New Tank Algae Bloom

[HansZ]

Hi I am new to reef keeping and ask for some advice with my tank. I am having an algae bloom that is lasting over a week. The algae (that I'm concerned with) is green slime that builds on the walls of the tank. After I wipe it off, it comes back within an hour! The water also appears green (particularly after wall cleaning). Is this normal for a tank in its 5th week of cycling or should I take drastic measures (major water change etc)? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/comments.

My setup and parameters are as follows:

150 gal setup filled 4-5 weeks ago
started with 100lbs very well cured live rock (sitting in water for 3 months)
added 150lbs cured with active growth

50lbs aragonite w/ 20lbs live sand

200wVHO (wht/blue act) on 9hrs (2) 250MH 10K on 3hrs along w/ VHO's

sock 100 micron filters on return (turn brm/gr from algae in 1 day!)

0-.25ppm ammonia; 0 nitrite; 0 nitrate; SG 1.025; PH 8.0; 100ppm alk; temp 77F Phos not test (will test tomorrow)

added 6 teaspoons of Kent Marine dKH to help raise pH (was at 7.9 to 8.0, now 8.0-8.1)

RO water used only No changes for first 4 weeks (I was waiting for the ammonia spike which I still have not seen) After algae started, I have changed 20 gals.

2 gobies, 2 cardinal fish 10 crabs & 10 snails(troch&turbos); all doing well

I've feed them 1/2 a frozen shrimp or formula 1packet each day.

 

[eliterecon14]

Tank

Hey I haven't had this happen to me at all. How many things do you have in your tank. I had mine since christmas and it is doing perfect. You have any pictures of your tank you can show? You might have too much phosphate or something will get into looking about that.

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF!! About the algae, for it to be there means something is fueling the algae to grow (excess phosphates, nitrates etc). Which test kits are you using? In any event, being the tank is newly setup though I wouldn't worry too much eventhough the algae is there after a week. Sometimes it takes a lot longer to rid the tank of algae. In any event, let us know which test kits you are using for starters

 

[HansZ]

Thanks

Thanks for the help. The test kits I'm using are from American Pharmaceuticals. I don't have one for Phosphate though but will tomorrow.

Here are a few pics. This is 20hrs after cleaning the walls.

Thanks again...

 

[Krish]

Hmmm...Never heard of that type of test kit before The fact that you do have algae growth though means something is fueling it to grow so just to be sure, if possible, I'd take a sample of your water to maybe your LFS and let them test it to see if they get the same numbers. A zero reading on the nitrates could mean that it is bound up in the algae which you see growing though...

Also, are you running a skimmer?

 

[HansZ]

Hi. Yes, I have a Kent Marine TE skimmer which seems to work well (see pic). I empty about 6oz of green/black waste daily. BTW, I meant Aquarium Pharmaceuticals for the test kits (sorry) I tested again today and all parameters are still perfect. I'm going to bring a sample to the store today and get a phosphate kit too. Thanks...

 

[dnjan]

When you clean the algae, do you use a scraper or a pad? With the type of algae you have, I would use a pad. Then, after cleaning, rinse the pad out in your sink. That way you are removing the algae, not just moving it around.

 

[probe dms]

Thanks for the help. The test kits I'm using are from American Pharmaceuticals. I don't have one for Phosphate though but will tomorrow.

Here are a few pics. This is 20hrs after cleaning the walls.

Thanks again...

your clean up krew needs to be fired.

 

[Bainic]

I tend to have this same kind of algea build up in my tank. It seems like it's constantly regenerating itself onto my glass. I use a magfloat to clean with, then occasionally a scrubber to get where the magfloat can't. Maybe you smarter reefers out there could help out a couple people here.

 

[Scooterman]

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Is API!
Your tank looks great, Stop trying to adjust your PH at this point & let this tank cycle. It seems as though your LR was in water for months but was it under lighting, was it in a tub with a heater & circulation? If not then you changed things & it will cycle, let it settle!

 

[HansZ]

Phosphate

Thanks for all the help. I had my water tested yesterday and all parameters that I tested check out. The store tested my Phosphate (which I now have a test kit for) and it was high (.5ppm). When I tested it again at home i measured 1ppm (not good)!! Since my new water tests zero, it must be from over feeding (I was told overfeeding a little was ok in the beginning to help cycling; never again ).

I will change 40-50 gallons (later today) and add a Kent Marine phosphate reducing bag and hope this will help. I will take the advice of carefully cleaning the algae off so it doesn't become suspended again. I use microfiber cloths right now for cleaning.

Regarding the cleaning crew, I spoken with them about poor performance. They claimed they were overworked (20 snails/crabs 150 gal tank) so I added another 35 or so .

 

[dnjan]

... and add a Kent Marine phosphate reducing bag ...

I don't remember well enough which type of phosphate absorber is used by Kent. Basically, there are two general types: aluminum-based absorbers and iron-based absorbers. You tank is still young, and I assume there are no corals. However, some people have had trouble with the aluminum-based phosphate absorbers (corals reacted poorly), presumably because of aluminum being released into the tank.

You might want to be careful in the future, and only use the iron-based phosphate absorbers if you plan on keeping corals.

 

[Scooterman]

I didn't notice that you had fish already, your algae blooms are still normal but feeding 1/2 a shrimp a day is way to much for those fish, not even a 1/4. It looks more like your rushing into this, I would slow down some, let your tank mature. In time you will understand why I say this!