Coral additions = algae outbreaks?

BrookR1 · 11/08/2011, 07:07 AM

It makes no sense to me, but it seems like every time I add a new coral or two (30 gallon tank) I get an algae outbreak even though my parameters and feeding remain the same.

Could it be caused by a sudden increase in Ca/Alk consumption?

The good news is that after a few days it goes away, but I'm still a little confused as to why this happens.

HighlandReefer · 11/08/2011, 07:27 AM

The new coral may have algae on it and you introduce it into your tank. Many coral collected from the ocean come from algae infested waters now. If possible it is always nice to quarantine new rock and coral with proper lighting. You may not see algae if the coral was cleaned up before sale.

spivey73 · 11/08/2011, 07:57 AM

I would think its just adjusting to the new bio load plus a little bit of die off from travel. A mini-cycle but probably not even enough to show up on a test. it adjusts, but at the end is you bloom but it eats up the excess and dies off.

spivey73 · 11/08/2011, 07:58 AM

But always +1 for QT

tmz · 11/08/2011, 11:07 AM

I have no idea what's happeneg. Import of an algae could be it. Organics from the new coral, exudate from the coral ,PO4 from the rock the coral is on, stir up of detritus .etc when moving stuff around to place it are afew guesses.

BrookR1 · 11/08/2011, 02:14 PM

I'm not too worried about it because I have a big skimmer. I target feed my new additions (mainly LPS) after a couple of days of polyp extension. It could be that the corals aren't as efficient at processing food as the other critters in my tank. Sometimes there's also a little recession until the corals fully adjust to my tank.

What's also weird is I've noticed white strings of mucous come out of some of my corals (bubble coral, lobo, and duncan) right after I place food on their mouths. Almost like coral saliva.

11/08/2011, 07:07 AM	#1
BrookR1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boise Posts: 297	Coral additions = algae outbreaks? It makes no sense to me, but it seems like every time I add a new coral or two (30 gallon tank) I get an algae outbreak even though my parameters and feeding remain the same. Could it be caused by a sudden increase in Ca/Alk consumption? The good news is that after a few days it goes away, but I'm still a little confused as to why this happens. __________________ Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows a Burrow Owl lives--in--a--hole--in--the--ground. Why the hell do you think they call it a Burrow Owl, anyway?!

11/08/2011, 07:27 AM	#2
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	The new coral may have algae on it and you introduce it into your tank. Many coral collected from the ocean come from algae infested waters now. If possible it is always nice to quarantine new rock and coral with proper lighting. You may not see algae if the coral was cleaned up before sale. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

11/08/2011, 07:57 AM	#3
spivey73 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NWI (Chicago area) Posts: 80	I would think its just adjusting to the new bio load plus a little bit of die off from travel. A mini-cycle but probably not even enough to show up on a test. it adjusts, but at the end is you bloom but it eats up the excess and dies off. __________________ 90g reef 30g fuge, 3 AI Sol blue, LED, oct xs160 skimmer, Neptune Apex. Mp40 28g JBJ LED Pro, Aquamaxx Hob-1 7g fluval edge reef haha and you think you've raised hell" Current Tank Info: 90 reef

11/08/2011, 07:58 AM	#4
spivey73 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NWI (Chicago area) Posts: 80	But always +1 for QT __________________ 90g reef 30g fuge, 3 AI Sol blue, LED, oct xs160 skimmer, Neptune Apex. Mp40 28g JBJ LED Pro, Aquamaxx Hob-1 7g fluval edge reef haha and you think you've raised hell" Current Tank Info: 90 reef

11/08/2011, 11:07 AM	#5
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	I have no idea what's happeneg. Import of an algae could be it. Organics from the new coral, exudate from the coral ,PO4 from the rock the coral is on, stir up of detritus .etc when moving stuff around to place it are afew guesses. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

11/08/2011, 02:14 PM	#6
BrookR1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boise Posts: 297	I'm not too worried about it because I have a big skimmer. I target feed my new additions (mainly LPS) after a couple of days of polyp extension. It could be that the corals aren't as efficient at processing food as the other critters in my tank. Sometimes there's also a little recession until the corals fully adjust to my tank. What's also weird is I've noticed white strings of mucous come out of some of my corals (bubble coral, lobo, and duncan) right after I place food on their mouths. Almost like coral saliva. __________________ Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows a Burrow Owl lives--in--a--hole--in--the--ground. Why the hell do you think they call it a Burrow Owl, anyway?!

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