The Algae has arrived

[Ann1214]

Six weeks into the new tank. Added new lights last week, and the algae has truly taken off. This is a light brown layer on the sand and on the live rock.

I had added some snails, a few hermit crabs and five chromis last Saturday. My nitrates, nitrites and ammonia all look good - but I do not have a phosphate test kit. Is my livestock at risk?

I had planned a water change tomorrow anyway. (I am using R/O) water.

Should I do anything else? Should I cut back on the light. (I had added new T5 lights last week.

Thanks

Ann

 

[Andrew]

Its a new tank, bound to have that. How much flow do you have and whats your turn over rate. That brown algae can also form if you have bad bulbs or if the bulbs are old.

 

[swissgaurd]

give it lots of flow feed sparingly
algae is normal should go away soon

 

[Ann1214]

How do you tell how much "flow" you have? I did buy the light fixture 2nd hand. In theory, the bulbs have had 3 months use. One of the bulbs does look "funny" (It is labled "mid day", and looks yellow to me).

 

[dots]

"Flow" is a subjective term. High flow in a SPS tank would blow the polyps off in a LPS tank. Just make sure you have moving water and no dead spots, where algae will collect. I think powerheads is something that people play with until they find a type and manufacturer they like. Which is a matter of personal preference.......I know others may give different advice, but 3-4 heads pointing in different directions in the 800 gph range or so would be good enough. Right guys?

 

[fishaholic911]

cutting the light back is fine you do not have any corals that will stress. your tank is cycling do not add any more fish until it has stablized. add more flow (powerheads) and it will go away in a few weeks

 

[doodoobrown]

at just six weeks this is a normal thing. give it time and make sure you have movement. like above the waterflow is dependant on the corals you plan on having just work on making sure there are no deadspots for now.

 

[TekCat]

As previously stated, it is a normal phase for a new tank, no worries, it'll pass.... then wait for green hair algea, and then cyano. It is all natural, no need to panic. Just do regular weekly or bi-weekly water changes, and maybe cut lighting period a bit.

If the light from one of the bulbs looks yellow to the eye - replace it!