Started GFO and am experiencing increase algae

[Christopher Poore]

So I started using a small amount of GFO in a reactor about a week ago and I've noticed an increased amount of algae on my glass and sand bed.

Possibly unrelated but at the same time I started the GFO I reduced the amount of Amino Acids from being dosed @ 3ML/Day to 1ML/Day as I had some red algae in the sump.

Any ideas why this could be? Maybe I didn't use enough. I started with 1/2 cup. Recommended is 1 Cup for 65 Gal tank (mine is 79 before displacement)

 

[MaiReef]

following...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

GFO can release iron. It could be the tank was iron-limited (growth of phytoplankton in the ocean is iron-limited), or maybe the change in amino acids reduced the growth of something that was competing with the algae.