Day 5 fishless cycle-algae

Fishnoob78 · 11-18-2005, 06:57 PM

Today is day 5 of my fishless cycle of my 46 gallon bowfront and when I woke up this morning there was algae on the tallest rock and some on the sand. Not much, very little but enough to notice right away.

Is this normal?

My water temp is around mid 80's.

Ammonia about 6-7 ppm

Nitrites are zero.

I've been using Eco Start by Kent since day 1 of the cycle to help establish bological filtration but haven't used any today.

thanks for any input

fishfreaks · 11-18-2005, 07:59 PM

is it brown algae? if so that is common in newly setup aquariums

shev · 11-18-2005, 08:16 PM

reduce your ammount of ammonia.

**Damon** · 11-19-2005, 12:37 AM

Yes algae is common in new setups, whether it be brown algae, hair algae, green spot or whatever. Algae is unavoidable in fishtanks, no matter how hard you try. In new setups, algae may bloom because your tank is unbalanced. Its normal and once the tank settles, it will start to disappear. Depending on the type, you may need to remove as much as possible as some are more resistant than others. Can you describe it?

Alin10123 · 11-21-2005, 11:48 PM

Are you turning your lights on and off as if you had fish in it? Too much lighting can cause algae to grow like crazy.

Fishnoob78 · 11-22-2005, 01:43 PM

The algae is green. And yes I am turning the lights off and on.

I also make sure that no sunlight shines on the tank.

The tank started showing nitrites a few days ago. Other then the alage everything is going good.

**Damon** · 11-22-2005, 09:56 PM

Is the water green colored or is the algae growin on something (ie tank walls in spots or substrate or decorations).

Fishnoob78 · 11-22-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpte

Is the water green colored or is the algae growin on something (ie tank walls in spots or substrate or decorations).

The water is crystal clear.

There is alage on the top of the largest rock, you can see some starting to form on the sand itself, about 5% of the sand and there are a few small spots on the glass.

I cleaned what was on the glass.

**Damon** · 11-23-2005, 09:04 AM

The algae on the glass is what is commonly know as green spot algae. All tanks will have a little. The algae on the rocks is common and all tanks will have a little also. Sounds like your tank is doing well. Just keep up with the maintenance and you will be happy

Good luck!

Fishnoob78 · 11-23-2005, 03:51 PM

Well I jinxed myself by saying that my water was clear.

I noticed a few hours ago when i got home that its a little clody.

I dont have a clue why, all i did was add ammonia this morning and clean the alage last night. The tank was clear this morning so i dont think cleaning some of the alage had anything to do with it.

Fishnoob78 · 11-23-2005, 08:11 PM

Well i'm still trying to figure out why my tank is a little cloudy. You have to look at it from the side, looking down the length of the tank to really notice it.

The only thing I can think of is for the last few days ive been using ammonia that i had in a coffe can and maybe it's reacting with the metal in the can. The bottom of the can does look a little dark.

I put some ammonia in a coffe can because it just made it easier for me to measure out the desired amount.

think that could be it?

RockabillyChick · 11-23-2005, 08:46 PM

ammonia does react with metal. i would put it in a plastic container. i dont know if it will hurt the fish when you add them though.

Fishnoob78 · 11-23-2005, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockabillyChick

ammonia does react with metal. i would put it in a plastic container. i dont know if it will hurt the fish when you add them though.

I hope not, that would mean basically draining the tank, cleaning and starting over. I really dont need that right now.

I just tested the water for ammonia and it shows 0 and my nitrites 1-2ppm (Ihave trouble telling i'm color blind)

Its been a few hours since my last post and it looks as if the water has cleared up for the most part.

It took about 2 weeks since I started adding ammonia for the nitrites to kick into action. Does that sound about right?

fishfreaks · 11-23-2005, 10:47 PM

If its a white cloudyness its common with newly setup tanks and cycling/mini cycling

Fishnoob78 · 12-03-2005, 01:51 PM

The tank has been doing well and nitrites are almost gone. However the largest (tallest) rock with algae on it has bubbles on the rock. Is this normal and what is it?

**TheOldSalt** · 12-05-2005, 03:59 AM

Hooboy.

Okay, first the bubbles. What kind of rock is it? If it's porus, it could just be bubbles escaping from inside it. If the bubbles are on the algae, then the algae is probably producing them.

6-7 ammonia? YIKES. Too high; that much will stunt your bacteria more than feed it, but it does explain your having algae this soon. Don't get rid of the algae yet. It's possibly the only reason your bacteria are still alive. Once the nutrients have been used up sufficiently the algal growth rate will decrease, and then you can remove it with minimal grow-back.

The water always turns cloudy in a new tank. The bacteria population grows so much that you can actually see it. It clears up in a few days.

Fraser · 12-06-2005, 01:21 AM

lol i leave my community tank's light on all the time

I guess having 2 plecs in the one tank sorta counters the algae issue quite well, topped off by a few fish which like a little vegetation now and again

When I setup my new 190L tank which arrives on wednesday should I keep the light on all the time, off all the time or partially off and partially on

? The setup will be for malawi cichlids with coral sand & plenty of tufa rock.

fishfreaks · 12-06-2005, 02:00 AM

You really shouldnt leave the lights on all the time. Fish do need their "sleeping" period as well

**TheOldSalt** · 12-06-2005, 09:19 AM

A fishtank is NOT a night-light!!! You are killing your fish.

