Last night I feel asleep with the blue light

[idgy]

Last night I feel asleep and for got to turn of the blues lights. This morning I woke up and my life rock is covered with brown algae.

Will this go away?

 

[plack]

I would Just get a timer at riteaide $9 and then you can "set it and forget it".Yes the algae is from the lights and will eventually go away I would use your power head to blow any off after a week or so leave it alone for now and don't worry about what's already done. We all forget I do it alot so all one can ever do is try to not make it happen again and the timer is cheap and no worries
Paul

 

[Angelscrx]

Ditto what plack said. Get the timer!

 

[idgy]

I have a question. When do I start using my lights and not get brown algae?

 

[MikeS]

I have a question. When do I start using my lights and not get brown algae?

As soon as you remove the nutrients from your system that are fueling it....


What kind of water do you use?

MikeS

 

[idgy]

I use r/o for my water

 

[MikeS]

It could be possible that your RO isn't getting enough bad stuff out of the water...

Bottom line...lights are really not the #1 cause of algae. They can definately acclerate the process, or provide the last little bit of the ideal enviornment for the algae to thrive (like in the case of old lights with a red shift), but ultimately, the nutrients in the water that the algae need to grow have to be present. Remove these nutrients and you starve them. You need to figure out where the nutrients are coming from and correct that issue.

MikeS

 

[NaH2O]

idgy - your tank has just finished cycling, and you are beginning to stock it with your clean-up crew. There will be cycles of different algaes appearing for a little while. You'll get all kinds....diatoms, cyano, and hair to name a few. Hopefully your algae cycle will be short lived. I think the algae you are seeing is part of "new tank syndrome".

 

[MikeS]

idgy - your tank has just finished cycling, and you are beginning to stock it with your clean-up crew. There will be cycles of different algaes appearing for a little while. You'll get all kinds....diatoms, cyano, and hair to name a few. Hopefully your algae cycle will be short lived. I think the algae you are seeing is part of "new tank syndrome".

Nikki has a very good point, new tanks are always in a wild state of flux, and algae is almost unavoidable...however, the same rule of thumb applies...reduce the nutrients to reduce the algae. In a new tank, however, don't get overly agressive with it, the bacteria that is trying to establish itself in the tank needs the nutrients to do so...

MikeS

 

[KimPossible]

Get some timers
I was sssooooo pleased when got my actinics, 10ks and nightlight on an automatic schedule.
Prior to the timers, I was revolving my life around my tanks lighting.

 

[Angelscrx]

What are your water parameters? Water changes will help but it was mentioned don't get too aggressive with. As soon as beneficial bacteria gets established it will start to compete and beat the bad algae. The circle of life!

 

[Katchupoy]

IDGY, im assuming that you are still cylcing your tank which is normal.
Others, just leave their actinics on 24/7. Thats why you need a good skimmer, a lot of snails and water change.

And yes, in my experience, even if its already done cycling, and you change your lighting example.... PC to VHO or VHO to MH then you will still experience a mini cycle.

If you can post your parameters here... it will help us see your tank more...