Water Change = Algae Bloom
- Thread starter Cscultho
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Yea, first thought would be bad water. Second dirty mixing buckets.
Nitrates is around 5ppm. Dont have a phosphate test yet.
I use RODI water. I've only processed about 75 gallons with this new RODI system.
How do you wash the mixing buckets? I use a 40 gallon rubbermaid to mix and 5 gallon home depot bucket to transport it to the tank.
I use RODI water. I've only processed about 75 gallons with this new RODI system.
How do you wash the mixing buckets? I use a 40 gallon rubbermaid to mix and 5 gallon home depot bucket to transport it to the tank.
from time to time, I use a light bleach water mix in a spray bottle and use a hose to rinse, then set out in the sun to dry.
Are you using a handheld TDS meter? on the rodi. Really weird for a new rodi to be off.
really weird problem.
I need to hook up my TDS meter. Still sitting in a box.
can i clean the buckets with a mixture of water and white vinegar?
Also i have been feeding flake food more often for the goby. should i stick to frozen mysis instead?
yes, but the theory is your trying to kill possible organics and bacterias that may have developed. In a high concentration the acid in the vinegar may kill and dissolve both, but it could also feed them as its a carbon source.
Everything I have ever read on No3 and Po4 in food says dry and wet are pretty much equal. The sudden "bloom" there for suggests the water is in question. Does this happen every time or is this the first time its happened? Just to rule out coincidence.
And yea, working with bleach freaks me out too.
You can feel around in the buckets an if its a tiny bit slimy it bacteria add such
First time this type of algae bloom has happened but this is also the first time ive done a large water change, 20%, like this. My tank is 1.5 months old and after the cycle was complete i did a couple small water changes.....~5-10% on 2 other occasions without an algae bloom like this.
Wait, your tank is only 6 weeks old? Algea bloom doesn't always occur, but is normal in new tank. Turn off your light for a few days if you don't have coral. If you have corals, turn off the white band and shorten the light period. You need to test for phosphate.
Well Id say not to jump to any immediate conclusions. Get the TDS hooked up. And ^^^+1. its a new tank.
The biofilter may just be ramping up, so I like a bit of bottled bacteria to bolster it. Once its time for the next WC see what happens.
Hopefully its coincidence.
The biofilter may just be ramping up, so I like a bit of bottled bacteria to bolster it. Once its time for the next WC see what happens.
Hopefully its coincidence.
Ahh, ya don't need luck, Just patience.
any dr tims, mb7 , probidio, stability and prime. I avoid nite out.
Reef2zach
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Did you dump the first 5 gallons you made down the drain? I think new rodi systems have some silicates in them that your suppose to flush first. Otherwise it just sounds like the end of a cycle
Mr_Banana_Pants
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What type of salt? Just curious because I was using Fritz, ran out and did a water change with reef crystals I had laying around... 48 hrs later I had hair algea in my 20 long bedroom tank and massive cyano in my 40 frag
Paul B
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The first thing I would do is find a Liquor store and go and buy a nice bottle of Grand Marnier. It is expensive but cheaper than all the water most people change. I am not a big fan of too many water changes and as you found out, sometimes you can get an algae growth by doing that. Most people don't believe that but most people also don't believe in Big Foot. what can I tell you. 
Your tank is new and is "supposed" to have an algae growth so open that bottle of Grand Marnier and relax. Algae is good and is removing all the toxic things in your tank. It won't remove Grand Marnier so be careful where you place your glass.
Algae is doing what we pay it to do and your water will be better after the algae leaves. Don't add or remove anything.
Your tank is new and is "supposed" to have an algae growth so open that bottle of Grand Marnier and relax. Algae is good and is removing all the toxic things in your tank. It won't remove Grand Marnier so be careful where you place your glass.
Algae is doing what we pay it to do and your water will be better after the algae leaves. Don't add or remove anything.
Boy i was thinking your were gonna go a different direction with your post....LOLThe first thing I would do is find a Liquor store and go and buy a nice bottle of Grand Marnier. It is expensive but cheaper than all the water most people change. I am not a big fan of too many water changes and as you found out, sometimes you can get an algae growth by doing that. Most people don't believe that but most people also don't believe in Big Foot. what can I tell you.
Your tank is new and is "supposed" to have an algae growth so open that bottle of Grand Marnier and relax. Algae is good and is removing all the toxic things in your tank. It won't remove Grand Marnier so be careful where you place your glass.
Algae is doing what we pay it to do and your water will be better after the algae leaves. Don't add or remove anything.
thanks for liquor suggestion....
Give it another day and then do a 20% WC. Check your nitrate and phosphate. Are you feeding your fish? Cut feeding to once a day. Feed only what they can consume without the food sinking to the bottom.
The idea is to starve the algea of nitrate and phosphate. With no light for photosynthesis, no nitrate and phosphate, the algea will be gone. I use microbacter to add bacteria to the tank.
