Tank Break in/Alge Problems

[lrg]

- So my new tank has been running for 3 weeks now - so far I've added 2 large pieces of live rock (8 lbs each) in addition to the dead rock and sand bed.

1 Med. Yellow Tank & 1 Scooter Blenny.

I started getting some brown algae on the sand so I added 5 Hermit Crabs

This helped with the sand problem although I was hoping that they would clear up the green algae that is on the rock moved from my old tank..no such luck...

I then added 4 large snails (Margarita?) and 5 small snails.

My problem is that I still have a large amount of what I think is Hair Algae - (Its like little hairs on the glass...all over...) So I'm in a quandary - do I wait now before adding any more fish (I really need to add my 2 clowns so I can shut down the other tank or change it to rock cycle tank..)

My skimmer is pulling brown skim, however I have to have it set to almost closed to get the skimmer line to the top of the neck.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_0204.jpg

I have another Corallife 125 that I could add to the tank if folks thought it would help?

Could part of my problem be that its a new tank and still establishing? - Hopefully moving my old sand bed will help when I shut down the old tank..

I also have a terrible problem with particles of sand//dust? in the water - I have adding filter floss in a bunch of different places but can't seem to bottom it - any thoughts - I was hoping that this would settle down after a few days but it hasn't yet...

Cheers in advance!

[Europhyllia]

Margarita snails are usually from colder waters and will not last long.
Yes your algae problem is most likely related to the age of your tank.
You need some Turbo snails. My tank seems to be past the algae stage so if you want some tropical snails mine would love to move to your tank I am sure (free of course)

[allan]

I immediately thought that perhaps your tank hasn't cycled yet? But it looks as if you are setting up a new tank from an existing tank, and not knowing how big the new tank is I would guess that after three weeks and only two pieces of LR being added that your biological filtration isn't where it should be.

But, I've fought and continue to do so the diatoms and algae almost weekly.

someone with more experience will chime in I'm sure, but I do believe you will have another cycle once you move your old sand bed into the new system depending on how long it's been sitting in your old tank.

[Paul28]

is the skimmer at proper depth of water looks kinda deep in the water

[Paul28]

What are your lvls at ? sounds like new tank regular problems to me :0

[lrg]

is the skimmer at proper depth of water looks kinda deep in the water


Water level is just below the Octo sticker - I sent this to the manufacture to ask why the valve on the skimmer has to be set to nearly closed before it will work and they said that the level was ok:

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/IMG_8966.jpg

[lrg]

What are your lvls at ? sounds like new tank regular problems to me :0


I have AD check the water each week - so far so good - I have been doing about a 8-10% water change per week during the new days - I was thinking that it is probably just breaking jitters...

The lighting is quite powerful which may be making it worse: 2 x 250W MH + 4 Atinic T5's (OuterOrbit fixture)

[Paul28]

do you have no micro alge for the fuge ? becuse some alge will win also 2 ways i get rid of it is Mag raise 1600 to 1700 burn it not recomended tho or take the rocks and start scraping and get some way to reduse nitrates and Phosphates like a phosban reactor, also how long are your lights on and are thay old new or cheap ?

[justahobby]

Octopus skimmers tend to operate better with around 10" of water. How deep is your skimmer sitting now?

[Paul28]

you didt youse Childrens Play sand did you ?

[lrg]

do you have no micro alge for the fuge ? becuse some alge will win also 2 ways i get rid of it is Mag raise 1600 to 1700 burn it not recomended tho or take the rocks and start scraping and get some way to reduse nitrates and Phosphates like a phosban reactor, also how long are your lights on and are thay old new or cheap ?

I do have Micro in the fuge.

Lights are new.

Phosban is in consideration.

Cheers,

[lrg]

Margarita snails are usually from colder waters and will not last long.
Yes your algae problem is most likely related to the age of your tank.
You need some Turbo snails. My tank seems to be past the algae stage so if you want some tropical snails mine would love to move to your tank I am sure (free of course)


Cheers for that - I just checked with the wife (who kindly bought the snails because she didn't like the look of the algae!) 4 of the large ones are turbo - the smaller ones are marg.

[lrg]

I immediately thought that perhaps your tank hasn't cycled yet? But it looks as if you are setting up a new tank from an existing tank, and not knowing how big the new tank is I would guess that after three weeks and only two pieces of LR being added that your biological filtration isn't where it should be.

