Help! Sky high nitrates and Algea

[Oldsalt01]

The red algae looks more like cyano to me, which could be a result of the higher nitrates. I would suspect some die off from having the rocks out of the water, so maybe a mini cycle. Dosing bacteria will help. As long as the residents, coals and fish aren’t negatively reacting I wouldn’t worry too much. Don’t over-react to it.

 

[Oldsalt01]

The red algae looks like cyano to me. You may be having a mini-cycle from die-off from lack of water. Adding bacteria will not hurt. Definitely look at another test kit.... salifert is a great choice. Most important that you don’t over-react. Do another 25-30%water change and give it some time to settle down. Nitrate is relatively benign so don’t worry too much.

 

[DudeBruh]

Yeah after looking around it’s def cyano.... any ideas on the grey / dead looking coating in the one pic

 

[BestMomEver]

I wanted to say that I am like you. I worry... a lot! And I always need to do something to something to make something better or keep something from going bad. I feel your pain! If I could offer anything is to tell you that you will be a great reefer. Anyone so willing to do what you’re doing obviously cares a great deal about their tank and inhabitants. Everything is gonna be ok.... I promise. Take a breath and sit back and analyze. Oh.... don’t test your water all the time... it’s like watching the stock market. You’ll get an ulcer and live in a state of panic. Let your eyes guide you. When you see something strange check it out. Other than that, don’t torture yourself. As frustrating as cyano, hair algae, bryopsis, etc can be, they are natural processes that everyone in this hobby has endured.

 

[DudeBruh]

I wanted to say that I am like you. I worry... a lot! And I always need to do something to something to make something better or keep something from going bad. I feel your pain! If I could offer anything is to tell you that you will be a great reefer. Anyone so willing to do what you’re doing obviously cares a great deal about their tank and inhabitants. Everything is gonna be ok.... I promise. Take a breath and sit back and analyze. Oh.... don’t test your water all the time... it’s like watching the stock market. You’ll get an ulcer and live in a state of panic. Let your eyes guide you. When you see something strange check it out. Other than that, don’t torture yourself. As frustrating as cyano, hair algae, bryopsis, etc can be, they are natural processes that everyone in this hobby has endured.

Haha I hear ya..... I’m a very busy person.... grandmother beat it into my head early..... “idle hands........”
With all things in life experience talks so looking for advice, thank you for your input.
Anyone have sound advice on the lights on/ off deal? Don’t want to feed algea but my mushroom folds up after 8 hours of no light.... maybe very little? All things in moderation?

 

[Oldsalt01]

Yeah after looking around it’s def cyano.... any ideas on the grey / dead looking coating in the one pic

Could be just dead algae or maybe a sponge, or a bacterial coating from die-off. Not sure what pic ur talking about. I was like you.... always"tweaking" the tank, and it seemed the more I tested or worried about something, the more problems I created. Remember that your tank is an artificial environment but will behave like a natural one only on a smaller scale. The smaller the tank, the quicker things seem to go off the rails. Give it some time to settle down. As long as the fish are behaving normally i don't think you have a huge problem. Do you have a clean-up crew in there? They can help control your algae problems to a certain extent, but will add to the nutrients.

 

[mcarroll]

If possible, get your results double-checked at the LFS.

phosphates

Need these....^^^

Water has never been clearer and fish seem happy. What is causing this????

It's not so strange when you realize most of what you hear about nutrients is either not helpful or not even true. Lots of hair-on-fire handwaving...or whatever.

Nitrates are a fine example. Assuming your test results are accurate for the moment, what are the nitrates hurting? Nothing. That's because nitrates aren't toxic or poisonous or anything of the sort. Nitrates are a form of nutrient....nitrogen to be specific. Every cell is loaded with N. When you think of nitrates as a nutrient, then you should realize why you and the tank both really have nothing to worry about.

Once you/we get things balanced, the tank will be consuming nutrients like these FAST and this issue will be history.

That's assuming your test results are accurate. No assumptions, pls. Get your results double-checked...and get a test for phosphate done (or buy one) as well.

Knowing nitrates and phosphate levels puts you in a 1000% better position to deal with your situation.

 

[BestMomEver]

Haha I hear ya..... I’m a very busy person.... grandmother beat it into my head early..... “idle hands........”
With all things in life experience talks so looking for advice, thank you for your input.
Anyone have sound advice on the lights on/ off deal? Don’t want to feed algea but my mushroom folds up after 8 hours of no light.... maybe very little? All things in moderation?

Lighting an be tricky but here’s my take on it. Some lights are better than others (build quality, par values, blue vs white vs color, etc). You’ll find as many opinions as there are ways to do it. Most lights, in my opinion, are workable depending on what you want to keep. ALL will grow algae... from the cheapest to the most expensive. Jason Fox keeps his Radions at full bore all day with no ill effects. Some keep their lights at 40% for only 4-6 hours. You do what fits your setup. New tanks will grow stuff that you may not want. Older tanks are typically pretty stable. If I were you, I’d turn the intensity down a bit for a little while then do what’s necessary to help this algae/cyano/brio bloom on its way out.

