FishPerson

I have been reading around this algae frum, and found that nitrates are a cause of algae growth. now, knowing that Nitrates are the final product of the nitrogen cycle, would that mean that, If you have algae in a tank that was previously uncycled, and that was not lit too often, that you have a now cycled tank with high Nirates? Thanks!

Butterfly

Not necessarily All algae needs to grow is nutrients and a light source. Most new tanks have about of algae and diatoms as a matter of course.
what are your water test readings. This is a better indication of whether the tank is cycled.
Carol

Dave at cu

I had the same question. My tank just finished cycling, according to the NH3 and NO2- readings, and right then I saw my first algae growth. Just a coincidence I guess.