Algae

fishy55599

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algae is now growing on my sand (well the sheels)


there is brown hair, and green. when i get something to turn the sand will this go? or is this also part of the cycle?
 
During the cycle the Ammonia will turn to Nitrite which then gets turned in to Nitrate from the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Nitrate is less toxic than Ammonia and Nitrite but is like a fertilizer to algae growth.

The only way to remove Nitrate is to do weekly water changes. I also understand that live rock helps break down Nitrate but hopefully someone here can confirm.

Don't panic and do not do a water change (yet) if you are cycling the tank as it will slow the process down.

Once your tank reads 0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrite after 12 hours of adding 4.0 Ammonia to the tank it is cycled - then do a 50% water change :)

IMO its a good sign - when the tank starts picking up Nitrate as you are halfway there.

Do a water test for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.

Are you doing a fishless cycle?
 
It's more likely to be the Ammonia causing the algae to boom, less energy is required to break down Ammonia into Nitrogen by the algae.

@the holding, cycling a marine tank is vastly different to Freshwater.
 
During the cycle the Ammonia will turn to Nitrite which then gets turned in to Nitrate from the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Nitrate is less toxic than Ammonia and Nitrite but is like a fertilizer to algae growth.

The only way to remove Nitrate is to do weekly water changes. I also understand that live rock helps break down Nitrate but hopefully someone here can confirm. havent done that yet, i havent had a cycle that i know of (i got test kit after rock) but have been told change 50 litres before adding cuc, then 25l a week after that.

Don't panic and do not do a water change (yet) if you are cycling the tank as it will slow the process down. it has cycled i just waiting for weeken to do a change

Once your tank reads 0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrite after 12 hours of adding 4.0 Ammonia to the tank it is cycled - then do a 50% water change :) you dont need ammonia to cycle the tank.

IMO its a good sign - when the tank starts picking up Nitrate as you are halfway there. at least it is a good sign, as it doesnt look it :lol:

Do a water test for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. last test was on sunday, and ammonia-0 nitrite-0 nitrate-5-10 ph 8

Are you doing a fishless cycle? yes, get my CUC next week :hyper:

It's more likely to be the Ammonia causing the algae to boom, less energy is required to break down Ammonia into Nitrogen by the algae.

@the holding, cycling a marine tank is vastly different to Freshwater.

the levels are all fine.
it has been there a few days, just looks ugly :sad:
 
With you saying 'part of the cycle' I presumed you were still cycling. If I were you I'd run some PO4 remover, do you have means of testing it? I'd also do a water change to reduce your nitrate levels if they're above 0.
 
oh wat i ment was is algae a sign of cycle
PO4?
im gonna change 50litres on weekend, ready for my CUC
 
It's more likely to be the Ammonia causing the algae to boom, less energy is required to break down Ammonia into Nitrogen by the algae.

@the holding, cycling a marine tank is vastly different to Freshwater.

Fair enough. I didn't cycle a fresh or marine tank I started with a brackish tank and slowly converted it to marine so it is not my field of expertise.

You say cycling tanks are vastly different yet you still need ammonia for it to cycle - yes regards to marines this is mainly created from the die off on the live rock.

However FOWLR can still be implemented feeding the tank ammonia thus similar.
 
True in that respect, but with a FOWLR the ammonia is normally a product of the decay of dead bacteria, I do agree that 'vastly' was a bit of an over-statement.
 
dead or dying organisms on Live rock [uncured in this case] cycles marine tanks.

You dont dose with ammonia and you don't do a water change until the cycle is complete.

Algae is produced from excess nutrients in the tank ie phosphate and nitrate. This also encourages coraline algae spores. Intense lighting also plays a part.

Running rowaphos/phosban/de nitrate or cheatomorpha algae as well as a good CUC and scrub will take care of any algae outbreaks. Reduced lighting period and reduction in feeding also helps!

Diatoms [brown patches on substrate and LR] Is usually a sign that a cycle is coming to an end.
 
Algae is produced from excess nutrients in the tank ie phosphate and nitrate. This also encourages coraline algae. Intense lighting also plays a part.
i think a wen i start doing w/c it will be fine, there isnt too much but i dont like the littlest bit :lol: but i guess its normal
Diatoms [brown patches on substrate and LR] Is usually a sign that a cycle is coming to an end.
these are worse all over my glass :sick:
 
Algae is produced from excess nutrients in the tank ie phosphate and nitrate. This also encourages coraline algae. Intense lighting also plays a part.
i think a wen i start doing w/c it will be fine, there isnt too much but i dont like the littlest bit :lol: but i guess its normal
Diatoms [brown patches on substrate and LR] Is usually a sign that a cycle is coming to an end.
these are worse all over my glass :sick:

Just leave it for your CUC. It won't be there long once you have some snails and hermits!
 
no, probally wont be, especially with mexican turbos :lol:
 

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