New tank algae outbreaks inevitable??

MattL22 · Nov 21, 2013

I set up a 225 gal 3 months ago I've been in hobby for 4 yrs this is first lg tank!
Anyway I'm using phos guard /phos lock and carbon running a sro5000 int
Using rodi with DI resin
Changing 30 gal every 2 weeks with instant ocean
I'm having a bad cyano issue on my sand bed and the live rocks that where newly cycled getting patches of hair alage)
I just don't have the time to suck it out every day and I don't wanna start taking out rocks to scrub!
R these outbreaks the norm for a new tank going through the fist yr??
At the monument I'm thinking just keep doing what I'm doing and let the tank settel in don't go to crazy trying to eliminate it??

Thoughts??

MattL22 · Nov 21, 2013

I have been using alot of phos lock and phos guard

TarHeelReefer22 · Nov 21, 2013

This is normal for a tank to be undergoing all these changes usually you see diatoms first then the cyano and hair algae. have you added your CUC yet? Also, were you starting with live rock or dry rock b/c the problems that you are having will be more extreme with dry rock as it cures and becomes "alive".

Reefing Madness · Nov 21, 2013

Whats your flow in that 225g tank??

MattL22 · Nov 22, 2013

Flow is 2 mp40 and I have 4 1" returns but alternate keeping 2 open at a time with a external pump
Seems like most spots the tank getting pretty good flow!
60% of the rock was from my previous tanks and most those rocks look clean
The rest of the rock came from another reefers breakdown and those rocks have 80% of the hair algae they appear pretty new so not sure how long they where set up! I was adding fritz live bacteria until I got the cyano then I thought it might be causing the cyano!
This is what makes me think its just gonna take time for the po4 to cycle outta that new rock and as soon as I get an extra long gravel cleaner ill suck all the cyano up off sand it does spear to be subsiding a bit since I added a bag of phos lock!

Reefing Madness · Nov 22, 2013

Sounds like you got a good plan. And I'm thinking you may be right.

TarHeelReefer22 · Nov 22, 2013

I agree give it time I have seen a tank still uncycled at six months b/c the owner was so much in a hurry to add livestock and his tank has always been out of wack! Question though why are you alternating the returns and not just letting all four go? IME more the flow the better! I am currently using a brightwell product microen7 I think is the name which I add as recommended with my weekly water changes and then I dose Thrives Bio stimulate liquid and my parameters are always great nitrates stay flat lined at 0 and po4 always >.02 but this is what they call a low nutrient tank basically means that you control what your tank it is feeding on.

MattL22 · Nov 23, 2013

I'm only using 2 because when all 4 r open I don't get enough pressure with 2 I get nice pressure

jandlms · Nov 23, 2013

I have stet up 5 or 6 systems during the 20 years I have been in the hobby. About half of those systems went thru a typical "cycling" and the other half either had no cycle or the cycle was so minimal that it was basically unnoticeable. If you use cured rock a decent amount of "used" salt water and good filtration techniques you can minimize the cycle. It also helps to not go crazy stocking the tank I the first month of operation.

MattL22 · Nov 25, 2013

Thanks guys using alot of Gfo and still having issues gonna just try let the tank settle in a bit

TarHeelReefer22 · Nov 25, 2013

MattL22 said:
Thanks guys using alot of Gfo and still having issues gonna just try let the tank settle in a bit

Probably your best bet! Also, have you considered getting a larger return pump so you can utilize all four of your returns? The more flow the better! Plus if you did this you would be turning over your water volume more often!