Hair algae in new tank

[hllb]

My tank is only a week old. I’ve got a diatom going, but also hair algae starting to take over one of my rocks. Do I need to do something now with that or leave it be?

Nitrates are 5
Ammonia is .15
No nitrites
Ordered a phosphate test but don’t have it yet

 

[Crossfire]

Just let it cycle for the next month or so. All is normal, just leave it alone. I'd keep the lights off during this time too. Don't worry about anything yet until it's cycled!

 

[hllb]

I’ve got my lights on a 10 hr cycle right now. I can certainly reduce that. I’d prefer to have them on at least a little bit in the evenings though. Would 3 hrs be ok or still feed the algae too much?

 

[hllb]

The only things in the tank right now are an oscellaris clown, a tiny hitchhiker snail and a hitchhiker mini brittle star.

 

[Crossfire]

I wouldn't have any fish in one week old tank. Are you familiar with cycling a tank or is this your first time? That rock looks pretty old so I'm assuming you've done this before.

Yes, you can cycle a tank with fish but I wouldn't recommend it. The ammonia will build up without a biological filter to process it. Did you add any bacteria to help jump start it, like Dr. Tim's?

 

[hllb]

I wouldn't have any fish in one week old tank. Are you familiar with cycling a tank or is this your first time? That rock looks pretty old so I'm assuming you've done this before.

Yes, you can cycle a tank with fish but I wouldn't recommend it. The ammonia will build up without a biological filter to process it. Did you add any bacteria to help jump start it, like Dr. Tim's?

I used to have tanks years ago (60g reef and 120g FOWLR) and just getting back into it. Added 25 lbs of cured live rock from LFS, and starter bacteria. I should only see a mini cycle, but we’ll see. I’ve forgotten a lot, but spending time reading my books again. Did a 10% water change today and added a maintenance dose of bacteria.

 

[hllb]

Tank is a 32g biocube.

 

[Crossfire]

Love the tank! Just go slow. Please please don't add any more fish for at least another month.

 

[hllb]

Love the tank! Just go slow. Please please don't add any more fish for at least another month.

Yup, at least a month, even if water levels off. I do want to add the CUC as soon as it’s safe. I really hope my brittle star survives. He seems bigger than a micro - or maybe there are two. If there’s only 1, he’s at least 2” long.

 

[William Mumford]

I would make sure you 100% cycled before adding anything alive to your tank. a simple ammonia tester will tell you when you are cycled . Durring a cycle light is not needed at all but can be used unless you get too much algee growth. If there is too much light at any in your tank it will fuel algee growth.