Algae Problem During Cycling Period

[xjiahua]

is this the supposed diatoms & hair algae i should be getting (day 11) ? should i give the tank walls a good scrub and remove any excessive algae hair or simply just let it 'self destruct' until the cycling ends ?

[gargamelron]

IMO i think you shld do a partial water change

then try to reduce the lighting during the cycle

[xjiahua]

is it possible to do a blackout period for marine tank ? meaning no lights covered up tank to stop the algae for the moment for 1-2days. will it affect the cycling period ?

[tunicate]

It's ok to cycle without lights, but you still need to provide good ventilation for O2 exchange.

[xjiahua]

thanks for the advice ! gotten 3 turbo snails to aid in the algae (i must say they're damn hardworking) alongside with a blackout.

will the blackout be detrimental to liverocks or even the snails ? any recommended period of time?

[tunicate]

As your tank go thru' cycling, your ammonia & nitrite level will spike. I'm actually more concern about whether the snails can take these spikes rather than the lights. I hope they make it.

[xjiahua]

As your tank go thru' cycling, your ammonia & nitrite level will spike. I'm actually more concern about whether the snails can take these spikes rather than the lights. I hope they make it.

my last reading of test 2 days back was NH3 - 0 & N02 - <0.3mg/l. hopefully it stays this way. just concern if there is any case of the lights off killing any possible living matter on the liverocks and thus worsening the cycle ?

[CFOh]

my last reading of test 2 days back was NH3 - 0 & N02 - <0.3mg/l. hopefully it stays this way. just concern if there is any case of the lights off killing any possible living matter on the liverocks and thus worsening the cycle ?

Where did u get yr sand and LR? Only 11 days? The algae bloom very fast!? Try maintain yr tank temperature cooler...

Did u dose bacteria or dead seafood? Normally NH3 & NO2 expected high at the beginning due to decomposition... Probably, measured NO2 together, you shld see trend as showns in animated pics below:

Click on pics below for Nitrogen Cycle Animation...

Cheers.

[xjiahua]

Liverocks are from a kind-hearted bro here, Jireh Marine & Iwarna

Sand i'm using Nature Ocean Hawaiian Puka

Day 14 (today) readings are:

Ammonia 0

Nitrite <0.3mg/l

Nitrate 12.5mg/l

the algae boom started when one of my timer went dead when it was on for 12hours before i came back.

[CFOh]

Liverocks are from a kind-hearted bro here, Jireh Marine & Iwarna

Sand i'm using Nature Ocean Hawaiian Puka

Day 14 (today) readings are:

Ammonia 0

Nitrite <0.3mg/l

Nitrate 12.5mg/l

the algae boom started when one of my timer went dead when it was on for 12hours before i came back.

Hi, continue monitor above parameter and siphon algae manually during WC.. Close monitor yr Nitrite until 0ppm, normally it fluctuating first few weeks b4 stabilize.. No stocking for the moment... Shld be fine.. Cheers..

[xjiahua]

thanks for the advice! the blackout is doing good alongside with the diligent turbo snail working hard on the algae.