Upgraded my lighting and now theres algea everywhere.

[playtime]

Well, here's the problem. I just added more lighting. I went from 15wt. smartlight to a 65 wt smartlight for my 32gal reef. Now, there is algea everywhere. I cleaned the glass and within 4 days, its covered with brown algea YUK!!! I bought a lawnmower blenny and a bicolor blenny but they aren't getting all of it. I also have turbo snails. Anyone got any ideas what I can do. I turn the lights on at 10am and off at 8pm.
playtime

 

[strinalsh]

Hi Playtime,
What's your phosphate level?

 

[playtime]

Haven't tested phosphate level. He is the list of other levels: salinity 1.025, temp 80, amonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 0, ph 8.3
everything seems to be in check with the exception of the algea. I switched tanks about a week and 1/2 ago. my reef was the 25 gal and I switched it to the 32gal and added more lighting. I am thinking that it may have gone through a mini cycle due to the change but it should have cleared up by now since the levels are fine.
Playtime

 

[strinalsh]

Playtime,
The biggest factor in unwanted algae growth are high Nitrates, Phosphates, to much lighting, silicate and carbon dioxide.
Control of brown diatom algae is relatively easy.
The first thing to do is to get some Trochus or Astraea snails that eagerly consume the brown diatom film. There are other snails that will clean the glass such as Nerite and Strombus snails, but Trochus and Astraea snails are the brown diatom cleaner workhorses.
The second thing to do is to perform regular water changes to remove any excess nutrients and silicates from the water.( i know this is a drag!)
The third thing to do is to have an effective protein skimmer to help with the nutrient removal.
The fourth thing to do is to cut down light intensity or duration.
Hope this helps!

 

[bassmaster]

Hey. Heard about your problem.
I was just going to say, how do you have so much algae?
I have a 20 gallon tank with 2, count 'em2 55 watt lights. And here's the problem, I don't have hardly any algae. Sure I have a little hair algae, a little brown, and quite a bit of this purple stuff that's growing on the glass, but I still don't have very much.
So my point is, it's not always your lights. Do more tests and get more snails. That's what I'd do.

 

[mr . salty]

Algae blooms almost always happen after a lighting upgrade.You should cut down on the time your lights are on after such an upgrade.Then after a week or two slowly increase the photo period till it's back where it was...

 

[playtime]

Thanks everyone. I was hoping that it was just the lighting. All levels are fine and I didn't have algea when it was in the 25 gal tank. I will get more snails though because I did loose some it the move. Thanks again
Playtime

 

[@knight]

heres a third agreement with mr. salty. although after my lighting upgrade, i cut back about 2 hrs on the time and it cycled through in about 3 weeks. My hermits took care of the rest.
i dont think its a phospate issue, frequent water changes may help also.
[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: @knight ]

 

[sonny]

I agree with Mr. Salty, but I think you need to let the tank stabilize its self. Give it 3 or 4 weeks. Reduce the time for the lights, and gradually increase them after the algae decreases. That's a big increase in light level, so give it some time.
Sonny

 

[nm reef]

Six weeks or so ago I added 2x110 watt vho to my 4x65 watt pc........limited time on intially then increased gradually each week to present periods(vho-7:00am-7:00pm...pc-6:00am-6:00pm).....did have my first ever algae bloom but wasn't all that major and is back under control now(new refugium&caulpera may have helped)....thing is to go slow whenn upgradeing lights to prevent any potential problems............

 

[mr . salty]

I am just getting over a somewhat major bloom that started by just replacing the bulbs over my tank.No increase in power,just new bulbs...Hope yours clears up soon.GOOD LUCK...
[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: MR . SALTY ]

 

[robster]

hi
my 2c is it was your lights and maybe a mini cycle from changing tanks ive had this happen from chaging lights and that is the only time i buy snails ive found that i donot need them and hav'nt had any snails for almost a year now .the only algea that grows in my tank is what i put there i do contibute this succes to a refugium and of course ro/di water.it should clear up!