But, I've fought and continue to do so the diatoms and algae almost weekly.

someone with more experience will chime in I'm sure, but I do believe you will have another cycle once you move your old sand bed into the new system depending on how long it's been sitting in your old tank.

My sand bed was live - I agree though it probably is part of growing pains.

[Big_Pun]

thats just new tank syndrome, your cycling is all, the algae on the glass is part of it just keep doing what your doing if you can add more live rock, also your fuge looks cramp do you have room to add macro, i have some you can have full of pods and other good creatures that will help with the cycle as the tank matures more good bacteria will grow pods will multiply and one day its all over and the tank is clear. if you cant add macro to the bottom fuge look into a hang on back.

[Paul28]

Sounds like your going half to wait it out , but the suck part is that you introduced hair alge to the tank when nitrates are spiking while it is cycling hope you nip the hair alge new or old tank thats stuff will grow like mad

[lrg]

Octopus skimmers tend to operate better with around 10" of water. How deep is your skimmer sitting now?


It may be a little more than that - not much though - I'll check tonight tnx.,

[lrg]

thats just new tank syndrome, your cycling is all, the algae on the glass is part of it just keep doing what your doing if you can add more live rock, also your fuge looks cramp do you have room to add macro, i have some you can have full of pods and other good creatures that will help with the cycle as the tank matures more good bacteria will grow pods will multiply and one day its all over and the tank is clear. if you cant add macro to the bottom fuge look into a hang on back.


I have macro also fiji mud and sand bed -

This is the fuge layout - ignore the path of the skimmer outflow - it now goes into the return area.

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo48/S60R_bucket/Fuge.gif

- Your right though - it still may be a little cramped!

[lrg]

Sounds like your going half to wait it out , but the suck part is that you introduced hair alge to the tank when nitrates are spiking while it is cycling hope you nip the hair alge new or old tank thats stuff will grow like mad


Yuppers. Growing pains !!

[Big_Pun]

looks good, its not that bad i use a 29 g with only like 1\3 as a fuge bare bottom only have cheato in there, time to sit and wait, this parts blows because it seems like its out of control, how much total lbs of live rock do you have. are you using ro/di water

nice drawing of the fuge lol

[lrg]

looks good, its not that bad i use a 29 g with only like 1\3 as a fuge bare bottom only have cheato in there, time to sit and wait, this parts blows because it seems like its out of control, how much total lbs of live rock do you have. are you using ro/di water

nice drawing of the fuge lol

Yes to using RODI - (Check out my tank thread and leak episode!)

Live rock - probly 16 lbs plus another 30 lbs of rock that used to be live, dried out then is back in the tank.

[Big_Pun]

dang thats why i keep mine in the garage, everything thing your doing sounds good just gotta wait it out, took like a month to cycle my 3 gallon pico thats counting from when the ugly brown algae started showing up.

[Paul28]

Try to get rid of the hair tho before it takes off scrape it off if i was you new tank old tank that stuff is added not part of cycle

[lrg]

Try to get rid of the hair tho before it takes off scrape it off if i was you new tank old tank that stuff is added not part of cycle


_ I'm working on that!

Could the fact the old live rock dried out be part of the problem of the particles in the water?

[ballardjr2000]

I know I will get jumped on for saying this, I used to have a problem with hair alge Now i use a uv sterilizer a skimmer, fudge, and LOTS of live rock. but usally the problem is just tank "life cycle" to say the brown comes in the green then after work all clears out.

[Big_Pun]

I know I will get jumped on for saying this, I used to have a problem with hair alge Now i use a uv sterilizer a skimmer, fudge, and LOTS of live rock. but usally the problem is just tank "life cycle" to say the brown comes in the green then after work all clears out.

thats pretty much it, all the tanks ive started have had that tiny hair algae stuff as parms settle the levels will go down to a point that it stops growing, but have a good diverse clean up crew also neon blue leg hermits are good for hair, other hermits for left overs, diff types snails

[Europhyllia]

I know I will get jumped on for saying this, I used to have a problem with hair alge Now i use a uv sterilizer a skimmer, fudge, and LOTS of live rock. but usally the problem is just tank "life cycle" to say the brown comes in the green then after work all clears out.
Ballard what are you thinking?!
Just kidding.
I agree with you.
I don't do the UV thing but I run a media reactor. I feed as much as ever and the GHA is disappearing anyway. I am sure the media reactor has something to do with it but it also falls right in line with the tank time table.

