Algae on rock during cycling

[NCMamacita]

Hey Everyone! So, I’m now on day # 11 of cycling my new tank. The rocks are getting a good bit of algae growth. The LFS person told me to scrub the rock with a brush to remove some of the algae. I need your expertise please. Yes or no? Thanks!

 

[brandon429]

Any rock with algae on it is now fully cycled, you’re reefing not cycling. Approach however you like, some remove it some leave it. At least your cycle is done post pics if you can, they’ll give us more detail

when you mentioned the rocks are getting algae vs showing up already with them, that’s how we know you are done cycling and not curing off ocean rocks. Post pics for the confirmation

 

[ThePickeledReef]

Are you running lights during cycle? I would probably turn them off. I only skimmed your other treads on tank...
You can definitely manually remove some algae, I don’t know if I would scrub it now. You may have needed to let rock cure before cycle. You can still continue cycling it just may be longer and little messy as stuff dies off rock and some algae pops up.

 

[NCMamacita]

These are pics from day #1 and from this morning. I turned on the brighter light to get better pic. I used live rock and live sand for the start up. Also I run the “Deep Sea Glow” from my FluvalSmart app. Is this just going through the “ugly stage”? I’m brand new to this hobby so I’ll probably have lots of questions as the tank progresses. Thanks!

D

Day #11

 

[Cell]

Diatoms! They should generally just blow off with a turkey baster/coral feeding tube, no scrubbing should be necessary. I'd blow it off and vacuum the sand bed amidst a 30% water change. I'm guessing your nitrates are somewhat high at the moment.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

I would start off with testing the saltwater to see where you stand with nitrates, phosphates, etc. How long has the tank been up and running? I read an article that removing the diatoms and performing a water change can make them grow more, that they feed on silicas and other water parameters.

 

[vetteguy53081]

These are diatoms very much associated with a new system. Add snails such as Turbo, nerite, astrea and Trochus to help clean it up.

 

[Cell]

Also time to think about what kind of critters you want to keep that sandbed sparkling.

 

[NCMamacita]

I would start off with testing the saltwater to see where you stand with nitrates, phosphates, etc. How long has the tank been up and running? I read an article that removing the diatoms and performing a water change can make them grow more, that they feed on silicas and other water parameters.

I’ll run a water sample by my LFS today. They perform free testing as often as needed. It’s been running since 7/18.

 

[NCMamacita]

These are diatoms very much associated with a new system. Add snails such as Turbo, nerite, astrea and Trochus to help clean it up.

My LFS said I couldn’t add snails or other invertebrates until it was cycled? I have snails, hermit crabs, and a coral banded shrimp in my 5 gallon tank. Would it be ok to move them now? I also have 2 clown fish in my smaller tank, but I didn‘t want to hurt them by moving them too soon. Thoughts ?

 

[Erick Armanii]

Turn the lights off during this time. Algae is photosynthetic and will out compete the beneficial bacteria for nutrient consumption in the beginning phases of a new tank.

Diatoms are a naturally occurring thing in a reef, signs that your tank is maturing.

Also invest in a test kit.
It’s a good idea to check your parameters daily to see how the cycle is going.

 

[Erick Armanii]

My LFS said I couldn’t add snails or other invertebrates until it was cycled? I have snails, hermit crabs, and a coral banded shrimp in my 5 gallon tank. Would it be ok to move them now? I also have 2 clown fish in my smaller tank, but I didn‘t want to hurt them by moving them too soon. Thoughts ?

Might be too soon. What’s the ammonia levels at?

 

[NCMamacita]

Turn the lights off during this time. Algae is photosynthetic and will out compete the beneficial bacteria for nutrient consumption in the beginning phases of a new tank.

Diatoms are a naturally occurring thing in a reef, signs that your tank is maturing.

Also invest in a test kit.
It’s a good idea to check your parameters daily to see how the cycle is going.

What are your recommendations for a test kit? That doesn’t break the bank. I want to save my money for coral and fish.

 

[brandon429]

It's cycled (says a tank full of corals fish and cuc, dead if not cycled)

If you'll read this first page, all bac issues w be summed up and lfs won't be able to sell extra bottle bac for live rock setups that are skip cycle

Yours is group b rock, we knew by key terms in your description before pics

The microbiology of reef tank cycling.

You can skip your cycle. Ive been reefing online for twenty years and have never waited one second for a tank to cycle, because I buy rocks that are already cycled and move them home. Here's two: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/octo-high-end-sps-skip-cycle-build.713256/...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ThePickeledReef]

Red Sea Algae Control and Reef Foundations, looks like BRS just got them back in stock. Ask LFS to test water couple times for you.

 

[Erick Armanii]

Red Sea Algae Control and Reef Foundations, looks like BRS just got them back in stock. Ask LFS to test water couple times for you.

Yup! This is more important then buying coral and fish. $60 test kit vs a tank crash because you couldn’t identify a spike in phosphate.

 

[NCMamacita]

Yup! This is more important then buying coral and fish. $60 test kit vs a tank crash because you couldn’t identify a spike in phosphate.

 

[Erick Armanii]

What are your recommendations for a test kit? That doesn’t break the bank. I want to save my money for coral and fish.

You could do something very basic like an api test kit to give you a window into your tanks chemistry for a decent lower cost option. The red sea kits are a little more accurate, and Hanna is gold.

Someone posted some information about a tank cycle/bacteria cycle and for the most part a lot of that information is accurate. I would still test for ammonia, as ammonia burn is a real issue with fish. Ask me how I know :/

 

[NCMamacita]

Which test kits would you recommend?

 

[NCMamacita]

You could do something very basic like an api test kit to give you a window into your tanks chemistry for a decent lower cost option. The red sea kits are a little more accurate, and Hanna is gold.

Someone posted some information about a tank cycle/bacteria cycle and for the most part a lot of that information is accurate. I would still test for ammonia, as ammonia burn is a real issue with fish. Ask me how I know :/

Oh no! Sounds like some fish didn’t make it?? I love my clown fish and don’t want to lose them.