Cycling and algae

eg8r210 · 04/26/2011, 09:08 PM

My tank has been up and running now about 3 months but with lights for only about 2 weeks. It has been nice and clean for most of the time but once the lights went on the algae started. Is there anything I can do about it or should i just leave well enough alone and let it run its course? I knew this would happen and I am fighting with my impatience at this point.

My rock looks disgusting.

When I do my water change should I suck up as much of the algae off the sand as I can or just leave everything and let it run its course?

Is there anything I can do as far as CUC to clear this up some. Would nessarius snails clean the algae off the sand?

tkeracer619 · 04/26/2011, 10:35 PM

You will want a small clean up crew. Don't go overboard. Think 10% what the stores recommend.

Suck out as much as you can and start running GFO. Its never too early to tackle phosphates and nitrates.

dzfish17 · 04/27/2011, 12:00 AM

^^^ I agree. Its hard to have patience with algae but it is a natural part of an aquarium. I've been on RC for over a year now and I cant believe how many threads that have been started about algae in a new aquarium. Every aquarium has algae, it just takes time to get the good kind (coralline). Sometime an aquarium can take up to 9 mo. to become established. Sit back, relax and watch as your tank goes through the process of becoming a beautiful piece of art.

badvegan · 04/27/2011, 12:48 AM

I personally just wait out the algae phase, it seems that the longer you wait it out and dont try to do anything crazy the better it is for you long term.

Of course the idea of running GFO is great if you dont mind buying the reactor. I got mine at BRS for under $40

eg8r210 · 04/27/2011, 07:11 AM

I have a two little fishies 550 phosban reactor which I have been running carbon. I have read that I can load it with both carbon and phosban. Currently about half the reactor has carbon, would I just add the phosban on top of the carbon or does it go on the bottom?

Ryan927 · 04/27/2011, 08:09 AM

Waiting it out is good advice but I just got 6-8 more snails including 2 Turbos in my 6 month old 90 and my algae is noticeably less in 2 days. Someone even mowed down like 1/3 of my green hair algae. They can starve without the algae though so don't overdo it.

otest82 · 04/27/2011, 08:23 AM

One or two turbos should help speed things up.

eg8r210 · 04/27/2011, 12:30 PM

OK, I got a couple turbo snails but I am wondering about my lights.

Right now I have my controller turning on an LED strip at 6, 2 t5s at 7, two more at 8, MH on at 10. Then MH off at 2, 1set of t5 off at 8, second set off at 9 and LEDs off at 10.

I was not sure how long each fixture should be on and the more I run the MH I am guessing the more algae I will have. Should i run the MH for 8 hours?

04/26/2011, 09:08 PM	#1
eg8r210 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ocoee, FL Posts: 1,876	Cycling and algae My tank has been up and running now about 3 months but with lights for only about 2 weeks. It has been nice and clean for most of the time but once the lights went on the algae started. Is there anything I can do about it or should i just leave well enough alone and let it run its course? I knew this would happen and I am fighting with my impatience at this point. My rock looks disgusting. When I do my water change should I suck up as much of the algae off the sand as I can or just leave everything and let it run its course? Is there anything I can do as far as CUC to clear this up some. Would nessarius snails clean the algae off the sand?

04/26/2011, 10:35 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	You will want a small clean up crew. Don't go overboard. Think 10% what the stores recommend. Suck out as much as you can and start running GFO. Its never too early to tackle phosphates and nitrates. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

04/27/2011, 12:00 AM	#3
dzfish17 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fresno,Ca. Posts: 2,545	^^^ I agree. Its hard to have patience with algae but it is a natural part of an aquarium. I've been on RC for over a year now and I cant believe how many threads that have been started about algae in a new aquarium. Every aquarium has algae, it just takes time to get the good kind (coralline). Sometime an aquarium can take up to 9 mo. to become established. Sit back, relax and watch as your tank goes through the process of becoming a beautiful piece of art. __________________ 600g (96x36x46) FOWLR

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04/27/2011, 12:48 AM	#4
badvegan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 43	I personally just wait out the algae phase, it seems that the longer you wait it out and dont try to do anything crazy the better it is for you long term. Of course the idea of running GFO is great if you dont mind buying the reactor. I got mine at BRS for under $40

04/27/2011, 07:11 AM	#5
eg8r210 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ocoee, FL Posts: 1,876	I have a two little fishies 550 phosban reactor which I have been running carbon. I have read that I can load it with both carbon and phosban. Currently about half the reactor has carbon, would I just add the phosban on top of the carbon or does it go on the bottom?

04/27/2011, 08:09 AM	#6
Ryan927 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 55	Waiting it out is good advice but I just got 6-8 more snails including 2 Turbos in my 6 month old 90 and my algae is noticeably less in 2 days. Someone even mowed down like 1/3 of my green hair algae. They can starve without the algae though so don't overdo it.

04/27/2011, 08:23 AM	#7
otest82 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Carolina Beach Posts: 42	One or two turbos should help speed things up.

04/27/2011, 12:30 PM	#8
eg8r210 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ocoee, FL Posts: 1,876	OK, I got a couple turbo snails but I am wondering about my lights. Right now I have my controller turning on an LED strip at 6, 2 t5s at 7, two more at 8, MH on at 10. Then MH off at 2, 1set of t5 off at 8, second set off at 9 and LEDs off at 10. I was not sure how long each fixture should be on and the more I run the MH I am guessing the more algae I will have. Should i run the MH for 8 hours?