Help ID Algae Growth in New Tank

Monza28 · 01-28-2008, 05:28 PM

Can someone help me ID this "algae"? It is on some of the rocks and bit of the sandbed. Looks like diatoms to me, but im a total newbie at this. Also what should I do about them? Wait and see if they go away on their own? Add a CUC? Limit lighting or add water movement? Tank has had water and sandbed for 3 weeks and the live rock was put in a little over a week ago. Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all 0. My LFS tested the phosphate level for me and its 0.1ppm (test kits of phosphate, calcium, alkalinity, and mag are on my immediate shopping list).

lReef lKeeper · 01-28-2008, 06:53 PM

looks like diatoms to me ... the sign of a cycle ending. they should go away on their own within a couple of weeks.

**CarmieJo** · 01-28-2008, 08:34 PM

I am thinking with just water and sand not much was happening biologically. Have you ever seen any ammonia or nitrite?

Monza28 · 01-28-2008, 09:04 PM

Before adding the LR i was seeing 0.50ppm of ammonia, after the LR my ammonia level is 0. But I've never seen nitrates or nitrites. Should I add a source of ammonia?

**CarmieJo** · 01-28-2008, 09:41 PM

Is your rock supposed to be fully cured?

Monza28 · 01-28-2008, 09:50 PM

Yes, the rock is supposed to be fully cured. I bought it at my LFS, who says he has had it in his tank for over 2months. The rock has plenty of coraline growth on it as well as sponges, feather dusters and 4 or 5 mushroom corals. In other words I believe him that the rock is fully cured, and ive never seen any ammonia from dieoff. Im imagining this means the rock should have plenty of bacteria already present, but also that I wont see a cycle (no dieoff). I was thinking of adding a source of ammonia in hopes of seeing a cycle but am afraid of killing the growth already on there.

**CarmieJo** · 01-28-2008, 10:18 PM

If that is the case then I think the ammonia that was present was processed by the rock when you put it in there. I would drop a pinch of food in the tank every couple of days so the bacteria continue to have something to eat. Keep up with your testing and as long as ammonia and nitrite test zero I'd probably consider it cycled 3 weeks after the ammonia first went to zero.

Monza28 · 01-28-2008, 10:29 PM

Sounds good, Thanks

**Amphibious** · 01-28-2008, 11:06 PM

It's diatoms alright. Part of the normal cycling. It may get worse before it gets better but, it will get better.

Dick

Reefbaby · 01-29-2008, 04:18 PM

I would make one suggestion to try to move the rocks off the overflow wall...you want to have as much water flow going in and around the rocks as possible to avoid any detritus traps.

Monza28 · 01-29-2008, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the responses. What should I do about water circulation in the tank? All i have now is the flow through the sump which is turning the tank over 6x an hr. Im thinking of placing a powerhead behind the rocks to help keep detritus from settling behind the rock work. The tank is 18" wide so there is a good amount of space between the rock and the back of the tank in most places. I just want to keep detritus from settling behind the rockwork where it would be hard to see. I have no idea how much flow to add or where. Can someone add suggestions or tips. For instance how big of a powerhead and where, at least to start.

lReef lKeeper · 01-29-2008, 08:05 PM

i would recommend 2 hydor korallia #3's to start with. i would add a couple of micro pumps behind the rocks. or maybe just a couple of the nano pumps from Fraggle Reef, Premium Corals and More cuz you really cant lose for 5 bucks !!

**Amphibious** · 01-29-2008, 08:46 PM

What size tank is this?

lReef lKeeper · 01-29-2008, 08:53 PM

its a 65 i think.