Green Algae on Rocks

[randyreef93]

Hi all.

My tank has been established now a few weeks and my rocks have started to grow algae I assume looks a bit like moss, is this a bad thing? I’ve got cleaner shrimp, Halloween crabs and snails in there currently, I am hoping they will eat it… or is my lighting too excessive?

Is this the start of the ugly stage or should I be concerned?

 

[shakacuz]

established for a few weeks as in, the cycle is complete? you’re likely seeing the ugly’s start. if there are no fish you can leave the lights off a few days to cut back on the algae growth. the inverts will be fine with no lights

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Hi all.

My tank has been established now a few weeks and my rocks have started to grow algae I assume looks a bit like moss, is this a bad thing? I’ve got cleaner shrimp, Halloween crabs and snails in there currently, I am hoping they will eat it… or is my lighting too excessive?

Is this the start of the ugly stage or should I be concerned?

I left my lights off, even with fish, for 3 1/2" months, the only inverts were CUC. That made a TREMENDOUS difference in how much of the "uglies" I saw.

 

[twentyleagues]

Fish dont need lighting ambient room light is enough. I have done lights off and lights on saw little difference in "ugly" stage. With lights on its just going to start sooner. Either way you and the animals you decide to put in will have the biggest impact on how "bad" it gets. Snails, copepods, amphipods, fish such as tangs if you have the tank size for them, blennies, urchins, crabs if you trust them (I don't). Keeping the lights off longer does help to "balance" your tank with appropriate cuc and nutrient control before it gets out of hand.

 

[doubleshot00]

Post a pic of what you refer as "algae". May just be part of the ugglies.

 

[Jekyl]

Unfortunately and due to product marketing everyone new to the hobby thinks algae is something to eradicate. When starting with dry rock, algae is a normal progression. Not something to freak out over. Manage, not eliminate.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Picture could help us see specifically what kind of algae it is, but from your description it sounds like the "ugly phase" of a tank

 

[randyreef93]

Picture could help us see specifically what kind of algae it is, but from your description it sounds like the "ugly phase" of a tank

 

[randyreef93]

Picture could help us see specifically what kind of algae it is, but from your description it sounds like the "ugly phase" of a tank

 

[randyreef93]

Post a pic of what you refer as "algae". May just be part of the ugglies.

 

[doubleshot00]

Are you running your light? I assume so. Those bobbles are not a good sign.

 

[randyreef93]

Are you running your light? I assume so. Those bobbles are not a good sign.

Yeah I am, I thought as much…. What is it bubble algae? Shall I turn them off?

 

[doubleshot00]

Yeah I am, I thought as much…. What is it bubble algae? Shall I turn them off?

I would turn the lights off but what are your nitrates and phosphates?

Those bubbles look like Dinos but lets hope not.

 

[randyreef93]

Both at 0

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I would most definitely recommend turning the lights off. You will not need light for fish, and it will go a very long way in curbing the uglies.

 

[doubleshot00]

Both at 0

Ill almost guarantee you have dinos at this point.

Couple of questions.

How did you cycle the tank?
Where are you getting your guidance on your tank?

 

[randyreef93]

I haven’t put any chemicals in, it was filled with salt water, filtered, reef flow 2.0 in there, snails, crabs and cleaner shrimps, this has only happened rapidly over the last few days but I have had the lights on for 10 hours a day…..

 

[Lavey29]

I would turn the lights off but what are your nitrates and phosphates?

Those bubbles look like Dinos but lets hope not.

It's not dinos in a tank that new. Green algae can pearl to. Diatoms produce air bubbles also and is typically the first ugly stage to show up.

OP you will get quite a few variations of ugly phase algae and bacteria over the course of the first year. Just part of the hobby.

 

[stewy14]

The appearance and growth of algae in an aquarium is not bad, it's just the natural order of things. In fact, it shows that an aquarium is well balanced and healthy, and the cultivation of macroalgae forms is actually beneficial. just get some Nassarius and astrea snails

 

[randyreef93]

It's not dinos in a tank that new. Green algae can pearl to. Diatoms produce air bubbles also and is typically the first ugly stage to show up.

best to keep the lights off?

It's not dinos in a tank that new. Green algae can pearl to. Diatoms produce air bubbles also and is typically the first ugly stage to show up.

Shall I keep the lights off?