Phytoplankton Bloom?

[vaguelyreeflike]

Please help, Ive never seen this before in the 3ish years this tank has been running in my care. can barely see through it. Testing parameters now but so far 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites, fish and starfish are fine and corals are opening as usual as the light turns on.

Chuck UV sterilizer in there? 50% waterchange? Carbon?

Pics with white and blue light, some of the water in a bucket as well.

 

[BristleWormHater]

If it is a phyto bloom I wouldn't do anything, it'll subside and it won't harm anything.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Either a phytobloom that isn't very dense, a bacteria bloom, or something like tannins tinting the water - a microscope could help you confirm, but either way, water changes, UV, skimmer, very fine filters (like 1 micron filters), etc. are all good ideas.

I wouldn't expect the carbon to do much for phyto or bacteria, but it may help if it's a chemical tinting the water.

For phytobloom examples:

Can you overdose phytoplankton?

I regularly use phytoplankton to feed corals in my 120 gallon mixed reef tank. I realize that my tank is now an oversized phytoplankton reactor. There is a green haze on the glass every 8 hours. Fleece roller is forest green and going quickly. Can you have too much? I usually dose 2-4...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Update for parameters, Phos is below 0.1 but not 0. Nitrates are 0. PH 8.5 (hasnt changed for months). Im so confused as nothing is spiked as expected, but if phyto would make sense as they would possibly deplete the low levels of nutrients I had.

I think I will be leaving it for now as the corals are opening up and will probably enjoy snacking on it. Its definitely not tannins as I have added nothing containing them, and havent added anything new in weeks except for a single tiny piece of birds nest. I dont believe it’s bacterial either as that is almost always accompanied by an ammonia spike of some level, and it’s definitely a green/yellow tint, bacterial blooms are usually more white/off white.

This photo was taken before the lights turned on (the bloom happened over night in the dark which is weird?) so I’m assuming it will become more thick/greenish with the lights. We will see!

Almost dropped on the floor thinking the tank crashed overnight, but upon inspecting everyone was healthy and fine.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Either a phytobloom that isn't very dense, a bacteria bloom, or something like tannins tinting the water - a microscope could help you confirm, but either way, water changes, UV, skimmer, very fine filters (like 1 micron filters), etc. are all good ideas.

I wouldn't expect the carbon to do much for phyto or bacteria, but it may help if it's a chemical tinting the water.

For phytobloom examples:

Can you overdose phytoplankton?

I regularly use phytoplankton to feed corals in my 120 gallon mixed reef tank. I realize that my tank is now an oversized phytoplankton reactor. There is a green haze on the glass every 8 hours. Fleece roller is forest green and going quickly. Can you have too much? I usually dose 2-4...

www.reef2reef.com

Yet another reason I’m kicking myself for not having a microscope lol. I am saving to invest in one, I don’t want the cheapest on the market but also don’t need a fancy high end one. I have had some good recommendations in the past, theres a few that I can directly connect to my phone as well which would be nice.

Thank you for the advice! I think for now I will leave it but being in a store I may have to add a UV to make it look better. Ill give it a few hrs to see if it begins clearing up or gets worse.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Update?

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Update?

Totally forgot to update! Within about 4-5 hours it was crystal clear again. This is 24hr later. I’m just so confused on why it bloomed with no spike in nutrients and during night with all the lights off lol.

The corals definitely had a nice snack while it was bloomed

 

[BristleWormHater]

Totally forgot to update! Within about 4-5 hours it was crystal clear again. This is 24hr later. I’m just so confused on why it bloomed with no spike in nutrients and during night with all the lights off lol.

The corals definitely had a nice snack while it was bloomed