New Tank

[bfield02]

Hello and i have just set up a new 95 gallon corner with 80lbs of tonga live rock. The tank has been up and running for 10 days now, and there is a layer of brown stuff on the bottom of the tank on the sand and covering the rock is this algea? Also there is bubbles coming from the rock as well. Is this normal?
Anyhelp is appreciated.
Filtration is a sump, and reefdevil protien skimmer, 18w uv sterilizer, and 300w Hydro inline heater

 

[metalac]

not sure about the bubbles but you might post pics of that brown stuff, but i suspect it's an algae bloom. pretty much everyone gets an algae bloom of some sort in the first few weeks of running the tank.

 

[mr_X]

brown diatom algae. it's normal for a new tank. read the threads marked *sticky*. they have alot of useful info about starting tanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Agreed, probably the normal diatom bloom. Oh and since noone has said this yet bfield02,

:welcome:

 

[bfield02]

Here is a picture of the brown stuff.[/img]

 

[bfield02]

Thanks for the welcome to reef org

I need some help with attaching pics would love to show you guys this gorss brown stuff and a pic of my aquarium

 

[mr_X]

lol..we've all seen it.

meanwhile, click "post reply" instead of doing a quick reply at the bottom and an image browser button will appear :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Looks like this, right obnoxious brown goo.

As MrX says, hit the post reply button and you will get another screen where you can attach images if you want to. But, we are quite sure what you have is normal and will subside as the tank cycles. Have you tested the water lately to see where in the cycle you tank is ATM?

Do a search using the keyword "diatom" and you will see many threads on the subject. These things are part of the normal cycle and will burn themselves out in time as the tank stabilizes. Increased water flow in the tank can be helpful. You can also shut down the lights or decrease the photoperiod to next to nothing.

 

[bfield02]

Yep thanks appreciate the help and advice I plan on testing the water in a bit will post the results

 

[bfield02]

Ok finally was able to get the pictures down to small enough file size

 

[mr_X]

it looks like a cartoon :?

 

[bfield02]

Here is another try at pictures

 

[Anonymous]

Wow! Cool rock work! I love your design. Very artistic.

Don't worry about the brown/diatoms.Really, they are really nutritious and give a good start to your biodiverse microfauna.

Again, strong work!

 

[bfield02]

Thanks Seahorse.
I am being patient and waiting for it to cycle.
Tested for PH, ALK and Ammonia last night and the readings where as follows:
PH 8.3
ALK was normal
AMMONIA .5
so its slowly cycling it been up for two weeks on Wed. So I figure another two and should be fully cycled.

 

[mr_X]

that looks much better :wink:

 

[bfield02]

Ok now have green alge growing on my rock. Does that mean my tank is cycled?

 

[Brian5000]

Your tank is cycled when ammonia, nitrite and nitrate tests all read 0.

The different algeas are a part (or consequence) of the cycling process. It grows because cycling rock produces a temporary surge in nutrients, and the algea doesn't really have anything else in your tank to compete with yet.

Once you start stocking your tank, it will only take a couple algea eating critters a week to clean that.
_________________
BMW 247 engine

 

[bfield02]

Ok so I am running SunPaq 3 96 watt dual lighting in my corner tank. I have a 7 in canopy that they are mounted on. Now there is a rest for the opening of the canopy and under that on the sides is a about a 18 in cut out for the lighting wires to go through. I have heard several ways of putting a fan in.
1. was cuting an area for the fan in the lid over the overflow box and have the fan pull air out.
I was wondering about mounting 2 in the cut out portion under the lid support. The question there in is do I have them blow out or suck cool air in? Is there enough space about 3 inches from wall.
appreciate the help

 

[mr_X]

you are better off blowing in. sucking air out means sucking salty, sea air through an electronic device. i don't see how it will last very long.