Brown Algae Overtaking my tank.

[pesci]

I am having a problem with brown algae and it is overcoming my tank! I have a 75 gallon and the water quality is as follows: Amonia: 0ppm Hardness: 16 degrees dKH pH: 8.3 Phosphate: 0.25 ppm Nitrate is 0, Nitrite is 0.25 ppm. This stuff is growing so fast, if I clean the glass, etc. the next day it has grown back. It is coating my liverock and starting to overtake the mushrooms I have. Pleas :help: e Help!

 

[poniegirl]

How old is your tank? The sand on the rock and absence of fish makes me believe the tank is young?
BTW, it's even pretty with the algae!

 

[pesci]

It is less than a year old, and thanks for the compliments. I have read other posts on here related to algae, but I cannot find a solution. I have as protien skimmer, and am using Chem-Pure, don't know what else to do...

 

[amphibious]

You mentioned a protien skimmer. What else does your filtering system consist of?

 

[poniegirl]

And you have nitrite? That is odd in a year old tank. Nitrite is a bacteria that usually developes while a tank is in its initial cycle. Bacteria then develope that control the nitrite and that is nitrate.
How long has the LR been in the tank? Do you have fish? A cleaning crew? And as asked, what is the filter system other than the skimmer? Powerheads?

 

[amphibious]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
And you have nitrite? That is odd in a year old tank. Nitrite is a bacteria that usually developes while a tank is in its initial cycle. Bacteria then develope that control the nitrite and that is nitrate.
PonieGirl, I'm not sure if you have a misunderstanding of the Nitrogen cycle or you just typed an error.
First, while it might be odd to have Nitrite in a year old tank, it's not impossible. Many factors play a role in having a mini-cycle at any time. That's why we test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, PH, etc, from time to time. We look for changes.
Second, Nitrite is not a bacteria but a waste product of bacteria that have converted Ammonia to Nitrite by way of consumption and processing. A second species of bacteria then consume the Nitrite and produce their by product Nitrate. These bacteria are species that require aerobic (oxygen rich) conditions to thrive. The bacteria that convert Nitrite to Nitrate are anaerobic and need oxygen void conditions to thrive and do there miracle.
Hope this helps.
----

 

[poniegirl]

No misunderstanding or typo. It is all bacteria. There is nitrobacteria and denitrifying bacteria, etc..I agree that it is a miracle. It was a simplified rundown to be sure.

 

[amphibious]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
No misunderstanding or typo. It is all bacteria. There is nitrobacteria and denitrifying bacteria, etc..I agree that it is a miracle. It was a simplified rundown to be sure.
PonieGirl,
You state, "Nitrite is a bacteria...". I believe you are getting your terminology mixed up.
Nitrite is nitrus acid not bacteria. A bacteria species, Nitrosomonas, converts (metabolizes) Ammonia to Nitrite. A second species of bacteria, Nitrobacter converts (metabolizes) Nitrite to Nitrate. The bacteria invloved in Nitrification are aerobic (oxygen dependant).
Nitrate accumulates and can get to toxic levels. Normal Nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter do not convert Nitrate. In order to eliminate Nitrate we actually reverse the process of Nitrification to Denitification by reversing the biological process by providing Anaerobic (the absence of oxygen) conditions for this purpose. Anaerobic bacteria actually reverse the cycle, under anaerobic conditions, converting the Nitrate back to Nitrite and finally into Nitrogen gas which is realeased into the atmosphere. This is accomplished quite easily utilizing a deep sand bed (DSB).
Rich

 

[poniegirl]

I stand corrected, I believe.
So, in what case would a year old tank produce nitrus acid? An excess of oxygen?
And so, pesci,
How long has the LR been in the tank? Do you have fish? A cleaning crew? And as asked, what is the filter system other than the skimmer? Powerheads? How often do you do water changes?

 

[amphibious]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
I stand corrected, I believe.
So, in what case would a year old tank produce nitrus acid? An excess of oxygen?
Let's first go back to basics and call it Nitrite, which is more familiar to everyone. Nitrite, preceded by Ammonia, occurs continuously in our system. Usually, the population of Nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, is at peak levels and keep Ammonia and Nitrite at levels our test kits read as zero. In actuality, if we had sensitive scientific instruments we'd detect miniscule amounts of both because in their normal life cycle our critters are constantly producing it through metabolism. Also, our pod life is constantly eating left over food particules and doing their thing. When pods die they add to it. In general, life goes on a continuous cycle. The Nitrogen "cycle" is just part of the larger "life cycle". Does that make sense? :notsure:
So, what happened in pesci's tank? Can't say for sure but, I suspect several things possible. A death, uneaten food or the most likely, the hobby test kits on the market, for the most part are very inaccurate. Some should not be purchased their so bad. The test sample is so small and the chemicals used for detection are so sensitive that a small error in any step could throw off the true reading. I, and many others, swear by Salifert brands for the best results in a hobbyist level kit. If you are willing to spend a little more money, LaMotte brand kits are the best.
Now, just a word about being corrected. Please, do not feel slighted in any way. Way back in my saltwater beginning (more than 35 years ago) the Nitrogen cycle was not clearly understood and the terminology was Greek to me. I went years not understanding it and therefore wasn't able to explain it in a clear fashion. Like you, I tried to do the best I could. Then a "new" book came out by Stephen Spotte, I don't even remember the title but, I'm sure it's around here somewhere. It explained the cycle in layman terminology and like a lightening bolt it became clear. I hope you have just had that clarity happen to you.
Best wishes and happy reefing.
Rich

 

[poniegirl]

Originally Posted by Amphibious
Let's first go back to basics and call it Nitrite, which is more familiar to everyone.
So, what happened in pesci's tank? Can't say for sure but, I suspect several things possible.
Now, just a word about being corrected.
Best wishes and happy reefing.
Rich
Please.
pesci, are you there and how is your tank?