Do I have too much light?

[gabrielw94106]

Ive been dealing with mostly green algae and diatoms or dino still figuring it out but all my parameters are within normal ranges. Recently I was thinking maybe I have a long photo period. I have a stock fluval 13.5. Ive been running the blue setting from 7am to 9am then white and blue from 9 to 5 and then blue from 5 to 9. Should I cut these times back and possibly for how long?

 

[Sdot]

double post

 

[Sdot]

Ive been dealing with mostly green algae and diatoms or dino still figuring it out but all my parameters are within normal ranges. Recently I was thinking maybe I have a long photo period. I have a stock fluval 13.5. Ive been running the blue setting from 7am to 9am then white and blue from 9 to 5 and then blue from 5 to 9. Should I cut these times back and possibly for how long?

A couple of questions.

1. How long has your tank been setup?
2. What is your tested nutrient levels?

While light can fuel algae growth, it only happens if there is an abundance of excess nutrients and nothing to consume them... therefore you give opportunistic algae and bacteria a chance to use them for food.

 

[LegendaryCG]

The whites encourage algae growth, if you drop that back a hour or two it may help but keep in mind that they can only consume something already in the tank. IE water change and reduced feeding will make the biggest impact.

 

[gabrielw94106]

double post

Its been up for like 2 months and Im getting stable params of 420ppm calcium 161.1 dkh 3 ppm of nitrates. I do believe the nitrates are a bit high currently working on lowering them

 

[gabrielw94106]

The whites encourage algae growth, if you drop that back a hour or two it may help but keep in mind that they can only consume something already in the tank. IE water change and reduced feeding will make the biggest impact.

Well it has only snails in right now and im still testing if it is dino because I was reading to cut back on water changes as it feeds dino so I dont wanna do a huge water change right now

 

[lpsouth1978]

Nitrates @3ppm is NOT high at all! I would not focus on that number. Having Nitrates that are too low, can/will do more harm than having them slightly elevated (like causing dinos). Pictures of the tank and the algae in question will help us help you!

 

[LegendaryCG]

Dinos will be stringy and appear to have bubbles. Green algae is a pretty clear nutrient problem. Also keep in mind your goal for the tank is important to consider, softie tanks require more nutrient while SPS tanks require very little.

 

[Sdot]

Its been up for like 2 months and Im getting stable params of 420ppm calcium 161.1 dkh 3 ppm of nitrates. I do believe the nitrates are a bit high currently working on lowering them

What about phosphates? In my experience, high phosphates normally contribute to algae issues.

 

[gabrielw94106]

Nitrates @3ppm is NOT high at all! I would not focus on that number. Having Nitrates that are too low, can/will do more harm than having them slightly elevated (like causing dinos). Pictures of the tank and the algae in question will help us help you!

Ill add pictures here.

 

[LegendaryCG]

Looks like a young tank without issues. Keep doing your thing,

 

[gabrielw94106]

Dinos will be stringy and appear to have bubbles. Green algae is a pretty clear nutrient problem. Also keep in mind your goal for the tank is important to consider, softie tanks require more nutrient while SPS tanks require very little.

They have been having some long stringy parts with bubbles in them and the rock does just have bubbles on the algae from time to time

 

[gabrielw94106]

(offtopic) I had no idea anthelia would grow like 8 new polyps in a week

 

[gabrielw94106]

What about phosphates? In my experience, high phosphates normally contribute to algae issues.

I actually have to do a phosphate test, Ill post the results after just currently eating

 

[lpsouth1978]

Honestly, all I see is a young tank going through a little bit of the uglies. This looks like normal stuff that will go away in time and with proper maintenance. I would not lower the Nitrates and go ahead and test for Phosphates. Keep Phosphates from 0.03-0.1, and nitrates from 10-20 and things will be fine.

 

[gabrielw94106]

Honestly, all I see is a young tank going through a little bit of the uglies. This looks like normal stuff that will go away in time and with proper maintenance. I would not lower the Nitrates and go ahead and test for Phosphates. Keep Phosphates from 0.03-0.1, and nitrates from 10-20 and things will be fine.

Yeah I was really hoping I just wanted to make sure and not just let a problem escalate out of control. Thank you all for the responses and help!

 

[Sdot]

They have been having some long stringy parts with bubbles in them and the rock does just have bubbles on the algae from time to time

As @LegendaryCG mentioned you have a pretty young tank. Until it gets established... you will have to work harder to reduce high level of nutrients until you are balanced on beneficial algae, bacteria....etc. Right now if i were you i would use algae to reduce your levels in your tank (beneficial algae in a fuge) and/ or have animals that will eat algae in your display.

 

[LegendaryCG]

(offtopic) I had no idea anthelia would grow like 8 new polyps in a week

Yes its probably about the fastest growing soft coral, or at least comparable to Xenia and Cespitularia. I like the natural approach to limit growth - LPS/SPS are unlikely to lose a battle against softies.

 

[Kan9]

They have been having some long stringy parts with bubbles in them and the rock does just have bubbles on the algae from time to time

So do chrysophytes-a type of diatom algae