[ballardjr2000]

Yeah the UV thing what was I thinking lol I had it sitting and collecting dust, so I fired it back up. UV's will ZAP everything good and bad. Good large clean up crew good filter system and like i do WATCH MY TANK LIKE A HAWK.

[Paul28]

Yeh i love my UV wouldent run with out it :)

[lrg]

thats pretty much it, all the tanks ive started have had that tiny hair algae stuff as parms settle the levels will go down to a point that it stops growing, but have a good diverse clean up crew also neon blue leg hermits are good for hair, other hermits for left overs, diff types snails


Just got a Neon Blue Leg - crazy looking critter!

[lrg]

Just FYI My skimmer is in exactly 8" of water - I am able to adjust this level.

Would it be worth running 2 skimmers?

Another freakin leak last night....my old tank that I'm trying shut down....tripped the breaker...the new tank has anti-siphon holes...the old ono such luck. UUURRRGGGHHHHHHH :mad: :bareteeth: :cry_smile:

[Big_Pun]

no need for 2 skimmers, there is nothing you can do to make the cycle go faster system will adjust itself, go buy some chemipure elite, Gabes usually has some in stock

[Kristy]

Hi Luke,
That is really not a lot of live rock. The live rock provides biological filtration for your tank and is important because it reduces nitrates naturally. Having more will very much improve your water conditions. Individual tastes vary a bit, but most recommend around a pound per gallon. I like having a more spaceous look to my rockwork with lots of openings, so I load up on live rock in the sump or fuge to maintain that benefit.

Also, you have to be careful to add live rock that is fully cycled or you will just reintroduce new tank ammonia cycling. You could use the old tank that you are trying to shut down to cycle any new live rock that you aquire (especially if you get it from a LFS) and gradually add it to the display tank after the levels test where they should be: 0 ammonia and 0 nitirite. (Most live rock will have some die off unless you have bought it directly from another reefer's tank, which is incidentally, often the cheapest / safest / most beneficial way to buy it also).

One last thought: any chance that the particles in your water could be microbubbles? It is very common when you set up new plumbing, new sump, or new skimmer to get microbubbles. Then you have to tweak things until you figure out how to reduce them. Our skimmer (also an Octopus) gives us microbubbles like crazy until it is fully "broken in," meaning until it has established a thin layer of skimmate coating the surfaces. We have to be careful not to clean it too thoroughly or we will re-introduce the microbubbles for 2 - 3 days until it breaks in again.

[lrg]

GM Kristy;

I checked the water to see if it was micro bubbles as I used to have that problem when the skimmer was settling in - its actual small particles of sand it looks like. - The sand bed is the usual live sand aragonite type size.

Interesting point re not cleaning too thoroughly- does this include the collection cup and neck?

Because of the original micro bubbles with the skimmer I made a bubble trap to stop them.

I do have live rock in the return area of the sump I'm wondering if this rock is breaking down resulting in the particles getting back to the tank?

- I didn't add my sump rock into the equation - it is the same rock that was once live but dried out - its been in there coming up 4 weeks now. Probably about another 15-20 lbs.

I do need to find some 'less expensive' rock - $7.99 a lb is too much for me!

[Jordan N.]

Try phenomenal aquatics off of eckhert and bandera. I was there earlier today and they had rock for about 2.99 a pound. I don't really recommend their fish --but the rock is cheap.

-Jordan N.

[Big_Pun]

Try phenomenal aquatics off of eckhert and bandera. I was there earlier today and they had rock for about 2.99 a pound. I don't really recommend their fish --but the rock is cheap.

-Jordan N.

don't bash stores, not cool, we r suppose to support or LFS, I have a couple fish I bought a couple weeks ago good prices and they are healthy and doing great

[Europhyllia]

I have shrimp, snails and a coco worm from there and they are doing well too.

[Jordan N.]

don't bash stores, not cool, we r suppose to support or LFS, I have a couple fish I bought a couple weeks ago good prices and they are healthy and doing great

I guess, I'm just giving out my honest opinion --the two times I've been there the fish looked just ok. It's not like I'm slamming the place --they have the best selection of rocks and inverts in town. I've recommended the place to two different people on here. Glad to hear your fish are doing well. *shug*

-Jordan N.

[Salty]

Ed does have an epic rock selection. His setup might not be as elaborate(expensive) as others for display, but the fish are definately healthy. Anthias and fire shrimp were out and about in no time.