New tank question

[PTrainer262]

Hi Everyone!

My 28g Biocube has been up and running for 9 days. Patiently waiting for it to cycle.... Ive noticed that my live rock and sand is starting to grow a black fuzzy algae. I have not had the lights on very much, only a couple hours a day and is not by an open window. Is this normal during the cycle phase?

Here are the stats on my tank:
-stock lights(not hqi)
-425 Hydor pump
-using Chemipure
-removed 1/2 of bioballs
-temp running between 78 and 80... Had heater plugged in but tank was running closer to 82* so I turned it off.
-Tested tank twice so far... (My ph is a little low)

Thanks for your help!
-Salinity 1.024

 

[Sk8r]

Is it black when you have the lights on? ie, is it actually dark green? Black stuff in a tank is not good---usually occurs deep in sandbed. But once your good bacteria start to take over, they should handle it.

 

[crobattt]

That's usual for new tank, probably some type of algae bloom or diatom, hard to tell thought without pictures.

 

[PTrainer262]

Nope, it's black.
Now after really, REALLY looking at all my live rock, I see a big patch growing on the underside of one of the pieces! Eeeek! I'll get a pic tonight and post it.

 

[PTrainer262]

ok here are the pics...

 

[lambchops]

Looks like it could be dark green. But Cant really tell.

 

[PTrainer262]

My husband and I both agree its black, but reguardless of color, do I wait to take care of it till after the tank cycles? Keep the lights off for a few days?
Its the piece of LR on the left that has me the most worried- that fuzzy patch seemed to come from nowhere.

 

[Psirex]

raise\buffer your ph... What are your nitrate levels? Did you put anything in to jump start the cycle?

 

[lambchops]

Rock might be leeching phosphate.

 

[PTrainer262]

My ph is a little low- it's at 7.8
Amm- 0
Nitrite- 0 (last week was 1.0)
Nitrate- 80

Using API kit

I didn't add anything to the tank...yet.
I know I need to add the buffer to raise ph. LFS said I could wait to do this till after tank cycles.... I talked to him before the outbreak happened.

 

[Psirex]

you nitrate level is high - and that will lead to algae outbreak. Do a partial water change (20%). There is no real quick way to get them down outside of that. I take it you are using ro/di water?

 

[jimmy frag]

never seen black algea like that. 20% water change will do nothing as it will only lower your nitrates to 64. read up on GFO. check your water supply. RODI is best. 2 x 50% water change is where i would start

 

[drew930]

Looks like cyano. I had same stuff. Raise your pH slowly to 8.2. Nitrates is way to high . Are you doing kalkwasser ? If not, this is an easy way to raise pH, and is a good thing to dose regardless.

 

[PTrainer262]

What is kalkwasser? I'm just starting out and still learning all the lingo and what not.

I'm using the pre-made salt water from LFS and RO/DI from there also for top off(haven't added any yet).

I just got home and it's really starting to spread. Going to head over to the not so LFS with the pics and water sample and see what they suggest. I bought my tank and everything else from them and made sure I did my home work in checking out all the stores in my area since I am new and needed a place that is knowledgeable and very helpful.... Hopefully I can get this taken care of ASAP!

I'll let you know what they say....

 

[Psirex]

What is kalkwasser? I'm just starting out and still learning all the lingo and what not.

I'm using the pre-made salt water from LFS and RO/DI from there also for top off(haven't added any yet).

I just got home and it's really starting to spread. Going to head over to the not so LFS with the pics and water sample and see what they suggest. I bought my tank and everything else from them and made sure I did my home work in checking out all the stores in my area since I am new and needed a place that is knowledgeable and very helpful.... Hopefully I can get this taken care of ASAP!

I'll let you know what they say....

Test the water you have on hand for topping off - it should read close to zero across the board.

 

[PTrainer262]

Test the water you have on hand for topping off - it should read close to zero across the board.

Ok- I'll test it now....
Their water read O's across the board-so no problems there.


Just tested my tank water again and Nitrate is now down to 40ppm so that's good...Headed in right direction from that aspect.

 

[PTrainer262]

Blew off all the "stuff"on the LR... About to vacuum up everything that settled and doing my first water change. Hopefully will bring nitrates down. Keeping lights off for next 3 days also. Wait and see what happens over the next few days....

 

[PTrainer262]

So..
I did a 25% water change to bring nitrates down 2 days ago and they are still at 40ppm.

Do I wait or do another water change now?

 

[PTrainer262]

So..
I did a 25% water change to bring nitrates down 2 days ago and they are still at 40ppm.

Do I wait or do another water change now?

 

[JohnnyRI]

The more water changes you do will bring down your nitrates. After I cycled my 90 I had high nitrates in the 60 range. Did two 50% water changes A few days from each other and my nitrates were down to 20 if I remember corectly. From there 20% weekly water changes kept them around 5ppm or less. Should do some research on fuges they canx very beneficial.