Is algae due to nitrates?

[Lithy]

I have a 4 week old 110g with powerful 2x 250W MH and 4x 96W actinic on it. When I set it up I used 50 lbs of uncured LH and 70lbs of cured LR + 100 lbs of LS. As expected I saw an ammonia peak followed two days later by a nitrite peak. Both were at zero within a week and remained 0.

My nitrates have been high though in the 15-20ppm range and do not seem to decrease. I am not sure if this is the cause for brown/slimey algae growing everywhere. My grazers work hard but it is still all over the glass and sandy substrate. The most illuminated portion of the sand are brown with it. I have been wiping off the glass but do not wanna mess with the sand. I added some small amount of macroalgae to the refugium (with a light that's on 24h) last week but have seen no change. it is probably not enough macroalgae though and plan to add more. Also I am adding no food to the tank except 1 square inch of nori for the last 3 days.

Please help:
1) Why are my nitrates not coming down? What should I do?
2) Is this what is causing the brown algae? Should I use a buffer system to try and increase calcium and favor purple calcareous algae instead. My calcium now is at about 380 now , KH 12.

Am I just being too impatient?

 

[chaffey]

phosphate and lights could be be caused of algea, however brown algea is very normal during the early stage of cycling the tank. Cut down the light during the cycle process and wait it out, from brown the algea will turn green. Make sure to run your skimmer and strong water circulation.

 

[drummereef]

Re: Is algae due to nitrates?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9781925#post9781925 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lithy
I have a 4 week old 110g ...

Can you describe your filtration method more in detail?

Sounds like you are experiencing a diatom bloom associated with newly cycled tanks. This is totally normal and will go away with proper husbandry, time, and a little help from your cleanup crew. Don't be surprised if you see a green hair algae bloom as well. Again, totally normal and should subside on its own. Continue to use RO/DI water if you aren't already and all will be fine.

Your calcium level is ok, but on the low side. I would bring it up with some Turbo Calcium, then maintain your alkalinity with 2-part, Kalk, etc... Below are some links to get you started. I personally use Randy's diy 2-part. Easy to make and is dirt cheap.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

Please use this calculator when dosing any calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium suppliment.
Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

 

[returnofsid]

A large part of what you're seeing is due to it being a new tank. It's the cycling phase we all hate....lol. I'd reduce your lighting period. You can also siphon some of the algae off of the sand bed. To remove nitrates, you'll need to do more water changes. Check the nitrates of your water supply. Are you using RO/DI water? How large of a refugium are you running? You're correct to assume that a small amount of Macro isn't going to make much of a difference. Your high nitrate level should be causing your macro to grow well though. I didn't read where you mention a skimmer. Are you using a skimmer? If so, make sure you're cleaning out the skim cup on a regular basis.

When I ran into a similar problem, someone suggested I turn out my lights completely for a few days. I didn't have any corals in the tank yet so thought "what the heck, can't hurt." I turned out my lights for 3 days. When I turned the lights back on...ALL algae was gone. My tank was a little older than yours though. I think I was in about my 7th or 8th week and really tired of the algae portion of the normal cycle.

I'd leave your Ca and Alk alone for now. Wait until you get your nitrates under control and then look at getting your Alk and Ca balanced.

 

[Lithy]

Hello guys-
thanks for the tips. here are some answers and a couple of new interesting facts.

I have a powerful skimmer generating lots of skimmate. Also use some mechanical filtration in the baffles to pick up more stuff. Both maintained every other day or so as needed. I have used tap water with conditioner, not RO/DI. Phosphates near zero.

Tested for nitrates in the tank and for the first time it is down to 5 to 10 ppm. Tested water supply (tap) and measured (to my surprise) the same levels of nitrate (5 to 10ppm). This suggests that a) denitrification may beginning to work in my tank b) gotta start using RO/DI for topping off after evaporation.

I bought more macroalgae today (which I will keep lighted in refugium) and will keep my tank light off and tank covered for 3 days. Will update then.