reef tank cycle

[cmalandro]

hey guys my tanks been cycling for about 5 weeks now and i noticed that my tank has green algae and hair algae on my rocks. is this part of the cycle? is it normal for something like this to happen? will the algae eventually disappear?

 

[Moneymaks24]

Yea it's normal, get a clean up crew also some hermits n snails etc..

 

[cmalandro]

ok thanks buddy how long will it takes for the algae to disappear?

 

[Nandez13]

ok thanks buddy how long will it takes for the algae to disappear?

This depends on various factors. Remove as much as you can manually. Keep doing regular water changes with RODI. This and your CUC will take care of it.

 

[cmalandro]

aren't you not supposed to do a water change when the tanks cycling? won't it disturb the cycle?

 

[cmalandro]

or would you recommend i do a water change?

 

[Moneymaks24]

After 5 weeks u should be cycles pretty much u can SLOWLY start stocking w a fish n coral just be certain ur cycles try pure ammonia, put a lil bit and within 24 hrs or less u should have 0 readings on ammonia and nitrite and 0 or low nitrates

 

[Nandez13]

aren't you not supposed to do a water change when the tanks cycling? won't it disturb the cycle?

Sorry I misread your first post. I thought you had completed the cycle since it's been 5 weeks. As far as water changes during a cycle: some do, some don't. You can find plenty of arguments supporting either of the two. I didn't when I cycled mine.

How far along in the nitrogen cycle are you? Do try to siphon out as much algae as you can and wait until the cycle is complete before adding the cleanup crew.

 

[cmalandro]

i recently added a percula clown about a week ago caz their pretty hardy fish he's doing great and yesterday i added a cheap star polyp that i got for 20 bucks which seems to be doing fine as well its opening up real nice. btw would u recommend i do a water change today?

 

[cmalandro]

im 5 weeks into the cycle. i tested for nitrate a few days ago and it read 0. I'm confused about that caz doesn't algae usually form with high levels of nitrate?

 

[Moneymaks24]

If u got a fish In there u can start doing weekly 10% WC. Don't worry bout the algae it'll go away just get a clean up crew and maybe cyphon SMALL portions of your sand each WC. Maybe invest in a PHOS reactor to avoid Phosphate build up from feeding etc..

 

[Nandez13]

im 5 weeks into the cycle. i tested for nitrate a few days ago and it read 0. I'm confused about that caz doesn't algae usually form with high levels of nitrate?

If you've tested ammonia/nitrite/nitrate to be 0 then you're done cycling. Both nitrate and phosphate lead to algae. When you test for nitrate, you're testing the parameters of the water column. The algae means that you have excess nutrients and that they are bound in the algae which is why they are not showing up when you test....so remove as much algae as you can.

What test kits are you using? Are you using RODI water?

 

[cmalandro]

i use api test kits and i used distilled water

 

[Moneymaks24]

Invest in a RO/DI unit that shoul be your #1 priority. API test kits r fine for ammonia nitrite nitrate, for phos cal mag alk I would get a better brand test kit, Hannah checker if you can afford is best.

 

[cmalandro]

i do have a phosphate kit that my friend gave me which is salifert brand which works really well. i don't have a cal mag or alk kit tho

 

[Moneymaks24]

U gonna need them. I always forget to test magnesium and alk and it's usually low when I do. Same for calcium but calcium is more of an issue when u start having corals that use it up. Alk is also important mine was dangerously low for months untill I decided to finally test it.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

i do have a phosphate kit that my friend gave me which is salifert brand which works really well. i don't have a cal mag or alk kit tho

No it does not work really well. Just letting you know. The real deal hanna phosphate meter is your best choice for testing phosphates. (not the pocket meter).