Bacteria bloom

I hope this is the right forum, but I have a 180g with 0 ammonia, nitrites and trace nitrates. Tank is about 6 weeks old. I recently added 3 tangs and after a few days I got a pretty bad bacteria bloom. I know the added fish and food shocked the system which caused the bloom, so I cut back on the feeding, have the protein skimmer running hard, have the ecotech pumps set on the nutrient transport mode, and I'm about to do a water change which I believe doesnt really do anything for bacteria blooms, but I figured it can't hurt. But the question is, anyone know how long these usually last? Anyone have experience with this? I went from crystal clear water to cloudy water and its aggravating. I'm ready to start adding coral but I'm gonna wait til this clears up.
Thanks

 

Have you tried running some Charcoal? I do not believe there is anything definitive regarding how long it will last too many variables involved. Sounds like you're doing all the right things.

 

Try not to do any big waterchanges during the bloom, The waterchanges just fuel it and make it worse, Normally they last around 3 weeks or so but it could be longer nobody really can say for sure, If you want it gone quick then a uv sterilizer will take care of it but personally I'd just wait it out it will go away on its own it just makes the tank hard to look at until then lol.

 

What specifically besides cloudy water are you seeing? Cyanobacteria (red slime), diatomes (brown algae), or just cloudy water? What are your tests reading now? What test kits do you use?

 

Right now it's just cloudy water. My ammonia is showing 0 and nitrites 0. Those are API and aren't the best tests but I got those for initial testing while the tank is new. The nitrates are showing less than 10 with a Red Sea nitrate pro test. I guess I'll just wait the water out then. It's eventually gonna be a mixed reef so would I be safe adding a few Zoas or ricordias or should I wait til the bloom is done? Other than the cloudy water, the 3 fish I have are doing great and don't seem to be affected by it at all.

 

The only time it affects coral is if it blocks to much light from being so cloudy,I wouldn't worry about that unless your adding sps, You can definitely add some shrooms and zoas though it won't affect them or the fish at all really.

 

I would disagree in that I would wait to add corals. I would also take Corailline's advice and run some GAC.

 

Care to explain why you would wait? Or did ya mean you wouldn't wait?

 

I meant I would wait. Just not sure about what effect the bacterial bloom could have on corals. It shouldn't be a real long time to clear it up but I'd rather try out coral in a tank the best environment possible.

 

Just wondering, how do you know it's a bacterial bloom vs just cloudy water or something else. (nube question)