On Going Algae Problem

kiwis · Jul 27, 2018

Hi Everyone,
Hoping to get some advice on this issue. Firstly of all, I've posted a number of topics on this and got similar feedback on all, however, I just have a gut feeling this isn't right.

I've got a new tank which I'm cycling. I'm in no immediate hurry to put fish in.

I'm about 3-4 weeks in and over the last two I've had a large brown algae bloom.

It's so bad that I'm not almost unable to see in the glass now.

Surely this can't be right, can it?

I truly believe the issue has gone past tipping point and feel there are other issues there like low flow etc.

DEWreefing · Jul 27, 2018

It's called a diatoms bloom yes it's right it will cover everything. It's caused by silicates strong flow and some purigen and a clean up crew will help fight is off.

kiwis · Jul 27, 2018

It is wrong to clean the glass in the mean time?
Do a small water change as well?

I've just done some tests, ammonia is down to zero (or very close to) Nitrite and Nitrate are still high 5 and 10ppm respectively?

DEWreefing · Jul 27, 2018

It will leach from you new sand and rocks it normal clean it off use a power head to blow it off the rocks. Diatoms will eventually eat all the silicates in the water unless your using tap water which contains silicates

DEWreefing · Jul 27, 2018

Your tank will still be cycling through this process maybe a week more wait to change water when only nitrates are shown.and nitrites are gone.

kiwis · Jul 27, 2018

So give it a week, once nitrites are down, do a water change add some purigen and we should see an improvement?

DEWreefing · Jul 27, 2018

And get a turkey baster to blow off the rocks and stir up the Sand on top.

kiwis · Jul 27, 2018

okay, it's got until next friday!

DEWreefing · Jul 27, 2018

Patients is the key to this hobby. I waited a month in a half to put anything in my tank ant it's doing great. Tomorrow it will be 5 months old.

GoPitt88 · Jul 27, 2018

kiwis said:
okay, it's got until next friday!

Patience! It will be OK [emoji16] This is just part of the cycle.....trust us [emoji106]

kiwis · Jul 29, 2018

I'm trying

OKay, so did another test today. API test kits are hard to get exact readings from however the Nitrite reading is lower than last Friday.

Provided this continues to drop this week, would be safe to complete a water change and scrub (dust off) some of this algae and almost be ready to add a single fish?

DEWreefing · Jul 29, 2018

Let's see pictures of the tank.

kiwis · Jul 30, 2018

As you can see it's a real mess

DEWreefing · Jul 30, 2018

Clean the glass the more diatoms you can remove new ones will come and suck up the silicates. Are you using ro/di and get a power head wave maker you need flow to keep them suspended to remove with filtration.

EBay has some cheap ones you can start with if your in Cali you can borrow some from me.

kiwis · Jul 30, 2018

Yip using RO/DI water.

I've given it a quick clean, will do another clean tomorrow of the glass.

No, I don't have a powerhead but intend to get one.

40B Knasty · Jul 30, 2018

That's good your nitrites are going down from last Friday That means it is almost done cycling. When it is done. Do a good water change after ammonia and nitrites are at zero. The water change will bring down your nitrates. Give it a few more days. Do another one and keep doing them until your nitrates are around 5ppm.
A clean up crew that helps for diatoms and for the long run is a fight conch. From them dragging their good size shell across the sand. It helps losen up the diatoms to flow up into your filtration/sponge and protein skimmer. Diatoms will go away in about a month. Keep going with your plan of attack on your tank. There is plenty more "ugly phases" to go through.
If you are looking for a good test kit. I recommend having the ELOS Nitrate, Pro Phosphate, and Alk kits. You really won't need the Ammonia or Nitrites kit after the tank finishes cycling. Unless there is a worry for die off. Good luck with your tank!
I don't see any powerheads on your tank. Definitely need to invest in 1 or 2 of those. Jebao "OW-4" is the new one. The SW-4 is their last series. PP-4 and WR-4 are the old series. It's a nice cheap wave maker. That will help kick the diatoms up.

DEWreefing · Jul 30, 2018

dimidragos · Jul 30, 2018

40B Knasty said:
That's good your nitrites are going down from last Friday That means it is almost done cycling. When it is done. Do a good water change after ammonia and nitrites are at zero. The water change will bring down your nitrates. Give it a few more days. Do another one and keep doing them until your nitrates are around 5ppm.
A clean up crew that helps for diatoms and for the long run is a fight conch. From them dragging their good size shell across the sand. It helps losen up the diatoms to flow up into your filtration/sponge and protein skimmer. Diatoms will go away in about a month. Keep going with your plan of attack on your tank. There is plenty more "ugly phases" to go through.
If you are looking for a good test kit. I recommend having the ELOS Nitrate, Pro Phosphate, and Alk kits. You really won't need the Ammonia or Nitrites kit after the tank finishes cycling. Unless there is a worry for die off. Good luck with your tank!
I don't see any powerheads on your tank. Definitely need to invest in 1 or 2 of those. Jebao "OW-4" is the new one. The SW-4 is their last series. PP-4 and WR-4 are the old series. It's a nice cheap wave maker. That will help kick the diatoms up.

Hello, i just ask, NoPoX its not good to be used to solve the nitrate problem?? I'm in same situation, not that bad, new cycled tank with nitrate 30ppm and some diatoms start to grow on sand....

40B Knasty · Jul 30, 2018

dimidragos said:
Hello, i just ask, NoPoX its not good to be used to solve the nitrate problem?? I'm in same situation, not that bad, new cycled tank with nitrate 30ppm and some diatoms start to grow on sand....

I never used NoPox before. Just do water changes and have a good nutrients export with your biomedia like Marine Pure and it will keep your nitrates down. You don't need to find an instant gratification for nitrates reduction.
What kind of biological media do you have?

dimidragos · Jul 30, 2018

40B Knasty said:
I never used NoPox before. Just do water changes and have a good nutrients export with your biomedia like Marine Pure and it will keep your nitrates down. You don't need to find an instant gratification for nitrates reduction.
What kind of biological media do you have?

2 liter matrix, 2 liter Aquaforest biofil and half XPort Bio Brick....