New reefer. New tank. Stupid algae!

[Gdk414]

So I've had the tank running since the first of September. I cured the rock in the tank. I'm wondering if it's still not cured yet. Nitrates high and brown or green hair algae has been slowly overtaking the tank the past month or so. Attached is the results of my last test. It's the 44 gallon tank.
I feed about half a cube to a full cube of mysis to my seahorse and pajama cardinal. There is also an emerald crab in there. No snails yet. Might get 20 or 30 tonight. Something else to consider is that I don't have a sump or a skimmer. I am running a fluval 306 canister filter. I have been keeping to a bi weekly 10 to 20 percent water change. Might this problem work itself out? Or is there anything else I could be doing? I do plan on adding a skimmer in the very near future as well. Thanks

 

[ruth howard]

Sounds like a lot of food for 2 creatures. I am fighting a little algae, as well. Everyone told me to cut down the lighting schedule, cut down on feeding, and skim wet. I know you don't have a skimmer, but you might want to get one soon. Beef up your CUC and hang in there. It looks like your nitrites are high and your Alk and PH are a little low. I think your tank might still be cycling with high nitrites.

 

[Mike_J]

Here are a few thoughts to consider:
I do think your tank may still be somewhat in the process of cycling to an extent.
I do believe overfeeding is a big part of your problem.
A skimmer will certainly help out big time with filtration of organic waste.
I would increase water changes to at least weekly until things stabilize for you.
You should raise PH, Alk and temperature since all seem to be low.
Seachum's Prime might be of use to help reduce nitrates and nitrites immediately and temporarily.
Add livestock including CUC slowly, very slowly. Your tank is still very new.

 

[Scurvy]

I have a tank that's about 2 or 3 months ahead of yours. Even though you think you may be through your cycle it can be a couple more months before things start to really settle in. Fighting algae in the early going is normal.
Beefing up your CUC and doing a weekly 5-10% WC will help. I'd get some Turbo and Astrea snails in there ASAP.

 

[twilliard]

take 1 bottle of 3% peroxide pour that into 4 gallons of water in a 5 gallon bucket and soak that rock for 10 minutes.. problem solved
If it fits

 

[Gdk414]

Thanks everyone. I should have mention that the pH numbers were from a test strip, but I went and got a red Sea test kit, and pH looks to be just right, around 8.3. I also just got a cuc and within a couple hours they are mowing down that stuff quite well. Gonna test the alk right now as it's been 2 days since..not sure if u all can tell but that pukani is huge. And there was a lot of dead stuff in it when I got it.

 

[Gdk414]

Alk is 8.5dkh right now

 

[Gdk414]

Here are a few thoughts to consider:
I do think your tank may still be somewhat in the process of cycling to an extent.
I do believe overfeeding is a big part of your problem.
A skimmer will certainly help out big time with filtration of organic waste.
I would increase water changes to at least weekly until things stabilize for you.
You should raise PH, Alk and temperature since all seem to be low.
Seachum's Prime might be of use to help reduce nitrates and nitrites immediately and temporarily.
Add livestock including CUC slowly, very slowly. Your tank is still very new.

Thank you. Good info. I keep the tank temp a little lower for the seahorse

 

[Gdk414]

Yay turbo snails. Not even 24hrs and it's prob 1/4 gone. Im surprised These guys eat a lot!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

yup. It was the lack of snails.
dont chase ph. check once in a while. the strip is actually a bit more convenient to use really. Its a litmus test. it works.
cal and alk wont move much with few corals. esp stony ones.
Dont let the canister go too long without cleaning. If your overfeeding a bit for the pony its not really a bad idea to have a MACHO mechanical filter like a can to do the clean up. Just make sure to clean the food out of it.

you can help the snails a bit by knocking down the hair alge. the canister should suck up most of it and you can get it out from there. I use mine just like that on deep clean days.

 

[Scurvy]

Yay turbo snails. Not even 24hrs and it's prob 1/4 gone. Im surprised These guys eat a lot!

Turbo's rock! You don't need many to mow through that stuff. I was going to ask if you cured that pukani before cycling? If not that could be contributing to your algae. As Salty suggests above you can always help out the turbos and pull some of the hair algae yourself.

 

[Gdk414]

No I cured in tank and dosed ammonia for about a month or little more

 

[Scurvy]

Just saw your post in the for sale forum and realized your in MA. Me too, I'm maybe 10 minutes from Gillette stadium. Do you know of any active clubs in our area? The one I found doesn't seem to have many if any recent activity. Would love some local frag swapping etc.

 

[sureal00]

Was this dry rock in the beginning.When curing did you check phosphates.

 

[Gdk414]

Just saw your post in the for sale forum and realized your in MA. Me too, I'm maybe 10 minutes from Gillette stadium. Do you know of any active clubs in our area? The one I found doesn't seem to have many if any recent activity. Would love some local frag swapping etc.

No but I know some guys around the area that propagate and have some amazing setups

 

[Gdk414]

Was this dry rock in the beginning.When curing did you check phosphates.

No phosphate test. I was under the impression that they cannot be tested with hobby grade test kits?
Yes the rock was dry pukani from brs

 

[Scurvy]

No but I know some guys around the area that propagate and have some amazing setups

Cool, I'm still a relative Noob and as it stands don't know any other Reefers personally. If you/they are up for selling locally please keep me in mind!