Algae Progression in New Tank

trothatl · 03/05/2007, 09:31 AM

In the past I've seen threads describing the progression of algae blooms in new tanks -- I seem to remember that you start with one type of algae, then it will die off, and then another type of algae takes over for a while. I've been searching the forums but can't locate anything like that. (I may have that all wrong, which would be why I can't find it!) Can anyone provide any information on what to expect, or point me to a discussion on that?

I put live rock into a new 72-gallon tank 8 days ago and put additional cured LR in four days ago. Last night I noticed brown fuzzy stuff on the top of the 8-day old LR, with more of it this morning. I'm assuming this is to be expected as part of the cycle, but would like to get a better idea of what to expect -- what's normal and what could be a problem. If this doesn't sound normal, I'll try to take a photo and post it later.

FYI, yesterday my ammonia was 0.8 mg/l, nitrite was also 0.8, and nitrate was not detectable. I'll be doing a water change later today (didn't have time yesterday).

cdangel0 · 03/05/2007, 09:51 AM

No need for a water change while cycling, not yet anyway. If your ammonia gets over 1ppm then do a water change to keep from killing the bacteria your trying to colonate.

Generally speaking I think the tank is too new for diatome blooms yet. Are you using RO/DI or tap water - if tap then OK the phosphates in the water willc asue algae earlier.

I don't know if everyone will experience all parts of the "algae cycle" but it generally starts with the fuzzy brown stuff (Diatomes), moves to red slimey stuff (Cyano) and ends with the everyday green stuff that the snails eat.

Diatome usually show up around month 3, but using un-cured LR or tap water may cause it to form earlier.

trothatl · 03/05/2007, 10:48 AM

I'm using RO/DI water.

My ammonia test kit maxes out at 0.8. The color three days ago (LR in tank 5 days at the time) was much darker than what is shown for 0.8, so I did a 10-gallon water change that day. Yesterday the color was a solid match for 0.8, but it could be above that.

Here is what I'm talking about: the brownish material on the top of the rock...

And covering these two pieces of Tonga branch. You might notice that I'm getting a light green material covering the rocks in the backs of these photos, behind the branch rock. I'm guessing that is also some type of algae? It just showed up today.

I'm finding myself surprising addicted to watching algae grow and rocks change color in my tank!

TekCat · 03/05/2007, 10:57 AM

No worries, they are diatoms. Water changes never hurt anyone, lowering ammonia, and exporting rotting junk in water is a wonderful thing to do to a tank

Water changes and vigorous water flow will do lots of good!

As far as algal cycle goes, there are no rules here. Most common progression is:
1. diatoms
2. green hair algae
3. cyano
4. then up to 1 year you can have any of the above in repetition.

Again, there are no hard rules about order or duration of the blooms. There are cases where you get more than one algae growing.

good luck!

MAXreefer · 03/05/2007, 11:02 AM

Setting up a new tank also here.
After a couple days my Live Rock got covered also.
Water is ok so I decided to put in a few small "Red Leg Crabs".
Wow. They cleaned up a big rock in 1 day.

trothatl · 03/05/2007, 11:25 AM

TekCat, thanks for the comment about water flow. I only have one powerhead in the tank right now. I was planning to add more once the tank was cycled and ready for inverts, but perhaps I should go ahead and add them now. You reminded me of comments I've read about algae being more likely to grow in stagnant areas.

mdekort, I'm glad to hear that the crabs work that quickly. I'll be adding the cleanup crew as soon as the cycle completes.

JokerGirl · 03/05/2007, 12:06 PM

Those are definitely diatoms!

Don't freak out its normal. My blooms were kind of weird though. I had cyano constantly up until about a month ago when I got my MH lamp, and now I've had some mild diatoms on the glass sand. Expect to battle cyano for a long long while

TekCat · 03/05/2007, 03:06 PM

trothatl, yes, add flow now. This will bring more oxygen and in turn it helps curing alot. Hint: looking by your pictures, there is quite a bit junk on rocks that will shed. While doing water changes, pick each rock and swish it in a bucket with old water. This will help remove loose dead particles and other junk off of the rock. Also, use powerhead or turkey baster (while dunking and swishing rock) to blast off junk that's been trapped inside rocks' pores and holes. If you see junk on the sand bed that fell from rocks, siphone it out. There is no reason to keep it in rotting.

JokerGirl mentioned that cyano is a real pain in butt. She is right

Keeping water parameters in check, skimming as hell, not overfeeding, and being religious about water changes will make you victorious!

good luck, and Reef ON!

