Corals + feeding = quicker algae growth than FOWLR?

[WiscoFishNut]

So I'm brand new to reef tanks and I've already seen a huge difference in upkeep vs a FOWLR build. I have a 20g Coral QT going that cycled for 4 weeks basically and has been running with less than a dozen assorted corals in it for about 2.5 weeks. I feed reef chili every other day per the bottle instructions. After the first week and a half the brown algae blew up! I ran a FOWLR setup for about 4 months with a decent bio load and saw nothing like this. Caveat - I've had challenges with the protein skimmer, so it's not running at all yet. Is this a pretty normal thing, or am I doing anything wrong? I do weekly 25% water changes, use Instant Ocean RC, my water is RO only, not RODI - 5-6ppm TDS. Is the water the problem, or am I shooting myself in the foot by not getting the dang skimmer running properly? Or both lol

 

[j.falk]

Diatoms are a normal part of a new reef tank.

More info: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/cycle-process-and-stages.284898/#post-3461668

 

[Waters]

So I'm brand new to reef tanks and I've already seen a huge difference in upkeep vs a FOWLR build. I have a 20g Coral QT going that cycled for 4 weeks basically and has been running with less than a dozen assorted corals in it for about 2.5 weeks. I feed reef chili every other day per the bottle instructions. After the first week and a half the brown algae blew up! I ran a FOWLR setup for about 4 months with a decent bio load and saw nothing like this. Caveat - I've had challenges with the protein skimmer, so it's not running at all yet. Is this a pretty normal thing, or am I doing anything wrong? I do weekly 25% water changes, use Instant Ocean RC, my water is RO only, not RODI - 5-6ppm TDS. Is the water the problem, or am I shooting myself in the foot by not getting the dang skimmer running properly? Or both lol

As stated, Diatoms are normal. That being said, I stopped using the bottled coral foods......every time i used them I got algae explosions.....I just started feeding the fish a lot more which doesn't seem to affect algae growth in my tank.

 

[WiscoFishNut]

As stated, Diatoms are normal. That being said, I stopped using the bottled coral foods......every time i used them I got algae explosions.....I just started feeding the fish a lot more which doesn't seem to affect algae growth in my tank.

Thanks for the response! The only non coral bits in the tank are a couple shrimp and a few snails. I've been feeding the inverts seaweed pellets. I'll try what you said and cut out altogether the coral food or maybe cut it in half.

 

[Tamberav]

I just feed the fish good frozen like LRS and maybe target feed the LPS that have mouths. The corals catch whats in the fish food floating around and fish poop.

Reef chili or reef roids every other day on a 4 week old tank is just crazy. I can't imagine that not causing problems.

 

[WiscoFishNut]

I just feed the fish good frozen like LRS and maybe target feed the LPS that have mouths. The corals catch whats in the fish food floating around and fish poop.

Reef chili or reef roids every other day on a 4 week old tank is just crazy. I can't imagine that not causing problems.

That's what I needed to hear! Thanks very much for the advice. I do have some Rod's frozen and PE Mysis on hand that I can switch to.