New lighting, then huge brown algea problem

[dchec2100]

I've had my 55g FOWLR tank up for about 8 months now, and two weeks ago switched from normal output lighting to T5s (432 watts total). Now, I also had been neglecting my water changes (I know, I know), so my nitrates were pretty high (ammonia was at 0 though). Doing daily water changes to bring this down. In the mean time, brown hair algea has exploded all over my tank. I'm using RO water.
I've read on here that young tanks experience a diatom bloom just after a cycle. I never did, so could my upgraded lighting have kicked that? Could it be the nitrates?
Thanks for any help. I'm open to any suggestions / advice.
Dan

 

[saltn00b]

i think it is just diatoms from a new tank and new lighting. usually tanks will have to adjust to this in some way. diatoms will dissappear in a few weeks. trates have nothing to do with it, but you should do WC's to fix it.

 

[dchec2100]

Originally Posted by saltn00b
i think it is just diatoms from a new tank and new lighting. usually tanks will have to adjust to this in some way. diatoms will dissappear in a few weeks. trates have nothing to do with it, but you should do WC's to fix it.
I hope you're right, and it clears on its own.... OH, forgot to mention. At the same time this was happening, I started getting TONS of bubbles everywhere... on the algea that's on the glass, in the sandbed (I can see them where the sand meets the glass on the facing side of the tank)... just all over. Not sure what's causing this either.

 

[michaeltx]

a jump in lighting will always cause algae blooms. Your tank is still in the stabilization stages until it hits about a year so any changes that happen will cause an outbreak.
What type of water are you useing also it can greatly affect algae blooms. also compared to the other lights have you changed your lighting duration?
Mike

 

[dchec2100]

Originally Posted by MichaelTX
a jump in lighting will always cause algae blooms. Your tank is still in the stabilization stages until it hits about a year so any changes that happen will cause an outbreak.
What type of water are you useing also it can greatly affect algae blooms. also compared to the other lights have you changed your lighting duration?
Mike
I'm still doing 12 hours total of lighting, as I was with normal output.
For now using RO water from walmart (green 1 gallon jugs) until I get my own RO unit up and running.

 

[michaeltx]

I would cut back on the lighting a bit it will help slow the growth. The air bubbles you are seeing is more than likely a by product of the algae growing and will subside as the algae goes. I would get an RO/DI unit asap because I dont trust the water from walmart you are trusting them to change the filters in their production plant and most do not change them when they are needed.
Mike

 

[dchec2100]

Originally Posted by MichaelTX
I would cut back on the lighting a bit it will help slow the growth. The air bubbles you are seeing is more than likely a by product of the algae growing and will subside as the algae goes. I would get an RO/DI unit asap because I dont trust the water from walmart you are trusting them to change the filters in their production plant and most do not change them when they are needed.
Mike
Do you know of any good RO/DI units that don't require you to change around your plumming? I live in an apartment complex, so that way is not an option.

 

[michaeltx]

you can get sink adapters from most RO/DI manufactures and companies that sell them that allow you to hook them up to a garden hose or to a sink faucet. I have a airwaterice untit that is a dual home/reef unit with drinking water and a Di outlet. You can also ask you apartment complex if installing one under the sink is a problem The only connections to a unit is a needle vavle hooked to the water line ( or a new brass valve that goes inline right after the shut off valve. and a small hole drilled into the drain line both applications are easy to put back so there are no leaks and is as good as new with no problems.
Mike

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by dchec2100
Do you know of any good RO/DI units that don't require you to change around your plumming? I live in an apartment complex, so that way is not an option.
usually all ro/di units come with hose adapter, but you could probably request a faucet attachment from the retailer isntead....or you can just change the adapter your self if you buy one at home depot.. any 4 stage ro/di will do the job..

 

[aztec reef]

keep up with those water changes and make sure you have at least 15x turnover rate (flow) and just ride it out! also a good cleaning crew will help alot.
all of this algea bloom is normal for a new tank and the lights just multiply it. but they're not the main cause..