Biocube 14 - Microbubble Problem

newreefer

newreefer

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Feb 15, 2008
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I'm new to SW and reefs. The return seems to be spraying out a lot of little bubbles. The tank is 2 weeks old. I've removed the filter, bioballs and sponge. I added some LRR in Chbr #2 and a Hydor Koralia Nano in DT. No mods.

Tank is cycling. There's a lot of brown algae all over rocks, sand and glass. It did have small bubbles, but wouldn't think this to be the cause.

Water level in pump Chamber is above Max Line. Just for completeness here's my params; Temp 77-79, PH 8.3-8.4, SG close to 1.026 (seems high), Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0 and Nitrates 5-10.

Any ideas how to resolve? :help: Thanks.
 
The brown algae are diatoms and perfectly normal in a new tank. If the algae has bubbles they would be gas pockets. The SG isn't too high, it is actually what natural seawater is. The issue you have seems to be equipment related to the biocube itself and seeing that I don't have one I can't be much help there. Someone is sure to come along soon though.
 
I agree that my equipment probably needs some adjustment. Hopefully someone with BC14 will be able to give some hints. Think it could be a loose fitting on return? Did a top-off to see if that helps.

Thanks for the info on the diatoms. This is my first SW cycle, so I'm not sure what to expect. I knew there'd be a bloom, but this was bigger than I expected.

For the algae, should I do anything - or just let it continue the cycle and disappear? Here's my options:

1. I'm running lights normal hrs (10000k 10 hrs and Actinic 8 hrs). Should I cut back the time during cycle?
2. Manually pull some of the algae off the rocks? Since I don't have a filter or sponge, I'm afraid this'll make a big mess? Will this eventually just die off and disappear?
3. Get a CUC? I've heard anywhere from a week to a month to add the crew. I'd probably start with snails only - not sure about crabs and shrimps.
4. Do a big water change. My Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrates are all about 0 (retested Nitrates today and they look to be zero). I've heard not to do any water changes during cycle.
5. Just leave it alone and let nature take it's course. This is my current course, but very tough!

Thanks again for the response - any info is helpful. Also, advise on the course of action with diatoms - is there a downside to just letting it run it's course?

Here's a current photo of tank with diatoms covering everything:

IMG_1911.JPG
 
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Holy huge diatom bloom Batman !!!!!

newreefer said:
I agree that my equipment probably needs some adjustment. Hopefully someone with BC14 will be able to give some hints. Think it could be a loose fitting on return? Did a top-off to see if that helps.

<< A loose fitting could cause this yes..It could also be trapped air in your return pump >>

Thanks for the info on the diatoms. This is my first SW cycle, so I'm not sure what to expect. I knew there'd be a bloom, but this was bigger than I expected.

<<I have to admit, that is actually a rather large diatom bloom. Dont know if you've said already, but what water are you using? and what type of sand have you used??>>

For the algae, should I do anything - or just let it continue the cycle and disappear? Here's my options:

<<You can syphon some out..Add a pair of panty hoes to the syphon pipe exit orrifice, and syphon some out, and you can return the water back to the tank after you done some syphoning. I would not worry too much about the water going back in the tank, as you'll be doing a 50% water change at the end of the cycle anyway>>

1. I'm running lights normal hrs (10000k 10 hrs and Actinic 8 hrs). Should I cut back the time during cycle?

<<Cut all your lighting back a little..Main lights only really need to be on for 8 hours..As your cycling, you dont actually need them on at all..Could be the reason for the large diatom outbreak>>

2. Manually pull some of the algae off the rocks? Since I don't have a filter or sponge, I'm afraid this'll make a big mess? Will this eventually just die off and disappear?

<<Yes, this will help>>

3. Get a CUC? I've heard anywhere from a week to a month to add the crew. I'd probably start with snails only - not sure about crabs and shrimps.

<<Introduce your cleanup crew once the cycle has finished and they will tackle the diatom algae>>

4. Do a big water change. My Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrates are all about 0 (retested Nitrates today and they look to be zero). I've heard not to do any water changes during cycle.

<<Do the large wter change once your nitrates are down below 10ppm, and stayed this way for a week constant>>

5. Just leave it alone and let nature take it's course. This is my current course, but very tough!

<<Yes, nature does need to be left to do its own thing at times with our tanks>>

Thanks again for the response - any info is helpful. Also, advise on the course of action with diatoms - is there a downside to just letting it run it's course?

<<See comments above about the diatoms, and a suggested course of action>>

Here's a current photo of tank with diatoms covering everything:
Click to expand...


Added some comments above in red, hope this helps...
 
Microbubbles. I determined that my water was low - still need to learn basics, like when to top off. Newbie error - a lot less bubbles.

I too never expected a bloom so large. I have 10+ lbs of "clean" uncured LR plus 3 lbs of cured rock. I have 10 lbs of LS from a bag and another 1-2 lbs from an established tank. SW was purchased from LFS. Top off water is RO from LFS.

My ammonia and nitrites have been zero for a week, but I had rather high Nitrates readings 10 dys ago; 40 to 80! That's the day I added cured LR & LS. Nitrates dropped below 10 ppm 2-3 days ago.

I cleaned the diatoms off front glass off 3 or 4 days ago, and there's been no new growth, so I hope bloom is done. Green algae is starting to grow.

I had a feeling my lights were on too long, and will cut back. Will try the syphon idea too.

When would you add the CUC - now or when cycle completes?

Thanks for the detailed replies - every step is new to me.

Finally, is this what I think it is - glass anemone?

IMG_1926.JPG
 
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Cycle Complete...Next Steps?

Just want to ensure I'm going down the right path. Ammonia/Nitrites have been 0 for 10 dys and Nitrates have been 0 for 5 dys. I believe the cycle is complete. :)

So what's next, should I do a large water change (50%) now or wait a couple more days? Some things I've read said do it during the nitrate spike -too late.

For the new water, besides using saltwater, should both SG and temp be same as tank?

For the diatoms, decided to do it naturally, but slow way - added 2 Trochus and one Nerite snail, plus a Peppermint Shrimp for aiptasia. Is this crew too small? Should I add more? What?

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

The snails have done a lot of damage over the last three days, but still have their work cut out for them. From this:

IMG_1911.JPG


To this (you can see the three workers):

IMG_1993.JPG
 
get blue leag hermad crabs thats what i did i have the same tank as u trust me i worked in 2 weekes its gon
 
what is that thing hanging on the right sid or ur tank it black and the center is blue and what does it do
 
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