Start of Green Hair Algae Outbreak! NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

LOL. I have read of people taping a black trash bag to the outside glass with good results. Only light in would be the ambient light through the top, but still allows good oxygen exchange.

 

would a white trash bag be ok to use, or would that really do no good? If i have to i can go out and buy a box of black trash bags tomorrow, as i really don't want this algae to take over, especially since i've been having some nice coralline coming in

 

so i turned the lights on for a quick minute to see how the algae was doing, it looks like it hasnt spread any further than it already has, but it's still very early

 

Hey, Puffer Chick. You're going through the normal throes of cycling. Algae needs food and light. Right now what's feeding it most is food--nitrates and possibly phosphates depending on your water source. You're not using tap water, right?

Light plays a factor, but in the grand scheme of things, at this moment light is a negligible fuel when compared to the nutrients the algae derives from your cycling water. Stick to the program, and once your cycle is complete, there should be no more food left for the algae, and it will wane on its own.

As for the trash bags, it won't hurt--but I wouldn't use white, as white reflects light, and any ambient light coming in thru the top will be amplified by white "walls" on the tank.

Let the cycle pass. It can take up to 12 weeks or more in total. If you've done everything right ammonia, nitrites and nitrates will all fall off to zero (nitrates only if you have ample amounts of LR to provide anaerobic habitat for the bacteria that turns nitrates to nitrogen gas.)

Remember--if you don't provide algae with nutrients in the water, light alone won't feed them. To put it another way; light is not an issue if your water is nutrient free. Even direct sunlight for an hour or two a day won't fuel algae, providing your chemistry is on point. The nutrients are beyond your control during a cycle. Just wait it out. To occupy your time for now, you can "pick off" any algae that's big enough to be removed with your fingers. It will help prevent the accumulated phosphates contained therein, from re-entering the water when the algae dies of starvation.

You're being patient. Good for you! Continue to do so, and it will all work out.

 

ok and yes i am using ro/di water, and i do have nitrates, so i'm glad everyone is agreeing that the algae is because of the cycling process.

 

Why did you put your tank next to a window..thats a no-no!!!

 

it was the only spot in the room and i have a large window in my room so i get sunlight everywhere, so it would have made no difference if i were to put it anywhere else

 

:-/ I got mine next to a window, I have the lights turning on a little bit after sun rise. So in the morning it gets a couple of morning rays to wake everyone up in there. I've had no real probs with the algae so far.
Its nice seeing the corals starting to open in the sunrise.

 

never thought of that, maybe once i get my corals i'll leave my blinds open during the night, but then again, i am never up when the sunrises so i would never be able to see them wake up, but i guess it would be good for the corals

 

how long did u turn your lights on???? You must slowly acclimate your tank to your lighting. Plus a cuc would help when acclimating your lights.