Algae bloom already?

[ShelbyLRay]

I just set up my 47 gallon rimless cube tank a week and one day ago, and last night and today especially, there's been an abundance of yellowish brown algae on the glass and sand and some on the rocks. I have about 40 pounds of base rock and 5 pounds of live rock in the tank and I have 35+ pounds of sand. I've had a light on a day/night timer and no real sunlight has been anywhere near the tank. What is this stuff? And also, does the skimmate always come out smelling absolutely terrible or is that just all the die off going on right now? Thanks in advance!

 

[mcgyvr]

yes.. if you have had the lights on then its entirely possible to already have algae/diatoms,etc..

and yes... skimmate smells.. sometimes quite bad.. other times not so much.. all depends on what its pulling out..

 

[madweazl]

Yea, typically gets ugly in my new tanks between week one and two. And yes, the skimmate could gag a maggot.

 

[ShelbyLRay]

Thanks, y'all! Does time get rid of that?

 

[mcgyvr]

Thanks, y'all! Does time get rid of that?

Get rid of the algae? yes it will come and go assuming you keep nitrates/phosphates low..
You can start doing water changes too now..

Or get rid of the smell of skimmate? nope.. if its pulling out crap... crap stinks.
sometimes is mostly algae (green skimmate) and it doesn't smell as bad but "all crap stinks.. no matter how pretty you think you are "

 

[tzylak]

Algae grows on nutrients in the water. Skimmer pulls out the proteins. -You are well on the way thru the cycle. Right on schedule.
Scrape off the glass before a WC to remove (some of) the growth. Better yet, siphon off the growth while scraping it off for a more thorough growth (excess nutrient) removal.
Wait several more weeks before adding CUC and ONE fish.

 

[ShelbyLRay]

Algae grows on nutrients in the water. Skimmer pulls out the proteins. -You are well on the way thru the cycle. Right on schedule.
Scrape off the glass before a WC to remove (some of) the growth. Better yet, siphon off the growth while scraping it off for a more thorough growth (excess nutrient) removal.
Wait several more weeks before adding CUC and ONE fish.

Okay, thanks! I also have a problem with the surface of my water getting a film over it, even with my wave maker pointing straight at the surface, it just pushes the film over and creates bubbles on the side. The film has brown dots floating in it and I tried scooping it out with a net, but it's impossible. And I've already done a 25% water change and I'm going to do another on Saturday. How do you suggest I get rid of this filmy stuff?

 

[tzylak]

To get rid of the film?? -Use RODI, not tap. Do weekly 5% WC. Be patient. It will go away as the tank matures.

 

[mcgyvr]

The "film" is proteins.. They will tend to float on the surface of the water..
One of the benefits of an overflow is that it will "suck" that right down into the sump..
Without an overflow there really isn't much you can do about it other than point the powerhead at the surface to try to knock it down and back into the water..

If you have a canister filter you can try one of these.. Not sure how well it really works though..

I'm actually going to make an acrylic overflow box for my sumpless setup and just have my canister filter draw water from that..