Need help with ID-what is this?

[Dundermifflin]

This just showed up on a few rocks out of nowhere yesterday. It looks like green algae. What is it and would it be normal to grow this fast? I have a 110 gallon FO. ASM G1 skimmer in 20 gallon sump with bio balls in sump to Nu-Clear canister with bio balls into tank. I'm getting rid of all the bio balls today. Putting in filter cartridge in the canister and two Chemi-Pure Elite bags. Will put a couple rocks in the sump and remove the bio balls.

I just finished rebuilding the tank/set up after being down for a few years. I just put water into the tank about five days ago. Just started turning the light on Saturday for 3 1/2 hours a night. Salinity at 1.021, ammonia level good (ammonia alert badge), nitrates and nitrites at 0. Water temp fluctuated from 78 to 81 and back down to 78 once I set up the fans to cool it down. The rocks were live fiji that have been dead for a few years. I emptied out the tank and they sat in there the whole time. I recently soaked them in a vinegar/water solution for 36 hours and rinsed them well. They sat for about a month covered in plastic after that and before I put into the tank.

What's the best way to get rid of it and keep it out (should I let the rocks sit in the sun for a couple days). Live in CA-90 degrees here.

I've attached pictures of the rocks as well as my setup for any advice.

Thanks.

 

[Dundermifflin]

Anyone?

 

[TigeBell]

Looks like algae to me and yes, algae can grow fast. At this time, I would definitely expect algae growth on a cycling tank. Just leave it alone and let it run it's course. Once your ammonia is at zero and your nitrates have a reading, do a:

1) water change,
2) add some GFO to your system, and
3) add a CUC.

Good luck

 

[Mishri]

algae will grow with nitrate and phosphate in your system. I like using macro algae to use that up. where your bio balls are you can put in cheato or whatever else you might like in there. (You might have to screen them in so it doesn't get sucked into a pump or different chamber).

Another option is putting in phosphate remover as Tigebell said.

If it's going to be fish only you probably don't even need to do either of those things, many fish will eat algae off of rocks. (My tang keeps my rocks cleaned)... so it's just fish food.

 

[CafeReef]

I feel the need to post and say that your setup is amazing.

 

[Dundermifflin]

Thanks! Appreciate all the feedback.

Would it benefit the tank to put dry rock (dried out live Fiji rock) in the bottom of sump where bio balls are?

 

[mcgyvr]

Normal for a new tank..
New tanks when cycling and maturing go through all sorts of stages.. algae/diatoms/cyano,etc....

Its going to get far worse.. but then will get better... wait it out. Fighting anything now IMO just hurts the tank in the long run.. Its part of a new tank..

Might want to take some time and read some of the sticky posts for newbies on here.. Specifically the one with the comprehensive list for setting up a new tank/etc...

 

[Dundermifflin]

Thanks. Is it ok to put the Chemi-pure elite bags in now or wait til it's done cycling and fish are in it?

 

[Dundermifflin]

If I replace bio balls in my sump with dry rock and algae starts to form on the dry rocks in the sump do they need to be cleaned off every so often? Will the algae growing on those rocks get into the main tank and cause algae to grow there?

 

[ajcanale]

This is all IMO, but at this point Chemi-pure is completely unnecessary and would be overkill. Also, lose the bioballs completely. They will provide nothing but headaches down the road, via uncontrollable nitrates.

Also based on the pics posted what you are seeing is 100% normal part of the process.

 

[Dundermifflin]

Thanks!