Algae Bloom in a New Tank

[Hugh Mann]

I recently acquired new lights for my tank, and since they've been running I've had an algae bloom on my live rock. No idea what type it is, but it doesn't look like cyanobacteria to me, and my Tomini tang grazes on it all day.

Can anyone tell me what it is, is it bad to have growing in there, and possibly how to control it, that sort of information. Thanks.

 

[rastareefs]

How long has your tank been running?

 

[Daddy-o]

How long has your reef been running?

 

[Hugh Mann]

How long has your tank been running?

Just about a month after cycling. I upgraded my lights about a week ago and that's about when this started.

 

[Hugh Mann]

How long has your reef been running?

If it matters, it's not a reef, FowLR. It's been running about a month with after cycling a few weeks. No issues until I got the new lights, then this stuff started up. This is the worst rock, but it's slowly appearing in the crushed Coral substrate and other live rocks.

 

[AZMSGT]

It’s just diatoms.. Normal for a new tank. Just get a few snails to help keep it under control. Eventually it will just go away on it’s own. may take up to 4 months before it goes.

 

[Hugh Mann]

It’s just diatoms.. Normal for a new tank. Just get a few snails to help keep it under control. Eventually it will just go away on it’s own. may take up to 4 months before it goes.

Good to know, thank you.
Any particular species of snail is better suited for controlling it?

 

[rastareefs]

Good to know, thank you.
Any particular species of snail is better suited for controlling it?

I like to use astrea snails, I would start out with about 5 and add as needed. You don't want to add too many at once as they won't have much to eat.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Good to know, thank you.
Any particular species of snail is better suited for controlling it?

I’ve heard that truchus snails are the best for diatoms, which is what that looks like. This is a normal bloom that happens in every tank. It most likely doesn’t have much to do with the new light.

 

[Hugh Mann]

I like to use astrea snails, I would start out with about 5 and add as needed. You don't want to add too many at once as they won't have much to eat.

I read those are a good option, cheap too, at my lfs, though I hear they have issues toppling over and being unable to right themselves. I have predatory fish and hermit crabs. Trochus I think are a better bet for me. Do you have problems with your Astrea's tipping over?

 

[Hugh Mann]

I’ve heard that truchus snails are the best for diatoms, which is what that looks like. This is a normal bloom that happens in every tank. It most likely doesn’t have much to do with the new light.

That's the exact one I settled on myself, just have to go get some.

Good to know. Guess it was just coincidence. Thanks.

 

[rastareefs]

I read those are a good option, cheap too, at my lfs, though I hear they have issues toppling over and being unable to right themselves. I have predatory fish and hermit crabs. Trochus I think are a better bet for me. Do you have problems with your Astrea's tipping over?

Yes they do tip over but are a cheap option. I also have trochus snails but they too have fallen prey to hermits.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Ah, okay. I guess there really isn't any 100% safe option, but that will happen when one keeps carnivores.

What about urchins? I hear they'll also eat diatoms, but prefer proper algae, which of I am not mistaken should some after the diatoms bloom.

 

[rastareefs]

Unfortunately I don't have any experience with urchins so can't help you on that one.

 

[TheShrimpNibbler]

Ah, okay. I guess there really isn't any 100% safe option, but that will happen when one keeps carnivores.

What about urchins? I hear they'll also eat diatoms, but prefer proper algae, which of I am not mistaken should some after the diatoms bloom.

I had an urchin and he did and he ate a lot of algae. I’m not sure that a diatom bloom would be enough to support one even if it did eat diatoms. I would either get snails, or just wait it out, as diatoms go away on there own after a while