new 75 gallon reef

[stevercleeze]

this is my first post ever. so im wondering when i can expect my first bloom. ive got myself a 75 gal/ 1 overflow tank, 20 gal wed /dry trickle with live rock and no balls, 3.5 in venturi skimmer, 4 bulb t5 ho light w/ 4 led moonlight(2 12000k, 2 actinic) 3 power head for water movement. 90 lbs live rock(supposedly cured) but my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all still high but coming down.

[skiergd011013]

your first signs of algae? soon im sure. typically all things plastic in your tank will grow brown diatoms for a short while. i never got green hair algae but heard it can be a pain and most do get it. i just got lucky i guess. i went through diatoms and then cyanobacteria on the sand which wasnt that bad.

[stevercleeze]

well then i hope to get lucky myself.

[FennellSaid]

Part of the cycling process will involve nitrates rising and then falling to undetectable levels. Falling nitrate levels is accomplished in a new tank by the newly establishing algae. When my nitrates hit 12 ppm I did a massive 50% water change. The thinking is that the nitrates and phosphates are what feed the algae which in turn remove the nitrates. The water change leaves less food for the algae to eat and to establish. The water change at this point helps to prevent a bloom. By the time Nitrates have fallen you've just fed and established a new algae. With my method you still get some algae but not nearly as much as I would have had. Hope this helps.