hair and brown algae problem- pics

[msuzuki126]

I have had my 37 gallon tank running for about a month. In the last week it has exploded with algae. I bought some snails and they are cleaning but there is just tonsss of algae. Here are some pictures. Any suggestions? Is it just a cycle?

These pics really dont compare to how bad it looks in person.

 

[msuzuki126]

anyone? i'm a noob!

 

[king7]

its normal, normally there will be a spike and cause this algae outbreak. It should go away w/in 3months. A good clean up crew will help as well.

btw, is the tank in direct sunlight?

 

[msuzuki126]

it gets some sunlight in the morning

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

New Tank Syndrome. Normal

 

[msuzuki126]

should i wait for it to go away before getting an anemone or corals?

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

Yes definently, by the way where do you live?

 

[msuzuki126]

wingdale.. familiar?

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

no, is that up state cause i live on long island. HOw far are you from the city

 

[shan820]

Red slime. Diatoms. Normal part of the cycle. There is a product called red slime remover, it works great, I dont have the patience to wait for it to 'disappear'. It can also be easily siphoned out during a water change. Snails help too.

 

[Craig Lambert]

You might want to cut your photo period with the tank being so new. (What's your lighting?). Once A,N,N have all subsided you could add a cleanup crew. Some turbo snails may help with the brown diatoms.

 

[msuzuki126]

an hour north of the city.. i have 3 cerith snails, what else would u recommend?

 

[msuzuki126]

i have like a 40 watt regular flourescent bulbi think its on 15 hours a day.. ammonia=0 nitrate=0 nitrate=0.. also i have a refugium with chaeto

 

[msuzuki126]

whoops nitrite=0

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

15 hours a day is a lot, my photoperiod is only 8 hours a day

 

[Lpsfanatic338]

YOu should also get some nassarius(spelling?) to stir up the sand

 

[msuzuki126]

yea sorry i meant that kind of snail not cerith.. i will shorten my photoperiod then.. thanks alot everyone

 

[Craig Lambert]

Sounds like a normal outbreak for a young tank. A little time and a small cleanup crew should clear things up. I'm afraid that your lighting won't be enough to keep an anenome though. Most need MH lighting, and a couple of them can get by with VHO, if they attach themselves high up on the rocks.

 

[shan820]

Also try one or two turbo snails. They eat everything! For now you can do a water change and hold your siphon right over the sandbed, that red stuff will lift right off.

 

[msuzuki126]

yes i plan on gettin MH