03/05/2007, 09:31 AM	#1
trothatl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Algae Progression in New Tank In the past I've seen threads describing the progression of algae blooms in new tanks -- I seem to remember that you start with one type of algae, then it will die off, and then another type of algae takes over for a while. I've been searching the forums but can't locate anything like that. (I may have that all wrong, which would be why I can't find it!) Can anyone provide any information on what to expect, or point me to a discussion on that? I put live rock into a new 72-gallon tank 8 days ago and put additional cured LR in four days ago. Last night I noticed brown fuzzy stuff on the top of the 8-day old LR, with more of it this morning. I'm assuming this is to be expected as part of the cycle, but would like to get a better idea of what to expect -- what's normal and what could be a problem. If this doesn't sound normal, I'll try to take a photo and post it later. FYI, yesterday my ammonia was 0.8 mg/l, nitrite was also 0.8, and nitrate was not detectable. I'll be doing a water change later today (didn't have time yesterday).

03/05/2007, 11:02 AM	#5
MAXreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 749	Setting up a new tank also here. After a couple days my Live Rock got covered also. Water is ok so I decided to put in a few small "Red Leg Crabs". Wow. They cleaned up a big rock in 1 day. __________________ Current tanks: 40G frag tank and an Elos System 120. Proud winner of "nTOTM March 2010" here at RC Current Tank Info: Elos Mini and soon an Elos 120

03/05/2007, 12:06 PM	#7
JokerGirl Whistler's Mother Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: That place Posts: 1,345	Those are definitely diatoms! Don't freak out its normal. My blooms were kind of weird though. I had cyano constantly up until about a month ago when I got my MH lamp, and now I've had some mild diatoms on the glass sand. Expect to battle cyano for a long long while __________________ 01000001 01101110 01111001 01101111 01101110 01100101 00111111 Current Tank Info: 120g Reef Tank, 60g Cube Mantis/Reef Tank, Want more info, ask me.

03/05/2007, 09:51 AM	#2
cdangel0 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 905	No need for a water change while cycling, not yet anyway. If your ammonia gets over 1ppm then do a water change to keep from killing the bacteria your trying to colonate. Generally speaking I think the tank is too new for diatome blooms yet. Are you using RO/DI or tap water - if tap then OK the phosphates in the water willc asue algae earlier. I don't know if everyone will experience all parts of the "algae cycle" but it generally starts with the fuzzy brown stuff (Diatomes), moves to red slimey stuff (Cyano) and ends with the everyday green stuff that the snails eat. Diatome usually show up around month 3, but using un-cured LR or tap water may cause it to form earlier.

03/05/2007, 10:48 AM	#3
trothatl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	I'm using RO/DI water. My ammonia test kit maxes out at 0.8. The color three days ago (LR in tank 5 days at the time) was much darker than what is shown for 0.8, so I did a 10-gallon water change that day. Yesterday the color was a solid match for 0.8, but it could be above that. Here is what I'm talking about: the brownish material on the top of the rock... And covering these two pieces of Tonga branch. You might notice that I'm getting a light green material covering the rocks in the backs of these photos, behind the branch rock. I'm guessing that is also some type of algae? It just showed up today. I'm finding myself surprising addicted to watching algae grow and rocks change color in my tank!

03/05/2007, 10:57 AM	#4
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	No worries, they are diatoms. Water changes never hurt anyone, lowering ammonia, and exporting rotting junk in water is a wonderful thing to do to a tank Water changes and vigorous water flow will do lots of good! As far as algal cycle goes, there are no rules here. Most common progression is: 1. diatoms 2. green hair algae 3. cyano 4. then up to 1 year you can have any of the above in repetition. Again, there are no hard rules about order or duration of the blooms. There are cases where you get more than one algae growing. good luck!

03/05/2007, 11:25 AM	#6
trothatl Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	TekCat, thanks for the comment about water flow. I only have one powerhead in the tank right now. I was planning to add more once the tank was cycled and ready for inverts, but perhaps I should go ahead and add them now. You reminded me of comments I've read about algae being more likely to grow in stagnant areas. mdekort, I'm glad to hear that the crabs work that quickly. I'll be adding the cleanup crew as soon as the cycle completes.

03/05/2007, 03:06 PM	#8
TekCat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MN Posts: 3,130	trothatl, yes, add flow now. This will bring more oxygen and in turn it helps curing alot. Hint: looking by your pictures, there is quite a bit junk on rocks that will shed. While doing water changes, pick each rock and swish it in a bucket with old water. This will help remove loose dead particles and other junk off of the rock. Also, use powerhead or turkey baster (while dunking and swishing rock) to blast off junk that's been trapped inside rocks' pores and holes. If you see junk on the sand bed that fell from rocks, siphone it out. There is no reason to keep it in rotting. JokerGirl mentioned that cyano is a real pain in butt. She is right Keeping water parameters in check, skimming as hell, not overfeeding, and being religious about water changes will make you victorious! good luck, and Reef ON!