Algae Bloom

[Athos]

I just started a new reef aquarium and am cycling my water, wk 3, all the normal things are going as should. Ammonia is dropping and nitrites are spiking, so on so forth. The problem is I have a brown algae bloom all of a sudden and can't figure out why or how to solve it. I have an in-line phosphate cannister filter and charcoal cannister. I also have a great protien skimmer. All I can think of is my water temp is a bit high, around 84 degrees. Can anyone help with this?

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

Algae blooms during cycling are not uncommon.

 

[Jolieve]

brown algae bloom...

Diatoms.

This is perfectly normal. Don't sweat it, it will die off on its own. If you really find it unsightly, you can siphon it off during water changes.

J.

 

[spsmike]

Since your water params have gone down have you done any water changes?

 

[SnowManSnow]

As most posters can attest too a brown algae bloom is VERY common when setting up a tank. The tank, as long as it is nicely kept, will eventually balance out with the growth of coraline and so forth. Margarita snails feast on the stuff too. They COMPLETELY cleaned my rockwork when I first set up.


B.

 

[Unarce]

During the initial cycle, a new system lacks the ability to convert nitrates into nitrogen quickly enough, allowing the algae to flourish. As your tank matures, you'll have more denitrifying (anaerobic) bacteria to process nitrates at a faster rate.

 

[Tackett]

listen to the guys, they are smart.

 

[Anonymous]

I just started a new reef aquarium and am cycling my water, wk 3, all the normal things are going as should. Ammonia is dropping and nitrites are spiking, so on so forth. The problem is I have a brown algae bloom all of a sudden and can't figure out why or how to solve it. I have an in-line phosphate cannister filter and charcoal cannister. I also have a great protien skimmer. All I can think of is my water temp is a bit high, around 84 degrees. Can anyone help with this?

Thanks,

the brown algae does come at about the third week. Eventually it is replaced with green algae. I have heard the silica or phosphates favor the brown then as nitrates build up the green algaes take hold. All normal in most new setups.

If you have established other plant life like macros or true marine plants right at the beginning, the nusiance algaes would be much less and/or eliminated. And nitrates would be almost a 0.0 plus ammonia non existant and nitrIte spikes much reduced or also eliminated althogether.

But then that is not the currently in vougue way of starting salt/reef tanks. So welcome to the world of algae blooms. And ammonia, nitrItes, and nitrates.

 

[Juck]

So welcome to the world of algae blooms. And ammonia, nitrItes, and nitrates.

In other words, welcome to a pefectly normal, perfectly healthy young reef tank.

 

[SnowManSnow]

a fuge with lots of thriving plant life would cut down on the bad guys. But not everyone has the resourses to do such a thing... (I'm savin' up though)

B.

 

[Anonymous]

a fuge with lots of thriving plant life would cut down on the bad guys. But not everyone has the resourses to do such a thing... (I'm savin' up though)

B.

My refugium only cost $10 for my 55g. It does not have to be an expensive, external complicated fuge. Just a partition in tank is all that is needed.