Sunlight and algae

Darth_Kirk · Dec 16, 2015

We recently moved to a new home, I have an all new 450 gallon mixed reef, and 465 FOWLR (all established rock and fish in there). We have not gotten window treatments on the windows yet. The room is facing South, and the sun is moving further and further South, thus getting more and more light in the room. I expected some algae on the glass from this, but there is now tons of algae that doesn't really look like hair algae growing on all the new rock in the Reef tank. My nitrate and phosphate are as close to 0 as they can be in this tank. I have strong lighting, but I don't feel I'm running it more than normal. Could this algae be caused by the sunlight? New tank stuff?

BTW the rock is the fake stuff that looks real, I think called Real Reef Rock. Rock has been in since early Sept., first animals introduced mid Oct.

Black out shades should be up by Christmas.

ReefBuzz · Dec 16, 2015

Got a pic to share?

Darth_Kirk · Dec 16, 2015

ReefBuzz said:
Got a pic to share?

Just moonlights on now, I'll snap one when the lights come on this afternoon.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 16, 2015

New tank stuff mostly. Bit of PO leaching and locked in the rock n algae. You might consider Window film too.
Seems the real reef rock is loaded with food source from a bit o research and another thread about cycling.
Load up the fuge!

And 2 400+ tanks?? can I come hang out?

kendavjac · Dec 16, 2015

I live in Florida and I keep 2 tanks in my Kitchen/breakfast area. I have Bay windows (no window treatments) across the back of the house and all the windows face south. I have never had a problem with algae because of the windows. When I do start to get algae, it is because of poor up keep of my tank. If you keep the nutrients in check you won't have a problem. A neighbor had a huge algae problem and was convinced it was because of a window. When he finally let me check his water, nitrates and phosphates off the chart. Once he got those in line, algae problem went away.

Darth_Kirk · Dec 16, 2015

Thanks for the responses. As stated I'm as close to zero phosphate and nitrate as my test kit can show. I will credit it to new tank stuff. The FOWLR isn't near as bad, and has noticeable phosphate and very high nitrate. Hopefully it will settle in before too long.

HiddenUser · Dec 16, 2015

I've always wondered about this...We in a sense try to emulate sunlight with our reef tank lighting...yet tell everyone that if their tanks are exposed to real sunlight they'll have algae problems...

Seems like if you just stay on top of maintenance and keep your parameters in check that you shouldn't run into any sort of algae issues.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 16, 2015

ChukeeR said:
I've always wondered about this...We in a sense try to emulate sunlight with our reef tank lighting...yet tell everyone that if their tanks are exposed to real sunlight they'll have algae problems...

Seems like if you just stay on top of maintenance and keep your parameters in check that you shouldn't run into any sort of algae issues.

Your correct actually. Maint & params. But Algae like Yellow red and orange and the UV UR mostly and we give it ample food.
. Once the weird "real" reef rock thing (second one this week ive seen) It'll be cool to see what happens. I bet its fine. Might be better than fine. Hes getting spectrum we cant make.
I recently came across an old thread elsewhere with a guys reef pond(YEP) on the Mediterranean coast. On his deck. In the open. Only a canopy.