Cycle Question.

[Anonymous]

I recently removed the biobale from my CPR skimmer and replaced it with the bubble trap. I suspected that the bio bale was responsible for my 10 Nitrate reading. So after I removed it, I am now having a fairly significant algae problem that I have never had before. Would I be correct in suspecting that the removal of the bio bale lowered the tanks ability to process nutrients, due to the removal of beneficial bacteria and therefore the tank is going through another cycle? Or is there another aulprit I should be suspecting. I don't over feed as I feed meaty foods every other day and the tang gets nori dailey. I have also recently had a problem with high dKH ~16 that has been corrected in the last 5 weeks to 10dKH. Could that also be the culprit? OR I also replaced my 20K Xm bulbs with 14K phoenix. Could that play a part as well? Or is it a combination of the events?

Also, should I let it run its course or should I clean the tank often? I have alot of little bubbles all over in the tank. Kind of unsightly but I think it is part of the "cycle" I am experiening. Sorry to ramble, but just curious as to if what I suspect is true and what I should do if anything. Thanks.

 

[Len]

It's probably a combination of events. I would suspect, though, that it's your bulb change that is the biggest culprit. The Phoenix 14K is much much brighter then the XM 20K, and I'm guessing it was a limiting factor for your hair algae growth. The little bubbles you're seeing could be mostly extra byproducts of photosynthesis (oxygen) because of the brighter lights.

You may want to do some water changes to reduce nutrients and try to make that the limiting factor for algae growth. I think, however, that your tank should balance itself out after some time. It's simply getting used to the new dynamics.

 

[Anonymous]

That is kind of what I figured, thanks for the reassurance. Always nice to have a second opinion.