New tank setup and algae growth.

[sjf]

Hi: 3 week setup. 55 gallon corner. Noticing some green algae (diatoms bloom)? Fish are in great shape. Curious if this algae is due to my MH 150w bulb going bad or just tank cycling. If i cut out the lights completely, it stops spreading. However, even if i keep the bulb on for 2-3 hrs, the algae grows. Should I scrub off the algae during next water change or leave as is? Going to try to attach some pictures below.
PH is 8.2, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite is zero. Salinity:1.022. Temp is 80 degrees.

Thanks in advance for any guidance or insight.
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[nickg]

Not a bad thing IMO. Need some to really "cycle." Let it go for a little bit. Then start yourself a cleaning crew.

Just my $.02

 

[sjf]

Thanks. Do you have a suggestion for the cleaner crew?

 

[nickg]

mysaltwaterfishstore.com Blue leg crabs, Emerald crabs, diversity of snails. He has some nice cleaner packs. I always so go a little bigger than recommended on cleaners. maybe a pack good for 70 gallons.

 

[sjf]

nickg;901918 wrote: mysaltwaterfishstore.com Blue leg crabs, Emerald crabs, diversity of snails. He has some nice cleaner packs. I always so go a little bigger than recommended on cleaners. maybe a pack good for 70 gallons.

Appreciate the prompt response. I will check out your recommendation and get some.

 

[stacy22]

Diatoms are typically brownish-rust colored, not green. However, it is typical for new tanks to go through a series of algae blooms after set-up. It's part of the growing pains.

For CUC I love Nassarius</em> snails and brittle stars. I also employ several urchins in my tanks because I'm an echinoid fangirl

Crabs are cool too but most are opportunistic feeders. I have a couple dozen of the tiny blue-legged hermits in my 150. I also have about 3-4 emeralds in that same tank. I avoid other crabs as IME they don't play nice.

Once you decide what kind of critters you want, check with a local sponsor to see if they will hook you up with a package. For online orders, LA has "build your own" packs and reefcleaners.org is awesome.

 

[rdnelson]

Not related to your question but....salinity looks a bit low. I like to maintain 1.025.

As for the algae, tell us your feeding habits. While it could be normal start up pains it could be over feeding. Amount and frequency along with types, sizes and quantity of fish can help us determine a possible cause.


I am going on a cruise.....on my lawnmower around my yard.

 

[sjf]

Stacy22 - Thanks for your feedback. To your point about using a local sponsor, I went over to the fish store last week as I noticed they were a sponsor here. I'll see what they can do to hook me up with some clean up crew! Btw- I had a rude awakening that CUC packages online are pretty expensive. Never thought those small little critters can be expensive

Rdnelson99 - Salinity: ok...I will raise it up some tonight. Also, the tank was filled and has been getting topped off with RO/DI water only. Also have a 125 gallon Corallife super skimmer running (not pulling any skim right now that is worth writing about). Feeding- I have to be honest, my feeding habits have been irregular (Oops). Definitely once a day at a minimum (using the 2 minute consumption rule) but sometimes when I spend time watching the fish at night, I do get pulled into the excitement of the fish hovering all around the front glass and tend to give them a "little more" (1 minute consumption). Currently, I just have 2 damsels in the 55 gallon display (1 Domino and 1 Chromis purchased from pure reef). This past week I purchased 3 Damsels, which are in QT and looking great (ones I picked up from the fish store this past weekend); I don't plan on introducing these 3 new damsels into the display tank for another 3-4 weeks. Foods I am using: Marine omega flakes, Marine pellets and LRS Reef Frenzy. Btw - I kept the MH on for 5 hrs yesterday and I can definitely see an increase in the spread of the algae (I wish I could attach a few more updated pictures here for you guys but for some reason it keeps replacing the picture on my original post!). Thanks in advance for any further guidance.....I need it as I'm hooked to this hobby!

 

[rdnelson]

My guess is that you are overfeeding with only two fish in the tank. I would cut back to once a day for sure and maybe once every two days. Fish in the ocean rarely get a meal every day.

 

[sjf]

rdnelson99;902078 wrote: My guess is that you are overfeeding with only two fish in the tank. I would cut back to once a day for sure and maybe once every two days. Fish in the ocean rarely get a meal every day.

Understood. I will stop myself from getting lured into feeding them! Thanks for the tip. I'm coachable. )

 

[sjf]

This brown algae is growing like crazy. Over a day it has spread to 4 new rocks. Hopefully the pictures attached are clear. Going to prioritize getting some CUC. However, Please let me know if you guys think this may be some other issue brewing!

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[morganatlanta]

In my experience this is totally normal as part of the tank "breaking in" process. It will go away after a while (maybe 6 months or more), but is likely to get worse before it gets better. Don't panic. If it gets too bad, get a sea hare to keep your rocks clean, then re-home it when the growth starts to fade.

 

[stacy22]

Looks like diatoms. They are single-celled silicious algae that are common in newly set up tanks. They will wane and then pretty much disappear.

 

[sjf]

Thanks guys for the prompt feedback. I appreciate it.

 

[nickg]

Yeah, be patient with it... It will come and go...