Help phytoplankton ?

Jasso · Dec 28, 2015

Please help
Here's what I got
Setup my new 53g tank.
Used live rock & dry rock
after one month tank cycled added 3 chromis & two small clowns.
Waited two weeks added two more pieces of my rock and diamondback Goby.
And three days later I got a phytoplankton bike in my tank please help

Reefing Madness · Dec 29, 2015

Just on the glass? Just wipe it off.
Im not seeing a skimmer on such a large tank there, that would help you.
Not enough flow either.

cu455 · Dec 29, 2015

It happens. The water will clear up on it's own.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 29, 2015

yea its normal. the last rocks came in with some good algae food and some happy funk. A tablespoon of gfo in the aquaclear will work slowly. Keep an eye on params esp ammonia.
If your going to stay aquaclear I highly recommend a HOB refugium with chato.
IMO IME my aquaclear worked better than my remora hob. There might be better brands.
if you position the powerhead into the minor flow from the aqua clear itll make some turbulence and slow down the sand blowing prob.

grainofsalt01 · Dec 29, 2015

Jasso said:
Please help
Here's what I got
Setup my new 53g tank.
Used live rock & dry rock
after one month tank cycled added 3 chromis & two small clowns.
Waited two weeks added two more pieces of my rock and diamondback Goby.
And three days later I got a phytoplankton bike in my tank please help

I notice from your picture a reflection of two large windows facing your tank. Lighting from natural sunlight can contribute to your phyto problems. Also, I would recommend to move the tank away from the windows or block the natural sunlight. Another tip is to turn the tank lights off completly when going to bed.

The next thing to look at is water source. If you use tap water, high levels of silica, phosphate and nitrate can play a major role. Even using premade saltwater like nature ocean has high levels of silica.

Start simple, check your lighting and the water you use for your tank as starting point.

Therefore
--- Try blocking the natural sunlight by using curtains or move the tank away from the light source.

--- Turn the lights off at bedtime.

--- Avoid tap water if possible and use ro/di water for water changes. This will slowly purify the high nutrients that feeding the phytoplankton.

--- Clean the phyto off the glass

--- Be patient, this can go away fast or slow. It just depends on whats causing the issue.