Lighting?

[Crocpete]

Hi, brand new to hobby and my tank is less than a month old. I currently have this lighting system: https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=34953
It is in the default program, about 8 hours of daylight with an hour sunrise & sunset & then blue moonlight for about 12 hours. Is this ok? I am starting to get a decent amount of algae and I’m thinking it could be the light setting. The tank has cycled thanks to Dr Tims, but I am curious as to my lighting options. What settings are recommended, etc. Thanks in advance

 

[Justfebreezeit]

The tank is likely just going through an ugly stage of algae growth and is very normal for a tank that age. Just keep up on whatever maintenance you do and make sure you aren't over feeding and it will go away on its own.

If you have no coral you can reduce the photo period some to reduce the algae growth.

 

[Crocpete]

The tank is likely just going through an ugly stage of algae growth and is very normal for a tank that age. Just keep up on whatever maintenance you do and make sure you aren't over feeding and it will go away on its own.

If you have no coral you can reduce the photo period some to reduce the algae growth.

That’s

The tank is likely just going through an ugly stage of algae growth and is very normal for a tank that age. Just keep up on whatever maintenance you do and make sure you aren't over feeding and it will go away on its own.

If you have no coral you can reduce the photo period some to reduce the algae growth.

Ok. I haven’t been feeding at all, that’s why I was nervous. I think I have Cyano & green hair and diatoms. Just got a small CUC and 2 macroalgae, but nothing else. That leads to another question: How do I measure nutrients? I keep reading about nutrient levels but how do I check them. My ammonia, nitrites & nitrates are 0.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

That’s

Ok. I haven’t been feeding at all, that’s why I was nervous. I think I have Cyano & green hair and diatoms. Just got a small CUC and 2 macroalgae, but nothing else. That leads to another question: How do I measure nutrients? I keep reading about nutrient levels but how do I check them. My ammonia, nitrites & nitrates are 0.

Nitrates and Phosphates are what most people are referring to as nutrients. What test kit are you using to measure Nitrates? Investing in a phosphate test kit would also be a good idea. I like the HANNA Ulr Phosphorus checker personally.

You want these two to be low in a new tank but not undetectable.

Likely no matter what you test your nutrients at the solution at this stage would be the same. Give it time to sort itself out. Your tank is going through many different cycles and balancing acts the first year of its life, the first 4 or so being pretty up and down.

 

[jeffmr4]

Hi and welcome to Reef2Reef. Nitrates and phosphates are generally indications of nutrients. If your nitrates are 0 that is a good sign. Sometimes the algae in the tank consumes the nutrients faster than your test kit can measure them, leading to questionable readings from your test kits. Hanna has a good phosphate tester. Generally I think .1 or less is good for phosphate. Nitrate can be 5 to 10. Hair algae and diatoms should go away like Justfebreezit said. If you want to test your lighting some more you could turn off the moonlight and see if that helps at all. Also, its hard to tell about the growth without knowing the size of your tank, the blue and white light settings for your light, amount of flow and if it covers most of the tank, inhabitants, etc. Post some more information and maybe even some pictures. The cyanobacteria you could get rid of with chemi-clean but maybe make some other adjustments, see if they affect things at all and then think about that.

 

[Crocpete]

Wow, quick answers & great info! I am using a Koralia 250 powerhead for flow and a HOB Aqueon filter for oxygen & surface agitation. The carbon filter has been removed and I have a phosphate filter in there.

 

[jeffmr4]

Nice that you have some filtration. I'd put the carbon back in, remove the phosphate remover and see that there is some sort of sediment removal with the Aqueon. As far as the algae issue goes it looks like it could be somewhat of a flow issue. I'm not sure of the size of the tank looking at it but using a 1k gyre or coralvue xf230 gyre, if you have the money, would probably solve any flow issues. If you got one I'd put it a couple of inches below the surface on the right side.

 

[jeffmr4]

Glad to help, by the way!

 

[Crocpete]

Nice that you have some filtration. I'd put the carbon back in, remove the phosphate remover and see that there is some sort of sediment removal with the Aqueon. As far as the algae issue goes it looks like it could be somewhat of a flow issue. I'm not sure of the size of the tank looking at it but using a 1k gyre or coralvue xf230 gyre, if you have the money, would probably solve any flow issues. If you got one I'd put it a couple of inches below the surface on the right side.

Thanks Jeffmr4! I’m done for a little while spending money! Need to work with what I have, my tank is only 20 gallons (long) 24x16x13. The powerhead is 250gph, it seems to be enough. I had a really cheap one at first that was 650gph and was like a tornado in there! I use it know to mix the salt & RODI water. I am going to get 2 more hermit crabs to get at the hair algae and buy I think my snails are slowly making progress on the rest of the slimy crap. I will remove the phosphate filter and put back the carbon. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dom]

Hi, brand new to hobby and my tank is less than a month old. I currently have this lighting system: https://m.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=34953
It is in the default program, about 8 hours of daylight with an hour sunrise & sunset & then blue moonlight for about 12 hours. Is this ok? I am starting to get a decent amount of algae and I’m thinking it could be the light setting. The tank has cycled thanks to Dr Tims, but I am curious as to my lighting options. What settings are recommended, etc. Thanks in advance

I like you choice of lighting. I have a pair of those on my 40 long.

The most likely cause is that it is a new tank. I wouldn't change anything and give the tank time to mature. Your nitrates may be elevated because your nitrifying bacteria colony hasn't grown to handle the bio load. I would wait a few months before starting to make changes.