11-18-2005, 06:57 PM	#1
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	Day 5 fishless cycle-algae Today is day 5 of my fishless cycle of my 46 gallon bowfront and when I woke up this morning there was algae on the tallest rock and some on the sand. Not much, very little but enough to notice right away. Is this normal? My water temp is around mid 80's. Ammonia about 6-7 ppm Nitrites are zero. I've been using Eco Start by Kent since day 1 of the cycle to help establish bological filtration but haven't used any today. thanks for any input

11-18-2005, 07:59 PM	#2
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	is it brown algae? if so that is common in newly setup aquariums __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

11-19-2005, 12:37 AM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Yes algae is common in new setups, whether it be brown algae, hair algae, green spot or whatever. Algae is unavoidable in fishtanks, no matter how hard you try. In new setups, algae may bloom because your tank is unbalanced. Its normal and once the tank settles, it will start to disappear. Depending on the type, you may need to remove as much as possible as some are more resistant than others. Can you describe it? __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-21-2005, 11:48 PM	#5
Alin10123 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 524	Are you turning your lights on and off as if you had fish in it? Too much lighting can cause algae to grow like crazy. __________________ 29 Gallon tank ~6 Long Finned Black Tetras ~3 Bosemani Rainbows ~10 Serpae Tetras 55 Gallon tank - Planted ~2 Pearl Gouramis ~2 Platys ~16 Neon Tetras ~6 Glo Light Tetras

11-22-2005, 09:56 PM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Is the water green colored or is the algae growin on something (ie tank walls in spots or substrate or decorations). __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

Members currently in the Chat:0
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11-18-2005, 08:16 PM	#3
shev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montana Age: 19 Posts: 1,561	reduce your ammount of ammonia.

11-22-2005, 01:43 PM	#6
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	The algae is green. And yes I am turning the lights off and on. I also make sure that no sunlight shines on the tank. The tank started showing nitrites a few days ago. Other then the alage everything is going good.

11-23-2005, 09:04 AM	#9
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	The algae on the glass is what is commonly know as green spot algae. All tanks will have a little. The algae on the rocks is common and all tanks will have a little also. Sounds like your tank is doing well. Just keep up with the maintenance and you will be happy Good luck! __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-23-2005, 03:51 PM	#10
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	Well I jinxed myself by saying that my water was clear. I noticed a few hours ago when i got home that its a little clody. I dont have a clue why, all i did was add ammonia this morning and clean the alage last night. The tank was clear this morning so i dont think cleaning some of the alage had anything to do with it.

11-23-2005, 08:11 PM	#11
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	Well i'm still trying to figure out why my tank is a little cloudy. You have to look at it from the side, looking down the length of the tank to really notice it. The only thing I can think of is for the last few days ive been using ammonia that i had in a coffe can and maybe it's reacting with the metal in the can. The bottom of the can does look a little dark. I put some ammonia in a coffe can because it just made it easier for me to measure out the desired amount. think that could be it?

11-23-2005, 08:46 PM	#12
RockabillyChick Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 23 Posts: 298	ammonia does react with metal. i would put it in a plastic container. i dont know if it will hurt the fish when you add them though. __________________ She does nothing to deserve it He only wants to observe it We sit back like they taught us We keep quiet like they taught us He just wants, he wants to prove it She does nothing to remove it We don't want anyone to mind us So we play the roles that they assigned us She does nothing to conceal it He touches her 'cause he wants to feel it We blame her for being there But we are all guilty http://rockabillychick.deviantart.com/

11-23-2005, 10:47 PM	#14
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	If its a white cloudyness its common with newly setup tanks and cycling/mini cycling __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

12-03-2005, 01:51 PM	#15
Fishnoob78 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 30 Posts: 92	The tank has been doing well and nitrites are almost gone. However the largest (tallest) rock with algae on it has bubbles on the rock. Is this normal and what is it?

12-05-2005, 03:59 AM	#16
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,355	Hooboy. Okay, first the bubbles. What kind of rock is it? If it's porus, it could just be bubbles escaping from inside it. If the bubbles are on the algae, then the algae is probably producing them. 6-7 ammonia? YIKES. Too high; that much will stunt your bacteria more than feed it, but it does explain your having algae this soon. Don't get rid of the algae yet. It's possibly the only reason your bacteria are still alive. Once the nutrients have been used up sufficiently the algal growth rate will decrease, and then you can remove it with minimal grow-back. The water always turns cloudy in a new tank. The bacteria population grows so much that you can actually see it. It clears up in a few days.

12-06-2005, 01:21 AM	#17
Fraser Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 21 Posts: 64	lol i leave my community tank's light on all the time I guess having 2 plecs in the one tank sorta counters the algae issue quite well, topped off by a few fish which like a little vegetation now and again When I setup my new 190L tank which arrives on wednesday should I keep the light on all the time, off all the time or partially off and partially on ? The setup will be for malawi cichlids with coral sand & plenty of tufa rock. __________________ 35g Planted Community tank: 3 Kribensis \| 1 Red Tailed Black Shark \| 2 Electric blue dwarf gouramis \| 2 Red dwarf gouramis \| 3 Bettas \| 6 silvertip tetras \| 8 Guppies \| 1 Medium/Large pleco 55g Malawi Cichlid tank: 3 Johannis \| 4 Auratus \| 1 Yellow Lab \| 3 Cobalt Blue Zebras \| 2 Orange Zebras \| 1 Red Zebra \| 4 Elongatus \| 1 Medium/Large pleco Last edited by Fraser; 12-06-2005 at 01:24 AM.

12-06-2005, 02:00 AM	#18
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	You really shouldnt leave the lights on all the time. Fish do need their "sleeping" period as well __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

12-06-2005, 09:19 AM	#19
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,355	A fishtank is NOT a night-light!!! You are killing your fish.

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