Diatoms on my live rock?

Crustman · 01/19/2009, 03:43 PM

I changed 6 of the 8 bulbs on my light to ATI Blue Plus and Blue special. All of my algae is now producing all of these oxygen bubbles. Is this the start to coralline? I think it is golden brown (Chrysophyta) and I don't see any pink corallines. I bought an established tank and have had it since October. Is the oxygen production by the algaes good for the reef. It is like microbubbles but all over my rocks. I have a phosphate reactor, carbon reactor and a Vertex skimmer. I dose weekly with Kents bi-ionic calcium Thanks

kensilvey · 01/19/2009, 09:06 PM

No, not the start of coralline. Do you use ro/di water? How long are you running your lights per day? 8-9 hours should be plenty.

rgrobe · 01/19/2009, 09:58 PM

Too much light, high nutrients/phosphates, maybe silica. Water changes, increase skimming, test for phosphates. No tap water, too high in phosphates. Top off with RO/DI.

israelnajar · 01/19/2009, 11:44 PM

You did just change your bulbs. What were the old bulbs you had on there? Were they the same you just put new ones?

If they are different from what you were using that is why you are having this algae bloom. I can pretty much guarantee that everytime you switch bulbs or types of light you will have an algae bloom. It will go away over time if you keep food husbandry.

ReiferMadness · 01/20/2009, 12:30 AM

I'm having the same issue. When people say to run the lights 8-9 hours I need to get some clarification. My actinics kick on at 12 until 1:00. Then the MH kicks on until 10pm, then lights off and actinics until 11. So basically it's 12 hours but I didn't know if I should only be concerned with the MH bulb being on because of the actinics giving off less wattage.

Is this correct or should I move everything back?

kensilvey · 01/20/2009, 07:52 AM

metal halides only 8-9 hrs per day.

Andystl · 01/21/2009, 08:00 AM

Agreed, high nutrients/phosphates. Careful how much you are feeding & make sure you are using RODI.

01/19/2009, 03:43 PM	#1
Crustman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 941	Diatoms on my live rock? I changed 6 of the 8 bulbs on my light to ATI Blue Plus and Blue special. All of my algae is now producing all of these oxygen bubbles. Is this the start to coralline? I think it is golden brown (Chrysophyta) and I don't see any pink corallines. I bought an established tank and have had it since October. Is the oxygen production by the algaes good for the reef. It is like microbubbles but all over my rocks. I have a phosphate reactor, carbon reactor and a Vertex skimmer. I dose weekly with Kents bi-ionic calcium Thanks __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: 65 gallon reef with 8 T-5's, ATI Blue Plus, Blue Special, KZ Fiji Purple, Vertex IN 100, phosphate and carbon reactor Coralife Turbo Sea Pump

01/19/2009, 11:44 PM	#4
israelnajar Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 5000 Feet Posts: 1,007	You did just change your bulbs. What were the old bulbs you had on there? Were they the same you just put new ones? If they are different from what you were using that is why you are having this algae bloom. I can pretty much guarantee that everytime you switch bulbs or types of light you will have an algae bloom. It will go away over time if you keep food husbandry. __________________ I would never do such a thing unless you would already have been going to do that!

01/20/2009, 12:30 AM	#5
ReiferMadness Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 80	I'm having the same issue. When people say to run the lights 8-9 hours I need to get some clarification. My actinics kick on at 12 until 1:00. Then the MH kicks on until 10pm, then lights off and actinics until 11. So basically it's 12 hours but I didn't know if I should only be concerned with the MH bulb being on because of the actinics giving off less wattage. Is this correct or should I move everything back? __________________ Tons of money. Tank crashes. Extreme frustration and that ridiculous grin... all in the day of a saltwater enthusiast. Current Tank Info: 47 gallon glass tank. 24" Current USA Outer Orbit lighting, Rena FilStar xP2 filtration, 50 lbs. live rock with 3" sand base Rena heater and ZooMed Powersweep PH

01/19/2009, 09:06 PM	#2
kensilvey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 81	No, not the start of coralline. Do you use ro/di water? How long are you running your lights per day? 8-9 hours should be plenty.

01/19/2009, 09:58 PM	#3
rgrobe Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Diego area Posts: 416	Too much light, high nutrients/phosphates, maybe silica. Water changes, increase skimming, test for phosphates. No tap water, too high in phosphates. Top off with RO/DI.

01/20/2009, 07:52 AM	#6
kensilvey Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 81	metal halides only 8-9 hrs per day.

01/21/2009, 08:00 AM	#7
Andystl Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 539	Agreed, high nutrients/phosphates. Careful how much you are feeding & make sure you are using RODI.