Jackie Frost

How does the presence of algae affect cycling? Does algae effect it a little, a lot or not at all. I'm just wondering if I should clean up the algae or not.

Nate McFin

How to deal with it depends on the type of algae. Most likely it is diatoms and it will disappear on its own. It wont affect the cycle. Some algaes should be dealt with early to prevent it from becoming a huge problem down the road.
Here is a very good article on Algae as well as an ID guide toward the end.
http://www.aquariumalgae.blogspot.com/

peacemaker92

Hi Jackie,

I don't know much about algae but when all I know is when I see algae in my almost cycled tank, I know the tank is cycled! haha Hope a more experienced member can swing by and answer your question. Good luck!

Jackie Frost

Really? Is that true? My tank is cycled? But I had an amonia of 0.25 just 2 days ago. I'll do a nitrate test the moment I get a chance. The algae is brown by the way. Probably diatons like you said Nate. But wow! A cycled tank! Dare I hope?

aquarist48

Hello. I have and use Diatom Filters (#2 in the link Nate provided) so Algae is never an issue. Jackie until your readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and under 20 nitrates you aren't cycled. I'd hate for you to get your hopes up just by having algae in your tank. I would not recommend doing any water changes until your tank is cycled.
Best of luck and keep us posted.

Ken

click

I had algae during my cycle too. It was brownish, probably diatoms. My tank was not cycled yet, so I would not consider algae a sign of cycle completion. I gently tapped the leaves of my plants and then vacuumed the gravel. It helped keep it under control.

It looked bad for a few days but in the meantime the cycle was complete and I bought my first guppies. Since I got them, it slowly starts to disappear. I see my guppies cleaning my plants,they seem to like the diatoms.

Jackie Frost

You guys were right. I just tested the tank and got an 0.25 amonia (and I did a fifty percent water change yesterday!) and no nitrates in sight. Clearly my tank isn't cycled.


Yeah, but aren't I supposed to keep doing water changes to keep my goldfish alive? (I purchased her before I knew anything about the nitrogen cycle.)

click

I think aquarist48 was not aware you have fish in your tank. Please don't stop the water changes, your fish will die if you do.

TedsTank

With my tanks...I noticed you are near cycled...for some reason mine hang at amomia .25near the end of the cycle, some times for days.. Yes, water can be continued but I usually cut back to less than 20%. If you keep an eye on your parameters none are necessary.

We all have slightly different procedures that work for us...hand in hand with watching the parameters.

aquarist48

Hello Jackie. Click is correct. I wasn't aware you were cycling with fish. By all means keep up with your water changes Whew! Thanks Click!
Ken

click

No problem, when I have a light day at work I keep on checking the "New Posts" tab. Don't tell my boss