new tank,new hobbyist,new hair algae,help!

[pongo]

hi out there,Im new to the hobby and to the forum and i need help.I've got a 100imp gallon tank,lifegaurd fluidized bed(pre matured in another tank),canister for chem & mech,2 met-halides 150w 10,000k and 25w uv plus 20kg figi rock .i have had the tank running for 2 weeks and i am now suffering from brown hair algae.It is starting to take hold and i'm now worried about its effect on the live rock.My water chemistryis amm=0,nitrites=0,nitrates=0(using 2 test kits),phos=0(using 2 kits),silicates=? but using silicate remover as a precaution.how do i rid the tank of this devils spawn.Also how much more rock would i need to keep nitrates down and remove other filtration and will my existing rock be ok untill i have required amount while on fluid bed.Skimmer 250 gallon needle wheel,temp 80f,sg 1.024 using ro.thanks for any help,looking through the forum you people really know your stuff.

[Rick O]

Hi Pongo,

Welcome to The Reef Tank. Some algae is to be expected in a new tank. Looks like you are doing things right. What do you have for livestock and what are your feeding habits? Also do you have a cleanup crew (any snails)?

Rick

[FishDaddy]

Pongo,
The algae bloom is perfectly normal for a new system. Its way too early to use products like silicate remover, or anything else until your tank goes through the normal series of algae as it matures. In fact, many reefers eschew any of the chemical products except kalkwasser, which I recommend for all topoff water. The kalk will help bind organic phosphate for export via skimmer.
For your 120 US gallon tank, anywhere from 120`180 lbs of Fiji or other similar lightweight porous rock is the normal range. In addition, a sandbed of 4~6" would complement the live rock for effective biological filtration. It will take up to a year or more for the system to become fully mature with bacteria and LR/LS fauna so you can't rush things.
I would remove the UV immediately. Its value is mainly to fight fish disease but also can kill off the plankton and bacteria that the natural system depends on.
You don't mention powerheads for circulation. Good water flow is important to keep detritus in the water column for export through your skimmer and filter and later, for good coral health. The amount and type of flow will depend on what corals you wind up keeping.
HTH
Dick

[Alice]

Welcome!

A clean up crew is definitely in order if you don't have one. Go with a few hermits and lots of snails. Hand pick as much of that hair algae as you can, keep the circulation up and be patient If the hair algae doesn't start to abate soon you may want to consider getting some Macroalgae such as calupera to help outcompete the nasty hairy stuff.

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Reefkeeping is my life; I can't afford a hobby too!

[Nugg]

I had the same problem and a sally lightfoot crab took care of most of it while hermits and snails cleaned up the rest.

[pongo]

Thanks for everyones comments i feel alot happier now.I have siphoned off as much algae as i can and im going to sit tight and wait for the tank to fully mature.i have 4 powerheads in the tank,10 turbos and 3 hermits(more snails on the shopping list).I also have 1 bi-color dwarf angel,yellow tang and 2 percula clowns from my previous F/O tank.I will indeed turn the u/v off and begin kalk,as i,m sure your aware we have many old fashioned ideas in the u.k and your comments will help some of us push our boundaries. The text i,m reading still advocates the use of undergravels for inverts.Your help is priceless,thankyou!

You should look up Martyn, he's also in the UK and is very knowledgable on the currently favored methodology and sourcing things in the UK. A very good chap to know if you're into reefs there

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I thought I was me, but we were wrong
email: geeflipr@internetcds.com