Green algae

[Mmsetta]

I am cycling a new tank. It's been 2 weeks. Just using live rock and feeding the tank to start cycle. So far, 0 ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. But, seeing the beginnings of green furry looking algae.

I do not want my tank to be covered in long green algae. Should I be worried at this point? Or is this algae ok?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Green Algae? Or is it brown? Diatoms are the normal at this point, and they go away by themselves. If its green, keep your lights off while it cycles, and this should kill it off.

 

[Mmsetta]

It looks green to me.

It started as brown patches, then overnight they turned into this.

 

[fasiczka]

Just kill the lights for a few days as was mentioned above

 

[Reefing Madness]

Did you use RO water to begin the tank? Looks like the beginnings of Hair Algae, and lights out will kill it off, but it will come back if your phosphates are high.

 

[Mmsetta]

Is used to water. I have a couple of feather dusters growing out of the live rock and I want them to survive.

Going to add two small fish this week too. Should I wait until this goes away with light off first?

 

[Mmsetta]

How do I reduce phosphates? I have not been running my skimmer, will that help?

 

[Mmsetta]

Meant to say, used ro water, yes

 

[Reefing Madness]

Well, if your planning on putting in the fish, I'd throw in some Turbo Snails and such to eat that up for ya, shouldn't be a big deal with them. And then I would assume you'd turn on the skimmer also. You should be ok.

 

[Mmsetta]

I was going to start with a couple clowns since my tank is so new. Do you think it would be a good idea to start with a yellow tang instead to eat the algae? Or would the turbo snails do the trick.

 

[Dalmatia]

Try some H2o2

 

[Reefing Madness]

I would think the Turbos would do the trick. Your set up is pretty new, and not alot going on there, they should make quick work of it.

 

[Eienna]

How big is this tank? If it's under 75g (or at least 4' long, like my 50) I wouldn't use a tang.

Turbos do devour most algae of that type. However, they miss some areas because they can't fit. A mob of ceriths would do a better job. That said, my two are absolute lawnmowers, lol! I used to have quite a bit of algae growing but the turbos would leave long trails of perfectly-white rock behind them. Poor things are really hungry at the moment because I'm not growing enough algae (odd at my current nutrient levels...) to feed them. I'm having to borrow decorations from the fish-only tank for them to eat off of!

Most of what I've read suggests that some algae is a natural part of tank cycling. As long as it isn't overruning corals (which you shouldn't have yet anyway), I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Mmsetta]

What is h2o2?

 

[Mmsetta]

38g tanks FYI

 

[Eienna]

What is h2o2?

Hydrogen peroxide.

38g tanks FYI

Yup, much too small IMO.

 

[Mmsetta]

I was a history major, I struggle with those science terms. So how do I use h2o2?

 

[Eienna]

I was a history major, I struggle with those science terms. So how do I use h2o2?

I wasn't sure what it was right away either XD

Personally, I wouldn't use it this early in the game. Exactly what the dose is if you do use it, I don't recall. Maybe someone else can fill you in on that.

Instead of adding things to your tank, I would first focus on nitrate and phosphate reduction, as these fuel algae growth. What are your current test readings for these values? You may need to increase your water changes temporarily or improve your skimming.

 

[Mmsetta]

I have 0 nitrate reading, 0 ammonia. Have not tested phosphate. Just turned on my skimmer and haven't done a water change (just two weeks into cycle). So, think ill ride it out

 

[Dalmatia]

1ml for every 10 gallons