New Tank Algae Growth

Tyler Conrad · Apr 27, 2019

Hi all!
I started my first tank about a month ago and I’m loving it! So far things seem to be going well, but I’m wondering if the recent rate of algae growth I am seeing is normal. The last couple of weeks I’ve noticed algae growing pretty quickly on the glass and the sand bed (Caribsea Pink Fiji). I started the tank with dry rock and added one small live rock from my LFS a couple weeks ago. I’m excited to see the coralline algae is spreading to the main dry rock, but the algae growing on the glass and sand bed is not pretty, haha! I’m seeing mostly bright green algae with some purple mixed in. My water parameters look good and seem pretty stable. It did take a bit for nitrates to zero out. I have a Fluval EVO 13.5 gallon tank. The LED lights are on for 10 hours per day, on the low (blue) setting for 2 of those hours. I added Bio-Spira to the tank at startup. I have 2 clownfish and a cleanup crew consisting of a peppermint shrimp, small Cortez hermit crab, and a turbo snail. I feed once per day - flakes for the clowns and a shrimp pellet every other day. Is this type of algae growth normal at startup? I’m hoping that it slows down a bit. I don’t have an RO/DI system yet, so I started with Instant Ocean and distilled water. I found some pre-mixed ocean water at Petco that I’ve been using for weekly water changes. I’ve been topping off with distilled once a week and changing out 10% of the water each week also. Does this algae growth sound / look normal? Any tips on keeping the glass / sand bed clean?

Mjrenz · Apr 27, 2019

That is normal, just get a magnetic scraper for the glass because you'll always need to clean it, for the sand vacuuming it is probably your best bet for now. You'll likely want to get some more hermits and snails to help too. Consider feeding frozen food instead of flakes, the flakes don't provide your fish with the nutrients they need and they'll increase your phosphates fueling more algae growth. Definitely look into getting a rodi unit soon as well

Jekyl · Apr 27, 2019

Add some snails. Maybe 1 trochus and 2 astrea? I also just added a long spine urchin to my tank today and its eating the algae like crazy already. Not sure if they are recommended for a tank that size though

Mjrenz · Apr 27, 2019

Jekyl said:
Add some snails. Maybe 1 trochus and 2 astrea? I also just added a long spine urchin to my tank today and its eating the algae like crazy already. Not sure if they are recommended for a tank that size though

I think his tank is probably too new for an urchin but he could probably get a small one down the road when it'll have enough to eat. I've had the best luck with urchins for gha in my tank

Mjrenz · Apr 27, 2019

This might help you out a little too

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...atic-algae-and-the-means-to-control-it.87351/

Tyler Conrad · Apr 27, 2019

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, definitely limited with a small tank. I wanted to test the hobby out a bit before jumping in with a bigger tank. I’m definitely thinking I will expand in the future though...this is too much fun, haha!

Tyler Conrad · Apr 27, 2019

Thanks for the tips! Yeah, definitely limited with a small tank. I wanted to test the hobby out a bit before jumping in with a bigger tank. I’m definitely thinking I will expand in the future though...this is too much fun, haha!

Jekyl · Apr 27, 2019

Tyler Conrad said:
Thanks for the tips! Yeah, definitely limited with a small tank. I wanted to test the hobby out a bit before jumping in with a bigger tank. I’m definitely thinking I will expand in the future though...this is too much fun, haha!

Trochus has been my best snail so far. Like a bulldozer. Astrea fit into smaller spots though. Keep the algae short and they will help clean it up

Jekyl · Apr 27, 2019

Mjrenz said:
Consider feeding frozen food instead of flakes, the flakes don't provide your fish with the nutrients they need and they'll increase your phosphates fueling more algae growth.

+1 frozen is the way to go. Like prime cut vs McDonalds. I use Rods and I hear LRS is very good too.

Mjrenz · Apr 27, 2019

Tyler Conrad said:
Thanks for the tips! Yeah, definitely limited with a small tank. I wanted to test the hobby out a bit before jumping in with a bigger tank. I’m definitely thinking I will expand in the future though...this is too much fun, haha!

It's very addicting

Tyler Conrad · Apr 27, 2019

Haha! Yes it is!!

lapin · Apr 27, 2019

Howdy
New tank. Your rock will not remain white. Take pictures so you can remember those days. I would not do anything until those seeds of green sprout some growth.

Tyler Conrad · Apr 27, 2019

lapin said:
Howdy
New tank. Your rock will not remain white. Take pictures so you can remember those days. I would not do anything until those seeds of green sprout some growth.

Yeah, I'm excited about the growth on the rock...the quick algae growth on the glass and sand bed is what bugs me, haha! I've got a magnet cleaner on the way, so hopefully that will be easier for keeping the glass clean!