algae after 1 week?

[Andy16]

What is up? There has been a HUGE algae bloom in my tank after like only 1 week. There arent any nitrites and the salinity is at the right level, 1.021-1.024. Theres brown algae all over the LR glass and LS. The temp is around 78 if that means anything. Im guessing that nitrates are high but i dont have a test for any of that. I have 2 powerheads and an empty penguin for circulation. For lights i have a 36 watt PC coralife 50/50 bulb and a 15 watt 50 50 flourescent fixture.

[OrionGirl]

If the tank is still cycling, a diatom bloom is pretty normal. Wipe it off the surfaces, and vacuum it out, if you just can't stand it. Otherwise, don't worry about it, and once the cycle is done, add some snails and hermits--they will clean it up for you.

[Guy W]

or cut back your light during cycling if your running it more than 6 hours. not that you need to run it at all during cycling...

[Andy16]

So the hairy stuff and the stuff that looks kind of like a rash(lol) are diatoms?

[OrionGirl]

Maybe, maybe not. Diatoms lok like brown fluff, and wipe away easily. There are many kinds of algae though--and hair algae will certainly take advantage of any available ammonia and light to grow uncontrolled.

Got a pic?

[Andy16]

I have one one on my camera. Im going to the gym right now so i will have to post it when i get home. Ill try and get a few better picutures too.

[Andy16]

Here are some pictures of the algae.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p20f7ca03a8d6258fc4c605d19c616c44/fa0d96a2.jpg


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p562f67348e680efd45cfe22f477ef674/fa0d96b5.jpg


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pa059979da2226935dfab389777e27189/fa0d96bf.jpg

[OrionGirl]

Looks like diatoms to me. There may be a bit of cyano--the redder stuff--but it's hard to tell.

[Andy16]

I found some really red algae on the backside of my tank. Im guessing thats cyano if cyano is red. Ill get a pic tomorrow.

[Andy16]

Here are the pics
there are 3...i am focusing on the red stuff

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pcf93f62e966c22638a79d8a872792c6e/fa077f89.jpg


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p94bb1d9b7b700003c4be23f7c8abec35/fa077f8f.jpg


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pec77769f63611da6b3aa229e56cff083/fa077f91.jpg

[Slappy*McFish]

I agree with Guy, you would have done well to leave the lights off for the duration of the cycle. I would turn them off.

[Andy16]

I made my lights stay on for 6 hours. So far its working good.