Bacterial bloom since starting All For Reef

[Necrodaemus]

I started dosing All For Reef 2 weeks ago and still getting it dialed in. However, since sarting, I saw a plummet in nitrates from 5-10ppm down to nearly undetectable (Salifert test). I’ve dosed NeoNitrate over the course of a few days to gently bring it back up to around 5ppm and it’s seemingly staying there.
Now, onto the main reason for this post. I’m now seeing short, white “fuzz” and snotty looking fluff/strings developing on the rocks. I’m assuming this is a bacterial bloom as a result of the carbon dosing from AFR? Will this reach an equilibrium and balance out or will I continue to be plagued by this stuff? The water remains relatively clear and I’m running a UV filter as well.

 

[bluerider098]

I've been using AFR for about 2 months now on my 2 year old tank and haven't seen either of the changes you've mentioned.

How old is your tank? Maybe it's growing pains.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I started dosing All For Reef 2 weeks ago and still getting it dialed in. However, since sarting, I saw a plummet in nitrates from 5-10ppm down to nearly undetectable (Salifert test). I’ve dosed NeoNitrate over the course of a few days to gently bring it back up to around 5ppm and it’s seemingly staying there.
Now, onto the main reason for this post. I’m now seeing short, white “fuzz” and snotty looking fluff/strings developing on the rocks. I’m assuming this is a bacterial bloom as a result of the carbon dosing from AFR? Will this reach an equilibrium and balance out or will I continue to be plagued by this stuff? The water remains relatively clear and I’m running a UV filter as well.

What is the coral and bio load in your tank?

There is a very small carbon input from the Alkalinity component in AFR, but I would expect the byproduct of that to be consumed by coral for growth.

I wouldn't expect a bacterial bloom unless overdosing.

I still would not expect a significant drop in Nitrate, but you can always dose the NP product from Fuana Marin if needed.

edit: Are you dosing based on Alkalinity or Calcium demand?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree it is unusual and unexpected to get a bacterial bloom directly caused by AFR. It isn't impossible, but I would not necessarily assume it is cause and effect.

How much are you dosing to what size tank?

Anything else different in the last month?

 

[arking_mark]

Dinos are often described as snotty...

 

[Necrodaemus]

I agree it is unusual and unexpected to get a bacterial bloom directly caused by AFR. It isn't impossible, but I would not necessarily assume it is cause and effect.

How much are you dosing to what size tank?

Anything else different in the last month?

I’m at 6ml in a 25g lagoon that is a mixed reef, Sps dominant. Could it perhaps be from where I left the filter floss media in for over a week to allow organics (food and waste) to break down more in attempt to increase nutrients?

 

[Necrodaemus]

Dinos are often described as snotty...

I’ve dealt with Dino’s and this looks nothing like that. Dinos are brown and this stuff is white and fluffy/fuzzy

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m at 6ml in a 25g lagoon that is a mixed reef, Sps dominant. Could it perhaps be from where I left the filter floss media in for over a week to allow organics (food and waste) to break down more in attempt to increase nutrients?

Detritus anywhere in the system (such as on filter material) is not generally a cause of a visible bacterial bloom in the water column.

 

[Necrodaemus]

Detritus anywhere in the system (such as on filter material) is not generally a cause of a visible bacterial bloom in the water column.

I’m not really seeing it in the water column ( it’s crystal clear)….just a light fuzziness and some fluff’s developing only on the rocks. If it weren’t white in color, I’d have suspected an algae or similar.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not really seeing it in the water column ( it’s crystal clear)….just a light fuzziness and some fluff’s developing only on the rocks. If it weren’t white in color, I’d have suspected an algae or similar.

, Oh right. Same thought on detritus not near it, however.