is this supposed to happen?

[John 3:16]

my aquarium is new and has been up for two and a half weeks. i have had it fully covered with lights for about 3 days. i didnt put lights on it until my ammonia nitrite and nitrate levels were at zero.
yesterday i noticed a bloom of brown algea starting on the glass and rocks.
1. is this normal in a new aquarium
2. how can i get it to stop.

thanks, justin

 

[danmhippo]

Its normal, give it a coule more weeks. In the mean time, make water changes by siphoning the algae off the subtrate and rocks. Are you using Power heads? How many, which model, what is your tank size? Is skimmer fuctioning?

 

[pez]

Yes, this is normal. The brown algae is mostly diatoms. You can expect the green algae to start next. You might want to check out the FAQ to understand the basics of fish keeping: http://faq.thekrib.com/

-Tom

 

[John 3:16]

the tank is a 75 gal all glass aquarium with about 55 lbs of aragonite( or forty five) and about 65lbs of marshall islands live rock. i have one pump a mag drive 1200 in the sump circulating about 1150 gph at 4 ft of head pressure out of the 2 returns on opposite sides of the tank and one side has a 2 hole nozzle.

 

[John 3:16]

i forgot my skimmer (cpr backpack) is working fine but the collection cup isnt dirty. the liverock wasnt supposed to be cured but it was and the first time i checked theammonia, nitrate and nitrate it checked zero. thanks, justin

 

[danmhippo]

If I were you, I would install 2 maxijet 1200 at opposit end of tank. Increased circulation do discourage algae growth somewhat. You will need that water circulation after you put livestocks in anyway.

Just wait it out and siphon as much algae as you can while performing water changes.

 

[John 3:16]

do i still need more circulation even though i already have 1150 gph water. seems to have alot of movement?

 

[Goldmoon]

Just make sure your tank has really done cycling though before making any water changes. Strange that after cycling, your nitrate shows 0.
Just a thought.

 

[John 3:16]

i too was very suprised that my levels were already good. i bought the rock expecting a big die off and ammonia spike. was else is weird is the protein skimmer isnt getting anything bad in it .the bubbles and everything with it are working fine.
thanks, justin