Algae Outbreak...

[TeenReefer]

I have just recently changed my lighting from a standard 20 watt bulb to a 2x65 watt coralife fixture. I havent had any algea problems for a good year now, but a brown (looks like a diatom outbreak) algea is now covering everything! I also recently moved the rocks around last week, stirring up the sand and added one damsel yesterday to a tank that has been stockless for a while. Mind you that this tank has been up and running for two years. Any thoughts?

Water parameters as of now.

Nitrate:20-40 ppm (high i know, it gone up from last week. Was about 10-20)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Alkalinity: 300 ppm
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: 0-.25 ppm

Any way i can bring Nitrate down, and how big of water changes should i do a day since my water its reading 0 ppm?

[melosu58]

Do you have a skimmer, that will remove DOC. This will remove nitrates. Maybe a HOB refuge. A few ideas

[AndyH5512]

Stirring up the sand bed is most likely the culprit for the rise in nitrates. As stated, use a skimmer and do some water changes. Also, depending on your feeding schedule, you can cut back to every other day.

[TeenReefer]

i dont have a skimmer, just a HOTB filter and live rock/sand. I will try 2 gallon water changes over the next couple of days. I have cut back on the feeding schedule, even though i only have one fish!

[Brenden]

Stirring the sand an moving the LR probably caused your tank to do a mini cycle. be sure to keep a eye on water quality.

[TeenReefer]

ok, thanks brenden. wish we still had the kudos program and id be dishin them out to you a lot it seems! thanks for the advice!

[Brenden]

Welcome. Just be sure to check the NO2 level.

[Ayesha97]

I feel your pain TeenReefer, I just upgraded my lighting a few weeks ago and am dealing with a large diatom/algae outbreak. Its frustrating because I've had it up and running for 2 years now and its been fine...

What are the lighting recommendations for a tank? Should the length of light be cut back?

[EELectric]

I just did a large change also and I had a diatom bloom too. It has seemed to settle after a week or so.