Water Parameters...looking for expert insight

[lkriley]

Hi there,

I am four months into my 32 bio cube. I would like to post my water parameters and see your thoughts/suggestions. Everything seems to be quite happy in my tank, I just cannot get rid of the brown algae, which has been for just under three months. Literally three days to make my glass look like I am looking through the fog, and one day to brown the sand gravel. About three weeks ago I switched to the Steves LED for my biocube. I am at the suggested starting lighting and I would like to increase a level, but am worried because of the algae. I have been fighting it for about three months now. I am using MicroBacterClean by Brightwell for about two months now. I get my water from the LFS religiously (RO/DI). I do weekly water changes, 5 gal at a time. The LFS tanks do not have the algae, so I know it has to do with my tank. Your input is truly appreciated.

Salifert
Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, PH 8.2

API
Nitrate - 10, Phosphate - .10, Calcium - 640, KH 250,

Red Sea
Magnesium - 1400, Alk - 10.9, Calcium - 700

Lastly, Salinity is at 1.026, and temperature varies between 77 and 78.5

I know some of the levels are high, I just can't seem to get them lower. They all seem to be okay to be high from the research I have done online. I just don't know!! Help experts.

 

[Euphyllia97]

Parameters look acceptable to me. Make sure not to drop your nitrates too low if you maintain 10,9Dkh. Otherwise you might burn the tips of sps corals.

Magnesium makes sure calcium can be used by your tank. As Alkalinity is consumed, calcium will elevate. These two are inversely proportional. What is the cacium level in your saltwater for water changes?

I don’t think elevated calcium will do any harm to your animals or corals. However it is not ideal for your equipment as the calcium will precipitate.

I think the algae is just because your tank is still quite new. Looks like diatoms to me and are caused by elevated silicates (New sand contains a lot). I would just remove the algae by scraping just before a water change. They will reduce with time. Phosphates at 0,1 wil help algae growth too.

I see no problem in turning the light a bit higher. You can still reduce the lights if the algae is still increasing after a few days!

 

[ScottR]

Your parameters as stated aren’t the cause of algae (and I saw none like you described in the pics). But in a new tank, organisms are fighting to be king. As you introduce more and more microorganisms to your tank - and as more grow - you’ll hopefully see a reduction. It’s part of the aging process of a new tank.

 

[lkriley]

Parameters look acceptable to me. Make sure not to drop your nitrates too low if you maintain 10,9Dkh. Otherwise you might burn the tips of sps corals.

Magnesium makes sure calcium can be used by your tank. As Alkalinity is consumed, calcium will elevate. These two are inversely proportional. What is the cacium level in your saltwater for water changes?

I don’t think elevated calcium will do any harm to your animals or corals. However it is not ideal for your equipment as the calcium will precipitate.

I think the algae is just because your tank is still quite new. Looks like diatoms to me and are caused by elevated silicates (New sand contains a lot). I would just remove the algae by scraping just before a water change. They will reduce with time. Phosphates at 0,1 wil help algae growth too.

I see no problem in turning the light a bit higher. You can still reduce the lights if the algae is still increasing after a few days!

That is a great question Scott. I have never tested the water from my LFS!! Never even thought about it. I will test it now. The calcium is at 400.

 

[lkriley]

That is a great question Scott. I have never tested the water from my LFS!! Never even thought about it. I will test it now. The calcium is at 400.

OOoops....Sorry, not Scott, Euphylia97