The Ugly Algae Has Hit

[Sjhoppes]

Hi All,

From what I’ve been reading new tanks always go through an algae stage. Tank started on October 27th with cured live rock. Parameters are in the pictures below along with tank pictures (sorry cell phone quality. There’s 6 hermits and a snail in there along with 2 clowns. Always top off currently with distilled water until I can purchase rodi maker. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[wesman42]

It looks like you'll be in for a colorful ride!! Most tanks certainly go through an "uglies" stage. Usually involving diatoms, cyano, hair algae or a mixture of everything. The intensity, as well as how bad the actual outbreak is, usually depends on differing factors like fluctuating nutrient levels, flow in the tank, and your overall CUC. Update us along the way!

 

[Sjhoppes]

It looks like you'll be in for a colorful ride!! Most tanks certainly go through an "uglies" stage. Usually involving diatoms, cyano, hair algae or a mixture of everything. The intensity, as well as how bad the actual outbreak is, usually depends on differing factors like fluctuating nutrient levels, flow in the tank, and your overall CUC. Update us along the way!

I have two smaller cheap powerheads off eBay until I can save up some money. I will probably try to get more cleanup crew this week. Just wasn’t sure if I should be doing anything else.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

new tanks and old tanks will go through changes. not to worry at this point.

 

[Sjhoppes]

new tanks and old tanks will go through changes. not to worry at this point.

Thanks for the comments. I’m thinking maybe I will get a couple fighting conchs this week. I just put the clowns in this weekend so I probably have to wait on a Goby if I did that. Sand is the worst part when it’s dirty.

 

[Sjhoppes]

@mta_morrow here is the thread.

 

[lapin]

Where is the problem algae? Looks normal to me. Not much for a cuc to eat yet. Hermits will eat snails. I would replace hermits with snails if you want cleaner looking rock.

 

[Sjhoppes]

Where is the problem algae? Looks normal to me. Not much for a cuc to eat yet. Hermits will eat snails. I would replace hermits with snails if you want cleaner looking rock.

I tried to get some better pictures. Also here’s the parameters from tonight. It might not be too much or a problem but it sprung up pretty quickly. I think it could just be normal stuff for a new tank.

 

[lapin]

Looks good. Your basic building blocks are starting to grow. Green, brown and red. Its alive and starting to blossom.

 

[Juniorh2r]

I tried to get some better pictures. Also here’s the parameters from tonight. It might not be too much or a problem but it sprung up pretty quickly. I think it could just be normal stuff for a new tank.

Good luck keep posting your progress I started on October 19 myself hoping to add to clowns tomorrow.

 

[cracker]

Hello SJ, I'd hold off on the conchs for a while. Probably not enough to eat yet . The algae isn't bad at all !

 

[Sjhoppes]

Will do then! That’s why I posted. Just didn’t want to neglect anything. Looking at probably doing a water change this weekend.

 

[jabberwock]

You ain't seen nothing yet. At one point I had no less than 5 different distinctive algae types going nuts in my tank.

 

[eamike261]

Add a chaeto grow area if you are able. It will wonders for you to soak up the excess nitrates and phosphates instead of growing nuisance algae in the display.

 

[P-Dub]

Ah, the ugly tank portion of the process. GIVE THINGS TIME! Patience and consistency then throw in a little more patience. I did the cycle for almost 4 months in tubs to let things run the course before I put in the DT. Did I say be patience?

 

[Sjhoppes]

Add a chaeto grow area if you are able. It will wonders for you to soak up the excess nitrates and phosphates instead of growing nuisance algae in the display.

Wish I had room. It’s tight under the display as is. Barely fits a 20 long down there.

 

[TheWalkman99]

Looks good. Your basic building blocks are starting to grow. Green, brown and red. Its alive and starting to blossom.

Going through some uglies also. What is the green alage you mentioned called? That seems to be the most prolific in my tank.

 

[lapin]

Going through some uglies also. What is the green alage you mentioned called? That seems to be the most prolific in my tank.

Green algae is like grass. It can be many different types. When it first sprouts it pretty much looks the same. Until it grows some distinguishing traits it has to be id with a microscope.

 

[TheWalkman99]

Green algae is like grass. It can be many different types. When it first sprouts it pretty much looks the same. Until it grows some distinguishing traits it has to be id with a microscope.

Hhm mine isn’t grass looking. It’s almost like dust.

 

[lapin]

Dust looking types can be cyano's, diatoms, or biofilms. With my GHA and bryopsis. It starts out as a brightt green film.