Algae Problem Starting?

[Beausoleiljacob]

Hi Reefers,
My tank now has been set up since Christmas and just 2 weeks ago added my Clean Up Crew & then just this week added my paired firefish. Anyways, my lights have been running on an 10 Hour Total Schedule. However, I decided to reduce it to a 9 Hour Total Schedule (Blues on 11 to 8 & Whites 12 to 7). However, is the best thing to do to reduce this problem. In my refugium there is a brown algae bloom (Diatoms) & then in my display tank I see the beginnings of that brown algae on the sand bed and on the rocks. What should I do?

Ps. Rock was dry rock. Was cured and cycled Previous to setting up 2 months +. Used RO/DI water for whole tank volume. Used Live sand.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Completely normal phases.
Should have waited longer on livestock prob. Biofilter is now struggling to keep up a bit . Normal phases exacerbated by bioload(and feeding).
Keep testing the params esp ammonia.
Prime and stability by seachem as directed. Be ready for weekly water changes. run a bag of activated carbon.
Good plan on the lights. Adjust the 9hr cycle to your work schedule so you can see it and keep an eye on it.
Limit feedings to the amount your fish will eat.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

Completely normal phases.
Should have waited longer on livestock prob. Biofilter is now struggling to keep up a bit . Normal phases exacerbated by bioload(and feeding).
Keep testing the params esp ammonia.
Prime and stability by seachem as directed. Be ready for weekly water changes. run a bag of activated carbon.
Good plan on the lights. Adjust the 9hr cycle to your work schedule so you can see it and keep an eye on it.
Limit feedings to the amount your fish will eat.

Is 9hours good to reduce algae or should I make it even shorter?

 

[kevindo123]

That is normal, nothing to worry about. The brown diatom will follow by green algae. Keep doing water changes and keep your nitrate and phosphate low. I'm in my six week now and the brown algae has been replaced with green algae.

 

[steve&mari]

Completely normal phases.
Should have waited longer on livestock prob. Biofilter is now struggling to keep up a bit . Normal phases exacerbated by bioload(and feeding).
Keep testing the params esp ammonia.
Prime and stability by seachem as directed. Be ready for weekly water changes. run a bag of activated carbon.
Good plan on the lights. Adjust the 9hr cycle to your work schedule so you can see it and keep an eye on it.
Limit feedings to the amount your fish will eat.

All great advice and completely normal with newly setup systems. Keep on track with testing and wc going slowly with livestock you'll do fine.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is 9hours good to reduce algae or should I make it even shorter?

dont sweat the lights. Its not what makes algae. Besides it hard to see your reef.

Keep on track with testing and wc going slowly with livestock you'll do fine.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

That is normal, nothing to worry about. The brown diatom will follow by green algae. Keep doing water changes and keep your nitrate and phosphate low. I'm in my six week now and the brown algae has been replaced with green algae.

Just tested and my ammonia is 0. Phosphate is .25 or 0 I can't really tell. Nitrate = 0. Also how often do you reccomend clean filter socks

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

If you look at the rocks there are little specs of green and brown. On the glass too there is some areas.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

If you look at the rocks there are little specs of green and brown. On the glass too there are some areas.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you look at the rocks there are little specs of green and brown. On the glass too there are some areas.

yup.

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

yup.

Are my levels okay for now? Or should I do a water change??

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

When was the last time you did one? 10% every 2 weeks and clean the filters before.
Its weird and counter intuitive to just sit and wait. But thats what you do.
Patience is key. Clean it up if it gets gross but really only once a week @ water change.
Patience is key.
While I wait I like to read.
These folks hang out here and can Really be called experts.

This is Melev. Awsome guy.
http://melevsreef.com/node/1970
This is Randy Holmes Farley
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
Renee
http://www.lionfishlair.com/
Chuck
http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/sitemap.html


Me. Im just a hack who tries to help folks.
I like bugs n stuff.
That phase should be coming soon.

 

[SATXBrian]

I'm in the same boat, my tank is about a week away from the 3 month point. It's...refreshing?...to see I'm not the only one. Great info here. Patience. I need to remember that.

Brian

 

[Beausoleiljacob]

When was the last time you did one? 10% every 2 weeks and clean the filters before.
Its weird and counter intuitive to just sit and wait. But thats what you do.
Patience is key. Clean it up if it gets gross but really only once a week @ water change.
Patience is key.
While I wait I like to read.
These folks hang out here and can Really be called experts.

This is Melev. Awsome guy.
http://melevsreef.com/node/1970
This is Randy Holmes Farley
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/
Renee
http://www.lionfishlair.com/
Chuck
http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/sitemap.html


Me. Im just a hack who tries to help folks.
I like bugs n stuff.
That phase should be coming soon.

I haven't done a water change since I set the tank up a few days after Christmas. Also, I have changed my Socks 3 times already. I will do a water change tomorrow I think!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea it's about time then.