Cloudy Water Algae Bloom?

GeoHawk · Nov 27, 2013

Just set up my frag tank a couple weeks ago and I am now cycling with 3 green chromis. Its a 23 gallon. I used Macro rock, and a few pieces of live rock from my main tank. 15 gallons was from my main tank and 5 gallons fresh saltwater. I have really cloudy water now, and a diatom bloom. I have never had cloudy water with it. The fish don't seem stressed, but I was wondering how common this is and if I should do anything about it. I changed carbon 2 days ago, and have a new skimmer running on it.

Any thoughts?

NanaReefer · Nov 27, 2013

Fresh water as in RO/DI? Could also be a bacterial bloom.

brandon78 · Nov 27, 2013

Catch it while it's new. I had one a while back in a 55 gal and it took nearly a roughly 85% water change to get it under control. Almost drained the whole tank.

GeoHawk · Nov 28, 2013

Yes I use RO/DI at zero TDS. Would you use water from my display tank or fresh salt water? Do these bacterial blooms usually go away on there own? Are they harmful to fish, besides elevated ammonia or nitrates?
Thanks!!

brandon78 · Nov 28, 2013

I would do a big WC with fresh salt water. Also how much flow is running in that tank. That was my main issue. As for harmful , I would say probably if it gets bad. Mine was just cloudy, then turned into a nasty green tint.

mike007 · Nov 28, 2013

Test your water and make sure nitrates and phosphates are okay. Could be a algae bloom but it should go away. Tank has probaly not cycled yet so you need to keep a close eye on your parameters espially ammonia. Water changes wiill help. Keep that skimmer going and good water circulation. Be carefull at this time and don't overfeed the tank.

GeoHawk · Nov 30, 2013

Nitrates are zero. I did a 50% water change yesterday water still cloudy. I'm still thinking this is an algae bloom. Could it be caused by the macro rocks I added? I also added live rock from my main tanks sump. Any other thoughts besides patients? Fish seem fine.

kschweer · Nov 30, 2013

I had this happen when I first set up my frag tank as well. Like stated above try to get rid of it early, I did not and he to just about drain the tank all the way down. Are you running a sump with socks? If so you can try to stuff the sock with some filter floss. Also if you can get your hands on a micron filter like a magnum or got magnum it may be worth a shot to polish the water.

GeoHawk · Nov 30, 2013

No sump, just a HOB filter. Ive changed carbon recently and did 10 gallon of new saltwater. Should I be using my main tanks water in water changes? Does the skimmer help or make it worse by putting air in the water?

Beradd · Nov 30, 2013

any chance of a pic of the cloudy tank?

GeoHawk · Dec 1, 2013

Beradd said:
any chance of a pic of the cloudy tank?

Link to frag tank build thread with list of all equipment
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/member-tanks/137621-geohawks-fragment-small-part-coral-colony-removed-order-grow-another-colony-tank-2-0-a.html

Pictures are from this morning, any other thoughts?

kkiel02 · Dec 1, 2013

I would also do large wc and run a carbon reactor if you have one. Your nitrate sand phosphates will read low because the algae is using them up. I would think the nutrients came from your the existing lr from the display.

Plus there is always the "three days of darkness" you could look into if you think it's an algae bloom. But at the end I would still do at least a 50% change after this.

GeoHawk · Dec 1, 2013

I did a 50% water change 2 days ago. I think I will try adding more carbon to see if that helps.

brandon78 · Dec 1, 2013

If it's still cloudy after a 50% change I would go ahead and almost drain it while nothing is in it. 80% water change if not more. Your picture looks crystal clear compared to the one that happened to me lol. Imagine yours, but green and thick. I literally could not see most of my rock.