argument...! : )

bertoni · 01/13/2007, 06:28 PM

That type of bloom is very normal. It usually goes away on its own, or when a cleanup crew is added. I'd ignore it. You could turn off the lights. Either way should be fine.

grouper25 · 01/13/2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
That type of bloom is very normal. It usually goes away on its own, or when a cleanup crew is added. I'd ignore it. You could turn off the lights. Either way should be fine.

Thanks Jonathan,

I take great comfort in your sage counsel!!!!!!!!!

zma21 · 01/13/2007, 06:37 PM

You are gonna have algea whether you turn your lights on or off. You might have a bigger bloom with them on, but it is better to get the big one out of the way early in my opinion.

chrisstie · 01/13/2007, 06:41 PM

That's how I feel. what you are seeing now is probably diatoms and by the time your tank cycles it could be the way mine was (rock curing in tank then cycled) with like every kind of algae known to man...

After my experience of leaving a full photoperiod on for my LR i'd say go with half of what you would if you had animals living in it. Enough to keep the coralline\what not alive on the rock but not too much to feed the algae that will grow.

Once cycled get a bunch of mexican turbo snails and some algae eating hermits and it should clear up alright

01/13/2007, 04:36 PM	#1
grouper25 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: nj Posts: 523	Cycle question---Algae I am about 7 days into my cycle on my 220 which has Florida Live rock. My paramenters are: SG:1.025 PH:8 Amonia 1.5 Nitrite.2 Nitrate 5.0 Temp:79 Things were starting to look good the last few days as some die off had seemed to disappear. Today however, I am noticing that all of the live and base rock is beginning to get covered with a reddish brown algae covering. In order to re-energize that which is still alive, I have been running my T5 lights 6-7 hours a day. Only today did I finally get my MRC 3 turned on which is running now and pulling out alot of debris. What is this stuff??? Is this diatoms??? Also, should I continue to leave the lights on and if so, for how long. Thanks Mates __________________ Grouper25 Current Tank Info: 220 FOWLR, 75 Reef, 55 Exotix Zoas

01/13/2007, 06:28 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	That type of bloom is very normal. It usually goes away on its own, or when a cleanup crew is added. I'd ignore it. You could turn off the lights. Either way should be fine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/13/2007, 06:37 PM	#5
zma21 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,453	You are gonna have algea whether you turn your lights on or off. You might have a bigger bloom with them on, but it is better to get the big one out of the way early in my opinion. __________________ SCA 50 Starfire: In Progress Current Tank Info: 20 High -> 40 Cube -> Nanocube 12 DX -> 25 Gallon Rimless -> 10 Gallon AGA Temporary Tank -> JBJ 24 LED -> SCA Starfire 50 Cube

01/13/2007, 06:41 PM	#6
chrisstie Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,727	That's how I feel. what you are seeing now is probably diatoms and by the time your tank cycles it could be the way mine was (rock curing in tank then cycled) with like every kind of algae known to man... After my experience of leaving a full photoperiod on for my LR i'd say go with half of what you would if you had animals living in it. Enough to keep the coralline\what not alive on the rock but not too much to feed the algae that will grow. Once cycled get a bunch of mexican turbo snails and some algae eating hermits and it should clear up alright __________________ You lookin' at my wrasse? Current Tank Info: I find it odd that there are children starving in this country and yet we euthanize millions of stray dogs and cats every year and then incinerate the bodies. Not only that, but we make it illegal to butcher the meat. -MarkS

01/13/2007, 05:28 PM	#2
kookerson Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,017	From what I understand, its completely normal to get an algae outbreak in the early stages of setting up a tank. However, i was told that its a good idea to leave the lights off when cycling a tank with live rock in it.......but that could just be another Ford VS Chevy argument...! : )