Algae & Nitrates

[jazzmik]

2 quick questions...

Trying to determine what kind of algae in the attached pic. Not sure if it's start of coraline or something else.

2nd is my nitrates are always 10-20. All other numbers are in line. I've also had the IM mini reactor running biopellets the last couple weeks thinking that would help but still the same.

Thanks in advance!

 

[twilliard]

That may be the start of an algae.
Your no3 will not have a huge impact on on the growth.
Weather you are at 1 ppm or 20 ppm makes no difference as that is just one element of survival.

 

[kevindo123]

Your tanks looks like it was recently cycled. The green algae on the rocks are perfectly normal. The coralline algae will grow after that.

 

[jazzmik]

Thanks.

As far as the nitrates not really checking if they will contribute to the algae more of a question of why I can't get them down... at least below 10.

Yes it cycled about a month ago.

 

[twilliard]

The rise in no3 will be due to what you are adding to the tank.
Getting no3 down is from using a natural process of export or large (over 50%) water changes.

 

[kevindo123]

Your yellow finger gorgonian will need to be feed twice a day (morning and night) so they can open up. If you like them, you will need to control your nitrate/phosphate due to heavy feeding. If you have large sump, think about an algae scrubber or a refugium to grow algae. A biopellets reactor may not be good as one of these, I think. I have one and it's a pain to adjust.

 

[jazzmik]

Your yellow finger gorgonian will need to be feed twice a day (morning and night) so they can open up. If you like them, you will need to control your nitrate/phosphate due to heavy feeding. If you have large sump, think about an algae scrubber or a refugium to grow algae. A biopellets reactor may not be good as one of these, I think. I have one and it's a pain to adjust.

It's an AIO JBJ 45 so not a big sump. Using the innovative marine reactor - midsize and it's as easy as it gets to adjust, so no issues there.

I'll look into an algae scrubber although not sure I have the room for it in back.

thanks for input!