What could be causing this?

[Currierfarms14]

Hello,
I have had this reef tank up and going for close to two years. Yesterday, I switched from LED (viparspectra) to a 6 Bulb T5. When I went to hang the T5, my HOB protein skimmer wouldn’t fit, so I removed it. I’ve been thinking about removing it as my nitrates have been around 0 for months. Everything looked fine yesterday.

Fast forward to today, I have alot of bubbles on my fish and corals, and alot of my corals are not opening up. My anemone has also shrunken to a very small size. I have checked my levels, and they are all the same they’ve been over the last couple months. Any ideas? Could there be a lack of oxygen now that I removed my protein skimmer? Could it be they are all adjusting due to the changes? Thank you for your input!

 

[fishguy242]

hi, i would say coral adjusting to lights, where are the micro bubbles coming from ?

 

[Currierfarms14]

Im not entirely sure. They are hanging on the rocks, and on one of my fish. They are slowly coming up to the surface.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Looks like cyanobacteria to me. Nothing huge.

 

[Currierfarms14]

Looks like cyanobacteria to me. Nothing huge.

I’ve had cyano many times (I struggle to get nitrates in my tank), and I don’t think it’s that. There’s really not a red bacteria accompanying the bubbles. I do have some GHA In my tank also, which makes me think that’s taking up some nitrates .

 

[Reefer Matt]

I’ve had cyano many times (I struggle to get nitrates in my tank), and I don’t think it’s that. There’s really not a red bacteria accompanying the bubbles. I do have some GHA In my tank also, which makes me think that’s taking up some nitrates .

How many snails and hermits do you have?

 

[Currierfarms14]

How many snails and hermits do you have?

Probably 10-15. My sand generally stays pretty white with them moving it around.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Probably 10-15. My sand generally stays pretty white with them moving it around.

What size tank?

 

[Currierfarms14]

72 gallon bowfront

 

[Reefer Matt]

72 gallon bowfront

The bubbles look like nitrogen gas from photosynthesis of the algae. The change of lighting probably caused the change in behavior. I suggest getting 50 more snails. They will get rid of the algae in a week.

 

[Currierfarms14]

The bubbles look like nitrogen gas from photosynthesis of the algae. The change of lighting probably caused the change in behavior. I suggest getting 50 more snails. They will get rid of the algae in a week.

Is this nitrogen gas harmful to my tank? The funny thing is I have green hair algae, but I also constantly have corraline algae on my glass as well. This has been the most confusing tank I’ve ever run lol

 

[Reefer Matt]

Is this nitrogen gas harmful to my tank? The funny thing is I have green hair algae, but I also constantly have corraline algae on my glass as well. This has been the most confusing tank I’ve ever run lol

No. It is the completion of the nitrogen cycle. It is what macro algae in a refugium does to get rid of nitrate. I will find a link for you on the nitrogen cycle. As long as it is not long and snotty looking (dino), it is a pretty simple fix.

 

[Reefer Matt]

No. It is the completion of the nitrogen cycle. It is what macro algae in a refugium does to get rid of nitrate. I will find a link for you on the nitrogen cycle. As long as it is not long and snotty looking (dino), it is a pretty simple fix.

Correction, the gas from the algae is oxygen. The gas from anaerobic bacteria in liverock is nitrogen. I would check your ph since the skimmer is off, and make sure it didn't drastically drop.

 

[Currierfarms14]

Weirdly enough, it went from 7.8 previously to 8.4 (just checked it)

 

[Currierfarms14]

Alk 9, calcium 400,

 

[fishguy242]

how are fish acting ?
anything out of ordinary ?

 

[Currierfarms14]

how are fish acting ?
anything out of ordinary ?

Fox face is toward the surface and looks like he’s trying to breath

 

[fishguy242]

add air asap, get skimmer back on . not 100% sure what is going on here .
@Eagle_Steve

 

[Currierfarms14]

Just did. Got the 6 bulb T5 about 12 inches above the aquarium to be able to fit it. Fish is not toward the top anymore.

 

[Currierfarms14]

I solely run 6 bulb t5. My tank is 23 inches deep. From the top of the tank (not waterline) it’s 10 inches high. Will this give me enough par for most corals?