algae in tank

[40galreef]

I have noticed my 40 gallon tank has had a lot of algae growth and die off. It is only 1 1/2 weeks old. Will this continue, or will this stop. My ammonia, nitrite are at 0. Nitrate at 5. Should I add to my clean up crew?

 

[Sarcothelia]

Sounds like you are rushing into this. Adding a bigger clean up crew will not help. At 1.5 weeks, the tank is still getting balanced and you are going to see lots of algae and diatoms. Patience is key.

 

[carey]

is your tank cycled yet?

Cycle your salt tank

 

[40galreef]

is your tank cycled yet?

Cycle your salt tank

I feel like it is. The parameters are at cycled levels. I have had a clown in the tank for a few days and parameters are still good.

 

[carey]

Did you add any ammonia or a dead shrimp and then test parameters? If it's only been a week and a half I doubt you've cycled.

Be on the lookout for ammonia readings, I would test frequently.

as far as the algae, are you overfeeding and what's your light cycle like? Those factors can encourage algae growth.

 

[40galreef]

I did the shrimp test and everything stayed at 0, except 5 ppm nitrate. I leave the light on about 12 hours a day.

 

[carey]

The shrimp has to acutally rot away causing ammonia levels of up to 8ppm. Then after the ammonia goes down the nitrites have to spike as well, then THOSE have to drop all by themselves to 0.

Sounds like you've got a partially cycled tank at best. i woudl go easy on adding anything further to avoid a huge spike. the fish you have now may cause a spike as well.....