Is this green algae good or bad?
- Thread starter ps2cho
- Start date
I bet that walmart RO water wasn't the greatest then. I tested it each time I went and it was anywhere from 10-25ppm. I thought at the time that would be "OK", but obviously it wasn't. Glad I bought my own RODI unit now.
I am at ~150ppm nitrates right now, but I have only done one water change since the beginning of about 20%. Do you think I should get more changes done?
I am at ~150ppm nitrates right now, but I have only done one water change since the beginning of about 20%. Do you think I should get more changes done?
SushiGirl
Premium Member
You definitely need to do more/frequent water changes to get the nitrate down if your cycle is completed (ammonia & nitrite at zero). If ammonia & nitrite aren't at zero yet, I'd just wait on the water changes.
You're going to go through several unsightly cycles: diatoms, cyanobacteria, probably hair algae. This is common for new tanks & as long as you keep your water parameters under control & as steady as possible, they should go away as the tank settles in & matures. The first 6 months to a year can be quite ugly, that's where patience comes in!
You're going to go through several unsightly cycles: diatoms, cyanobacteria, probably hair algae. This is common for new tanks & as long as you keep your water parameters under control & as steady as possible, they should go away as the tank settles in & matures. The first 6 months to a year can be quite ugly, that's where patience comes in!
Stop adding ammonia and let the tank finish it's cycle. In about a week or so you should see the nitrite drop or dropping. When ammonia and nitrite are both 0 do a large water change 40%. Let it set a couple days and do another. If not below 40ppm nitrate do 1 more large water change. After that you should be able to get a couple pcs of live rock and see if it causes a mini cycle. If not you should be good to go start doing regular weekly water changes. Get a cuc and have fun.
Looks stalled... Take some water to your LFS for testing, sometimes it's nice to be sure it's not your kit. Stop the ammonia if it's not rising it's coverting. Now the nitrite has to start converting to keep up. Once thats complete you should be able to add a little ammonia and see it's gone in 24hrs.
I lived in phx. for about 6 years... it does get warm there. You've got lights and pumps that heat the water also. A fan will help keep the tank temp close to ambient temp. and makes a nice humidifier. I have to run 1 a couple hours a day here to hold the tank temp down room temp is 76-78 tank runs about 78-80.
I got a digital thermometer today -- is 81F max OK?
Also, did a 25% water change with my RODI water for the first time and here are the new water stats:
Ammonia: 0.10
Nitrite: 1.0
Nitrate: 20
Drastic drop from a few days ago.
PLUS -- Are these diatoms on the edge here?
and....got my 2 O-clowns in the quarantine tank. I bet it'll be perfect timing. A few weeks more for the diatoms to go crazy, then another 2 weeks for the CUC to bring it back
Also, did a 25% water change with my RODI water for the first time and here are the new water stats:
Ammonia: 0.10
Nitrite: 1.0
Nitrate: 20
Drastic drop from a few days ago.
PLUS -- Are these diatoms on the edge here?
and....got my 2 O-clowns in the quarantine tank. I bet it'll be perfect timing. A few weeks more for the diatoms to go crazy, then another 2 weeks for the CUC to bring it back
Last edited:
