Just when you think things are ok!

[ianmartyn]

Well I have gone through the first three weeks of the honeymoon phase with my tank and am experiencing some growing pains.

My tank is entering its fourth week of cycling. I started it up from scratch with a brand new filter (and media), however the substrate was from an old tank I broke down about six months ago.

Details:

Subtrate: 3-5” of flourite
Lights: Sunlight supply T5 HO @ 108 watts, 8 hrs a day
Filtration: Eheim 2217
UV sterilizer: internal 9 watt on 24/7
CO2: Pressurized co2 with reactor, plumbed into the output of my filter.
Drop checker showing green, however I haven’t made up a proper solution for it. Currently just using tank water,
Plants: some HC planted sporadically around, some Eleocharis vivipara, Eleocharis parvula and Pygmy Chain Sword.

Using EI dosing – macros 3 times a week (KNO3 to over 20ppm, and KH2PO4 to over 2ppm) and Seachem Flourish three times a week.

Doing 50% and 25% water change once a week.

Problems:

The first three weeks went alright. At times, it seemed like I had some true pearling with my HC and it was starting to spread. My grasses were getting higher and sending off new runners, etc. I didn’t dose the first two weeks and started last week.

Last week I started dosing the above ferts and have since seen a pretty severe outbreak of what looks to be brown algae or green spot algae. However, it is only growing on rocks and substrate and there is no noticeable growth on the glass. In addition I am starting to notice some other algae stringing off some of my Chain Sword. I am also getting ‘scum’ algae on water surface. I have recently adjusted the spray bar to increase surface agitation.

I know the first thing I’m going to be told is to get some 4Dkh solution for my drop checker. I am planning to make some in the next couple days.

However, I’m looking for any major problems in the setup that anyone can see. In addition, does anyone have any advice in combating the first wave of this nasty algae? Or is this ‘normal’ for a new tank and something I should wait out. I’m just a little concerned as some of the algae is starting to grow on the HC! Nooooooooo!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Wasserpest]

Hi Ian, what size tank are we looking at?

It is pretty normal for new tanks to go through algae cycles, and my recommendation is to wait it out, while giving plants the best possible conditions for fast growth.

You might want to slow down on your fertilizers a bit until things get settled in, and stuffing the tank full with fast growing weeds helps to reduce the severity and length of the various algae outbreaks.

Reducing the light initially is another good idea. Most importantly, realize that algae will come and go, and patience might be the key.

[mrchach]

i am having the same problems...

ive had slight but managable algae for about a month now... but the last week since i added pressurized co2 keeping my drop checker lime green i have had massive algae outbreaks on everything that isn't growing (ie rocks/glass/substrate/driftwood/older leaves)

bba/bga/string algae/green spot algae and some other algae i can't even id!

im hoping its a stage and im gonna go buy some nerite snails...

[Sharkfood]

Why didn't you dose for 2 weeks? Algae can grow whether you dose or not. Making the plants go without ferts under high lights for 2 weeks will weaken them, which makes it easier for algae to grow on the leaves. The plants are still trying to grow, but don't have the materials they need. Your plants likely consumed nearly all of the available nitrate and potassium in the first couple of days.

[MarkMc]

Originally Posted by Sharkfood

Why didn't you dose for 2 weeks? Algae can grow whether you dose or not. Making the plants go without ferts under high lights for 2 weeks will weaken them, which makes it easier for algae to grow on the leaves. The plants are still trying to grow, but don't have the materials they need. Your plants likely consumed nearly all of the available nitrate and potassium in the first couple of days.

yep