Trickle filter and algae?

[molly]

Hi-
I have a lot of reddish brown algae on my trickle filter. The water going back into the tank flows over the algae. Is this OK or should the algae be cleaned off more regularly? I clean it completely about every two weeks.
For the past week I have noticed that my nitrites have gone up a bit, to .1 for a day and then come back down. Ammonia is O and nitrates are 5. Could my filter have anything to do with it? I am using a prizm skimmer and thirty pounds of live rock in a 29G. Three fish (2 clowns and a cardinal) and some inverts so far.
Thanks!
Molly

 

[david s]

it could be a few things i searched for some ways to lower it if its just a little algie on skimmer i doubt it but u never know probubly somthin else how long has tank been setup and are u useing tap water hoiw deep is sand bed ?? look at these 2 articles may give u some clues
<a href="https://www.saltwaterfish.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001402" target="_blank">https://www.saltwaterfish.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001402</a>
<a href="https://www.saltwaterfish.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000795" target="_blank">https://www.saltwaterfish.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=000795</a>

 

[molly]

Hi-
I will read them immediately. Why can I never find good reading material about my specific weird problems?
The tank has been up for almost 5 months. What I can't figure out is why it goes up and down. It was fine last night but who knows today. The strangest thing, I think, is my ammonia is -always- 0. Has been 0 for months and my nitrates have never been over 10, they have been at 5 for months, too. I don't think it is the test because my Q tank is always at 0 for all tests.
I use tap water with dechlorinator and no algae bloom and, as I said, no high nitrates. I also have CC and not sand.
I feel like some higher power recognizes my paranoia and is having fun.
All of my inverts seem fine, no behavioral fluctuations with the nitrite fluctuations.
Thanks for the help!
Molly

 

[molly]

OK. I looked at the links and I have read these already, but thanks for trying to help.
My problem is nitrites. Nitrates have -never- been a problem. Maybe it is just a fluke?
I've searched this board and the Internet but can't find anything about nitrites being up with all other testing stable.
Thanks again, though!

 

[broomer5]

Hi Molly,
I read and re-read your question and situation here, and it got me thinking.
I had to refer to one of my books - Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook - by Dr. Robert J. Goldstein.
In detailing the nitrogen cycle, and specifically on a cycling tank ( I know - does not apply here in your case ) he writes:
Quote:
"Once cycled, large fluctuations in feeding and livestock populations should be avoided as they can promote overgrowth by other bacteria that displace the nitrifiers, allowing a buildup of nitrites to harmful concentrations ( >0.1 mg/l ) - faster than the bacteria can metabolize these nitrites to harmless nitrates."
End Quote.
I am not suggesting that this describes your situation at all, only that if for some odd reason, your tanks population of ammonia and nitrite converting bacteria is a little whacky, like unbalanced - then it may explain why you measure nitrites "sometimes" and other times you don't.
They may be able to convert much of the ammonia to nitrite very efficiently, but the nitrite converting bacterial are not doing so regularly, or if they are, not as efficiently.
Still not a lot of help - I know - but ya never know with these "unexplainables"
Sounds like a nicely set up tank, good bioload to water capacity and live rock, and it is very strange indeed.
I also liked how you compared your main tank test kit readings to your Q tank.
Very smart.
See ya,

 

[molly]

Wow! I really appreciate you going to all of that effort for me.
I think maybe some of this could be explained by overfeeding. When I introduced my Cardinal into the main tank from the Q tank he had a bit of trouble getting his share of the food from the clownfish. So I know I overfed a little bit in order to get him going ( he is holding his own now ). That was a couple of weeks ago so maybe things will settle down soon.
Thanks again for the help, guys!
Molly