Green Water.. Bacteria Bloom Or Algae?!

[sven_sol]

I've posted in the planted forum and no one seems to be able to help, so I'll give the quick story on here.

I have a new(ish) tank, Juwel Rio 240, and you guys have helped me set it up, been great! Thanks!

I've attached a picture of the location of it, in relation to the room/window so you can tell me if its a bacteria bloom or an algae one - but don't think its the latter.

Last week I bought a Power-Glo 18000k 40W light for the back of the tank. I was told that it would be good for the plants and for anything else that I care to put in there. I less than a week the water started to go green. After reading lots I took the light out and put in the old one that came with the tank as I read that high blue lights can increase algae.

I've transfered across my Bio Turbo CO2 system into it (with a home made concoction for the CO2 source) because I hadnt added it first (DOH!! ) So now I think I added too much light, not enough CO2 and a fair amount of plant food in the form of the substrate and some Flourish Excel.

Nitrates were up a little so I've done a 20% water change and set the lights to a 5-2-5 cycle, hopefully this will stop the build up of algae just in case it is that, and the CO2 is on the same timer.

I want to get this just right before I tranfer the rest of the fish to the tank.. or do you think more fish would help??

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!

Excuse the mess

 

[cichlidtank]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your are correct, the 18000k bulb is too "hot" in terms of color temperature, if you can go back and exchange the bulb or unit for one that has a 5600k bulb or so, you might reduce the algae growth a little (even 10,000k is usually more for marine tanks). Also, a certain amount of algae can be expected with a new tank that is being planted, but the fact that your nitrates are high points maybe a little more to bacteria (although it could be a spike due to the cycling). Especially if you are getting noxious smells from the water, its probably a bacteria problem. Keep a close eye on the nitrate fluctuations during and after your done cycling, draw the blinds to that window, fully control the amount of light the tank gets via your artificial light (although 40 watts for that tank seems a little on the dim side), keep on the regular CO2 applications, and fertilize as directed (usually on a weekly cycle with weekly water changes)- also check to make sure that your fertilizer does not contain excessive amounts of phosphates (although phosphorous combounds are relatively ok I think, its part of the label: 5-2-5 = 5% nitrogen, 2% phosphorous compounds, and 5% potasium compounds) , excessive inert ingredients which are phosphates could also stimulate algae growth (but usually aquatic plant fertilizers dont have them due to this reason).

But, good luck and I hope all goes well.

 

[sven_sol]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your are correct, the 18000k bulb is too "hot" in terms of color temperature, if you can go back and exchange the bulb or unit for one that has a 5600k bulb or so, you might reduce the algae growth a little (even 10,000k is usually more for marine tanks).

Thought so, so I have the Day Light and the Warm light in now. Don't know the colour temperature of them but no where near blue!

Also, a certain amount of algae can be expected with a new tank that is being planted, but the fact that your nitrates are high points maybe a little more to bacteria (although it could be a spike due to the cycling). Especially if you are getting noxious smells from the water, its probably a bacteria problem.

Thats the thing, it smells fine which really confuses me. I'm hoping that it is algae and I've cought it just in time! Hopefully before it goes like this:
http/www.aquaticscape.com/articles/algae/gw_1.jpg

Keep a close eye on the nitrate fluctuations during and after your done cycling, draw the blinds to that window, fully control the amount of light the tank gets via your artificial light (although 40 watts for that tank seems a little on the dim side), keep on the regular CO2 applications, and fertilize as directed (usually on a weekly cycle with weekly water changes)- also check to make sure that your fertilizer does not contain excessive amounts of phosphates (although phosphorous combounds are relatively ok I think, its part of the label: 5-2-5 = 5% nitrogen, 2% phosphorous compounds, and 5% potasium compounds) , excessive inert ingredients which are phosphates could also stimulate algae growth (but usually aquatic plant fertilizers dont have them due to this reason).

But, good luck and I hope all goes well.

Thanks! Keeping an eye on the level like a hawk, the plants in there seem to be doing really well so something is right. The Flourish Excel stuff from Seachem doesnt have any stats on ratios but I don't think that this is a proper fertiliser.. its says its an "Organic Carbon Source" (whatever that means!!)

I havent got any tests for phosphorous or potasium or anything else like that, but I do have a CO2 meter which I'll have to put in shortly.

Thanks for advice!!

 

[cichlidtank]

It sounds like you'll do just fine. Good luck with the tank.