strat1960s Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 It appears my tank has cycled, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0. Within 12 hours of performing a 5 gallon water change, I've got algae on every surface? What causes this? Am I missing something? 16 Gallon tank 1 Yellow Watchman Goby 1 6-Line Wrasse 1 Turbo Snail 1 Peppermint Shrimp No coral or live rock. Using a canister filter with: Purigen Chemipure Elite Bio Balls Coarse to medium sponges Fine sponges in the top tray I will be upgrading to a 30 to 40 gallon tank after Christmas. One of the all-in-one tanks. Suggestions? Ted Link to comment
Clown79 Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 Algae is a common occurance. It really depends on the algae you have. If its a gold dusting, its diatoms which will go away on their own once they exhaust their food source. The one thing that can be suggested. Canister filters are nutrient traps if not cleaned weekly. Sponges and bioballs are another culprit as well. Filter floss replaced 2-3 times a week is better choice to the sponges. Sponges even washed or replaced collect detritus and aid in nitrate issues. Link to comment
strat1960s Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 Ok, its diatoms. The folks that told me I'd be ok with my canister filter didn't fill me in completely. That's ok. Lesson learned. Ted Link to comment
Canadianeh Posted November 23, 2016 Share Posted November 23, 2016 how long you cycled it for? can you post pictures of the diatoms? I want to compare them with mine to see if mine are also diatoms. Link to comment
strat1960s Posted November 23, 2016 Author Share Posted November 23, 2016 I began cycling the tank back in mid-October. I'll be at class till 10 PM tonight. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow morning. Ted Link to comment
Clown79 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Diatoms often occur during or after cycle. Its a normal occurance. Link to comment
strat1960s Posted November 24, 2016 Author Share Posted November 24, 2016 Canadianeh, Sorry, Its going to take me a while to figure out how to upload pictures. The "Stuff" is a golden yellow color. Almost a fine powder. Siphons up right away, but comes right back. My turbo snail eats it but at a snails pace. Ted Link to comment
Canadianeh Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Canadianeh, Sorry, Its going to take me a while to figure out how to upload pictures. The "Stuff" is a golden yellow color. Almost a fine powder. Siphons up right away, but comes right back. My turbo snail eats it but at a snails pace. Ted Just use icon pictures. Should not be that hard. That's okay. Mine is diatoms too. They are golden colour as you said. Link to comment
ABC Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Sounds like diatoms every new tank goes thru phases like this, if it was me I'd just stick with regular maintenance. But just in case post pictures like the other people asked for Link to comment
Cencalfishguy56 Posted November 24, 2016 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Canadianeh, Sorry, Its going to take me a while to figure out how to upload pictures. The "Stuff" is a golden yellow color. Almost a fine powder. Siphons up right away, but comes right back. My turbo snail eats it but at a snails pace. Ted if you can pick up some blue legged hermit crabs they should destroy your diatoms Link to comment
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