new tank...brown algae explosion

[grunter_1]

Newly started 125 RR AGA w/ megaflows, Coralife Super Skimmer, sump with newly planted mangroves(3) and shaving brush plants. Adding Reef Vital DNA. C-Balance per directions, 4 powerheads, MH/combo actinics @ 11-12 hrs.per day. Just added Florida fresh harvest live rock last Thursday have been doing 10-15 gpd water changes w/ RO using ReefCrystals at 1.23, ammonia has already spiked (never let it get above 1.5 before doing water change)down to "0" now, nitrite went up to .50 but now has dropped to .25, nitrate is still non issue. Getting all sorts of rust/brown algae that generates lots of bubbles and looks nasty. cleaning crew has bumblebee snails , nassarius, dwarf zebra crabs, cerith snails, turkey wing clams, and some astreas.
Is this just a normal part of the cycling? Is this diatomasious algae? Will it ever go away....and will Dorothy ever find her way back to Kansas?:lol:

 

[mfinn]

The algae is just part of the cycle. Something that everybody has to go through.
I would stop adding anything to the tank. There is nothing there that needs any additives.
Cut you light period back. Again nothing in the tank needs that much light right now.

 

[grunter_1]

Ya know...I was going to ask about that which is why I mentioned the lighting period I was using. Thanks for the info. Should I completely kill the lighting for now and if so for how long, 'til it goes away?
By the way , I was stationed in Seattle w/ the Coast Gaurd back in 78 or so. Beautiful country.

 

[mfinn]

I see no reason for lights on a tank that has no fish or corals. Just adding to the electric bill. IMO.
When the tank is done cycling and you want to start adding fish, then start with the lights. You may battle several different kinds of algae before it's over. Less lights will help to some degree. Good skimming.

Seattle is nice, but it rains all the time.lol

 

[grunter_1]

Thanks mfinn, I appreciate the advice. And yeah it did rain quite a bit. Have a good day

 

[km133688]

normal. Some tanks take 18 months to beat the algae. Most tanks have some form of algae somewhere but it eventually becomes real small amounts. I am no expert yet but I can stick my foot in it and make some thoughts known just the same:

1) Add a phosphate reactor. Works good, easy to keep phosphates down that way.

2) Add lots of LR. Best way to keep nitrates down that I know of.

3) Understand the ligting needs of you tank inhabitants current and planned. Then get the best lighting possible for them. Pay special attention to the blubs. Cheap bulbs mess stuff up. Also, always find out manufacturers recommended bulb for a light fixture. And lastly, ask you reef club buddies if they know anythinb about bulbs, fixtures, and what combinations work well. Check out other people's tanks, then find out what the ones that look good, have.

Good luck, Kevin