Bio Cube Week 8-Algae and Cyanobacteria

[Sean Norman]

So I am into week 8..

Things are going OK, not great and not bad..
Currently I have two Clowns- getting along great they were introduced a two weeks apart.
One Starry Blennie- doing great very entertaining.
5 Turbo Snails
2 Nasarius Snails
1 Fire Shrimp
2 Zoanthids
1 Zenia.

I had two Hermits that I have not seen in a few days. I did see the larger of the Clowns picking at one of them and I am wondering if they were eaten or are hiding.

My refugium is up and running, with a light on it all night, with Chaeto and rubble rock.
I added 5280 Pods last week- 3/4 to the refugium and the rest into the tank.

Water
Selenity 1.025
PH 8.0
DKH- at the .5 ML test it is 6
Temp 77.6
Nitites-0
Nitrates-0
Ammonia .1- barely changed color between the 0 and .2 on the Red Sea test kit

I have been doing 5 gallon water changes( 32 gallon Bio Cube) each week using RODI water that I am making myself and using Red Sea salt.

Began to have an algae bloom two weeks ago, it was slow going, but has now evolved into Cyanobacteria( Red) on the sand and on some rocks.
I put Chemi-Pure Elite into by filter rack- and had a huge change in algae- much reduced on the glass and the water is extremely clear.

Corals are doing Ok- some growth on the Zenia and the Zoa's are open but not much growth.

Questions:

1.) I have some Bubble Algae on a single rock- should I remove it and scrub it off?

2.) Let the Chemi Pure work on the Cyano Bacteria? Or take a different approach?

3. Should I reduce the water changes down to 10%?

Thanks.

 

[Katrina71]

Your ammonia should be 0.

 

[lapin]

1.) I have some Bubble Algae on a single rock- should I remove it and scrub it off?

Yes get it while early.

3. Should I reduce the water changes down to 10%?

Yes the is no need for 25% water changes

2.) Let the Chemi Pure work on the Cyano Bacteria? Or take a different approach?

Siphon as much out as you can. It will pass in time.

Remeber you have a new tank. 8 weeks is nothing. Let it ride for about 6 months.

 

[Dom]

It's a new tank. Chances are it will all self correct.

 

[wesman42]

It's a new tank. Chances are it will all self correct.

The bubble algae most certainly will not. Nasty stuff really. Not even vibrant has touched mine. Emerald crabs in droves didn't do it for me either. Even got a Foxface.

Get the bubble algae the hell away from your tank. As far as possible.

 

[Dom]

The bubble algae most certainly will not.

Agreed.

If at all possible, the rock (or whatever the bubble algae is attached to) should be removed and cleaned in an effort to prevent spores from flooding the tank in the event of a rupture while removing.

If it must be removed in the tank, it's best to do it using a siphon during a water change. This isn't to say that it will siphon off (although it may). But during manual removal, if there is a rupture, the siphon will grab most of the spores and minimize spreading.