NTS or Potential Problem?

[Newrsreefguy]

Happy Holidays everyone! So, before I left for 3 days I had some reddish/brown algae starting to form on the sand bed and live rock. Started panicking, thinking I had somehow screwed up and was over feeding( even though I only feed a tiny amount). Got on the forums while away and got into the mindset that I was only experiencing New Tank Syndrome and had my first visit from Mr. Diotom. When I returned home today my tank looked like I am harvesting reddish green goo. This is my first Marine tank (have had many FW but always wanted SW) and want to make sure I’m not headed down a wrong path with this bloom. With that being said, my tank is a little over 2 months old. I have the Red Sea Max E-130. Live rock and inhabitants were purchased at LFS (which has extremely clean systems). Lighting schedule is 11 hours per day with a 1 hour ramp up. Will try and get a screen shot of the spectrums but the AI Hydra 26 I set to BRS recommendations instead of the Red Sea recommendation. At this point I don’t have anything extra in the tank other than the Neptune ATK. I plan on adding a powehead within the next few weeks, probably a Vortech MP10.

I currently only have 1 x blue damsel and 1 x yellowtail damsel. 1 x frogspawn and 1 x bubble. I have spot fed the corals only twice with reef roids(less than 1/4 tsp per feeding and have had left over that I threw out) I feed the fish 2mm pellets once a day(about 4 pellets total) and usually have to fish out 1 pellet from the sand bed. With the algae the fish and corals still look happy and if anything the bubble seems more open than when I left?

If anyone has any input of constructive criticism I am all ears. Willing to listen all advice as I am brand new to this aspect of the hobby! Thank you in advance for those that read this long post!

Ps: I am currently using the API saltwater and master reef kit(I know how most feel about this) but will be upgrading to better ones very soon

Parameters:
Temp: 78.4
Ph: 8.2
Ammonia: was 0 when I left, just tested 0.25
N02: 0 ppm
N03: 0 ppm
PO4: showing 5.0 ppm

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Api .25 error. Common.

You’re fine.
Scrub it and grab more snails.

I assume it’s. .05 Po4.

Double check the results

 

[Newrsreefguy]

Api .25 error. Common.

You’re fine.
Scrub it and grab more snails.

I assume it’s. .05 Po4.

Double check the results

On the hunt for some Banded Trochus snails. Any others I should shoot for?

According to the chart. P04 is showing 5.0 ppm. Not sure how accurate it is(again it’s API) but will run it again

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yea, 5.0 would be crazy high.

 

[Newrsreefguy]

Yea, 5.0 would be crazy high.

I forgot to mention in my post that I’m using Red Sea Coral Pro salt and LFS RODI water. Salinity is 1.025.

On the off chance that it is correct, any recommendations on how to get it down?

 

[Newrsreefguy]

Yea, 5.0 would be crazy high.

Ok just retested and tough to say for sure but PO4 looks between 0.25 - 0.50

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Some gfo in a high flow area.

Honestly though. In a new tank , algae happens, even with low numbers.
Asteria , turbos , turbans, and maybe even a fish that likes algae will be key imo.

 

[Newrsreefguy]

Some gfo in a high flow area.

Honestly though. In a new tank , algae happens, even with low numbers.
Asteria , turbos , turbans, and maybe even a fish that likes algae will be key imo.

Thank you! Will be going to LFS tomorrow to pick up some CuC!