 

[DudeBruh]

Need these....^^^



It's not so strange when you realize most of what you hear about nutrients is either not helpful or not even true. Lots of hair-on-fire handwaving...or whatever.

Nitrates are a fine example. Assuming your test results are accurate for the moment, what are the nitrates hurting? Nothing. That's because nitrates aren't toxic or poisonous or anything of the sort. Nitrates are a form of nutrient....nitrogen to be specific. Every cell is loaded with N. When you think of nitrates as a nutrient, then you should realize why you and the tank both really have nothing to worry about.

Once you/we get things balanced, the tank will be consuming nutrients like these FAST and this issue will be history.

That's assuming your test results are accurate. No assumptions, pls. Get your results double-checked...and get a test for phosphate done (or buy one) as well.

Knowing nitrates and phosphate levels puts you in a 1000% better position to deal with your situation.

Purchased the reccomended salifert nitrate test kit. I’ll have to get a phosphate test kit in time. Will post results when I get home.

 

[DudeBruh]

Could be just dead algae or maybe a sponge, or a bacterial coating from die-off. Not sure what pic ur talking about. I was like you.... always"tweaking" the tank, and it seemed the more I tested or worried about something, the more problems I created. Remember that your tank is an artificial environment but will behave like a natural one only on a smaller scale. The smaller the tank, the quicker things seem to go off the rails. Give it some time to settle down. As long as the fish are behaving normally i don't think you have a huge problem. Do you have a clean-up crew in there? They can help control your algae problems to a certain extent, but will add to the nutrients.

Pic in question is end of the first page. Third of three pics

 

[Oldsalt01]

Purchased the reccomended salifert nitrate test kit. I’ll have to get a phosphate test kit in time. Will post results when I get home.

DO NOT depend on API phosphate test, if you have one. They test for “high-range” phos and Ull need at least a. “low-range” test. Not really critical right now but soon your tank will start processing nitrate to phosphate. Salifert makes a great low-range test as does Red Sea. I ultimately went to a Hanna ULR tester because my old eyes had a tough time reading the color chart. I’m glad I did because my results are more consistent. They’re about $50 but worth the money although can be a bit tricky to use initially. Just think of your tank like your lawn. It processes nitrate/phosphate as food for the grass (algae), so higher levels will make the grass grow faster. Some Reefer’s go to ultra low nutrients but it can be time consuming, mostly for high end SPS. I feel some nutrients are ok as they give the opportunity for more biodiversity. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Oldsalt01]

Sorry. I meant to say Hanna ULR PHOSPHORUS tester. MUCH more accurate than the PHOSPHATE tester. Brain fart!

 

[DudeBruh]

So salifert test was the same results...

 

[Oldsalt01]

Wow! Still, nitrates are relatively benign. I thinking u have a mini cycle happening from having the rock out of the water for 2+ hours. Another large water change will help bring it down, but ur chasing ur tail. Dose bacteria per instructions and wait a while. The tank will stabilize when it’s ready. I’d also cut way back on feeding for a few days and maybe vacuum the sand with the water change.

 

[DudeBruh]

Thanks for advise, will do

 

[DudeBruh]

So to update the situation a little as per help given. Cut back on daily water changes and do one 30 gal change every 4/5 days. Tried a nitrate reducer from API ( media is a bag you stick in sump) and now am at around 80. Hopefully time will bring it down but more importantly believe I’m facing Dino....

 

[mcarroll]

Would taking a sample to the LFS be the fastest way to get your phosphates checked?

 

[DudeBruh]

Would taking a sample to the LFS be the fastest way to get your phosphates checked?

If they do that, I’ll bring them a sample for a second test. I bought someone’s “ quiting the hobby sale” last weekend and obtained an api master kit, so I believe I have that now. This week has been hectic with K, grade, middle, and high school back to school nights but will try to get a test tonight. As always thank you so much for all of your time it’s truly appreciated.
I’m leaning toward Dino bc My rust/ brown covering 1) has tiny air bubbles and with lights on rocks that are covered bubble like an air stone ( would try to get a video but cut the lights off and am keeping them off for now). Oddly enough sand doesn’t bubble though... 2) have lost a large turbo snail and smaller Cerith this week. 3) tank looks good first thing in morning, but bad when I’m home from work after lights have been on.

 

[mcarroll]

Definitely let us know! (You may want to predictively pick up some phosphate fertilizer from the LFS on your way home. )

 

[DudeBruh]

Definitely let us know! (You may want to predictively pick up some phosphate fertilizer from the LFS on your way home. )

Any brand reccomended?