Ok..... yet another algae question....

[fliberdygibits]

I have a small fully cycled tank that is going gangbusters on algae. Both that black hair and a more normal green. My fish are all happy, water is Amonia&Nitrite 0, and the snails are going nuts, I think I just need MORE snails to really combat it. I have a question though. First, is it true that aside from a plenum and live rock (and a few other things) that algae is one of the things "eating" the nitrAte out of my water? If it is, does this indicate that my nitrates are high or just that they are there? Second question is that I have heard that silicates (I think) in tap water can cause that dark brown algae, and I have heard from a few sources that it contributes at least some to ALL kinds of algae. Will silicates eventually be consumed and stop encouraging algae?

Thanks for the info.

[Doug1]

Yes the fact that you have an abundence of algae indicats a lot of nutrients(nitrate,etc) this is common in fairly new tanks and can last up to 6 months depending on a host of factors
The reason you are getting 0 readings is because the algae cells have the nutrients bound up, but until the nutrients level off you will continue to have algae
Silicates mainly contribute to diatom formation and excess slilica is consumed these to will pass.
If you aren't using RO/DI water this may take a long time

[fliberdygibits]

I just posted another question that I think may sort of relate to this one. Even though my tank is technically cycled, should I wait on adding fish for a while? Just leave what's in there now? I ask because I have been loosing fish steadily and rather mysteriously (at least to me)

Thanks

[reefguy]

i would add fish. if you add hardier, cheaper fish like damsels first, they can help increase the biological filtration capabilities of your tank to a level where other, more sensitive fish can be added. i always liked starting with damsels because they are colorful, cheap, and hardy. hope this helps...

[Doug1]

are you usong tap water? Acclimating them? sure of the SG reading?
anything else that may be amiss

[fliberdygibits]

I am sure there is some trace remnant of tap water, but I have been using RO. I do acclimate them (cept for my snails which I was mistaken about and am now acclimating, see other post). I am pretty sure of my SG reading. It may be off by .001 or so, but should be very close. I am getting very good surface agitation, and try very hard to keep on top of evaporation.

[dark horge]

hi flib,

Algae are generally less notable for sucking up nitrate than they are for hoovering ammonia (before the stuff can get processed by bacteria into nitrate).


horge