Algae or bacteria problem

[pisanoal]

I have a similar bloom as OP. Started at the 2 month mark after diatoms disappeared.

Also started with dry pukani and sand, the former was soaked in LC for a month so its not a phosphate issue. Seeded with one bottle of Seachem stability bacteria.

Seems this type of bacteria bloom happens more nowadays based on forum observation. Its reducing as im scrubbing the pukani and changing filter socks.. i even pulled the GFO offline the last.2 weeks in case its related to a nitrate phosphate imbalance?

I agree. I also dont think I've seen a tank started with good live rock with an odd bacterial bloom. I think the common theme is more people are starting with dry rock and bottled bacteria. Thats why I made my suggestion of adding as many different types as possible/ and or seeding with good lr

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[makers marc]

I agree. I also dont think I've seen a tank started with good live rock with an odd bacterial bloom. I think the common theme is more people are starting with dry rock and bottled bacteria. Thats why I made my suggestion of adding as many different types as possible/ and or seeding with good lr

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What specific bacteria should ppl look at adding? With all the brands/strains out there, im inclined to try and wait this out for a month or so first for fear of adding fuel to the fire.

Ive heard ppl in past yrs suggest adding microbacter 7, but its prob all anecdotal.

 

[pisanoal]

What specific bacteria should ppl look at adding? With all the brands/strains out there, im inclined to try and wait this out for a month or so first for fear of adding fuel to the fire.

Ive heard ppl in past yrs suggest adding microbacter 7, but its prob all anecdotal.

I started with dr tims for my cycle. Then I added seachem stability, and prodibio biodigest. I think a few others. I also added pods, and a live sand starter "kit" from indopacific seafarms. I skimmed wet, changed filter socks daily, and added a UV sterilizer. I came out of it in about a week which is much faster then most from what ive read. It hasnt come back which I've also seen as a trend.

I tried to add as many different bacterial cultures as I could. I wouldn't recommend one specific brand as a fix, I recommend several sources of biodiversity.

I'm by no means an expert, this my personal experience mixed with my research on forum threads with people experiencing this issue and other issues with a dry base start.

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[jonnyu]

Yes you will get strange bacteria booms with the bottle bacteria but I have setup 4 tanks with dry rock and found it normally cycles threw all the ugly phase quickly maybe 4 weeks. Now for different bacteria I purchased a microscope and started testing a few products out. Only thing I found that has live bacteria was turbo start. All other non refrigerated bacteria I have tried says bacteria is in dormant stage when fed they will reproduce. I used dishes and made 3.0ppm ammonia saltwater and let them feed but I didn't see any true population growth. Most product only had about 10% of bacteria movement. Seems like 90% of the bacteria never comes back to life. When I did the same thing with turbo start you can see the population growing every 24 hours


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