New tank algae?

[feenixfire]

Hi all, back for some more advice. New Biocube 29, running probably 7 weeks, mostly dry rock with live rock frags and live sand. This is what it looks like now. Tons of algae everywhere. Only had a .25 ammonia spike about a week ago and now everything's reading zero. Do I need to wait or should I start adding the cleaning crew? This will be a FOWLER. Do I need to try and scrub off the algae or does the cleaning crew work on that? Any recommendations for a cleaning crew?

 

[username in use]

If your readings spiked and then leveled out you can start to add your cleanup crew. They should start to clean things up for you.

I would do a water change a day or so before just to be safe.

 

[Atilla_87]

I would go ahead and add a cleanup crew. It looks like you already got a start with those unchins. Emerald crabs can also help with the hair algae.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

A reading of ammonia of .25 is not a spike. You need to put in pure ammonia to 2ppm then see if your ammonia and nitrites are 0 after 24 hrs. I suspect that your tank isn't yet cycled. UNLESS you started with a good quality live rock, which it appears you did not.

When adding pure ammonia you want one that has no additives, you can buy this at any hardware store or even most grocery stores in the cleaning section. Find one without scent then shake the bottle, if it foams up it has additives, if it does not foam then that is the one you want.

In the event that your tank was not cycled this will start the cycle, if it goes to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites in 24 hours then your tank was cycled. Best to check it now than after you add a cuc.