Almost a month in and still have questions
- Thread starter Geonet
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Jamesrup0411
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I would agree with the above statements that it is diatoms and yes it’s normal. Pics will always help with I.d
ScottR
Surfing....
I prefer to go lights on during cycling. How I see it, you’ll go through algae and diatoms anyway. Why not kickstart the uglies early on. Diatoms usually last 3-4 months in my new tanks. There’s this beautiful stage maybe 6 months in if you’re lucky. It’s a lovely stage of the hobby.
SPR1968
No, it wasn’t expensive dear....
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I think as already said get your RODI unit up and running, this is one of the basics of keeping a successful reef/saltwater tank and produce 0 TDS water for both toping off and making new saltwater
If your concerned about the presence of ammonia get a accurate test kit or something like the Seachem Ammonia alert and then you’ll know if you have ammonia or not, because at certain levels its extremely toxic to fish. Unfortunately weekly testing is essential to keep an eye on water parameters and making adjustments as necessary Including salinity.
The brown algae forming is probably diatoms which consume things like silicates and generally burn themselves out after a few weeks, and if you want the lights on to enjoy things, put them on, but maybe just not all day.
You might find this helpful as well to have a read through
www.reef2reef.com
If your concerned about the presence of ammonia get a accurate test kit or something like the Seachem Ammonia alert and then you’ll know if you have ammonia or not, because at certain levels its extremely toxic to fish. Unfortunately weekly testing is essential to keep an eye on water parameters and making adjustments as necessary Including salinity.
The brown algae forming is probably diatoms which consume things like silicates and generally burn themselves out after a few weeks, and if you want the lights on to enjoy things, put them on, but maybe just not all day.
You might find this helpful as well to have a read through
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium
The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean...
www.reef2reef.com
Jamesrup0411
Well-Known Member
Yup looks like diatoms, I’d read the article that spr1968 posted. I would get a DI system on your ro and invest in some other test kits. Other than that I think you’re on the right track, just be patient and you will get through the ugly phase. Don’t overwhelm your tank with miracle products that you think might speed up the process. Just water changes and keeping your parameters in line also a good clean up crew.
Jamesrup0411
Well-Known Member
Check into that ammonia badge, you might be surprised on seeing you don’t have ammonia.Doing 5 Gallon changes daily...Hoping my Ammonia Gets in check
Doing 5 Gallon changes daily...Hoping my Ammonia Gets in check
Welcome to the hobby and R2R!
1) API kits are notorious for always reading .25.
2) Nitrite test result (NO2) ?
3) If you have nitrAte (NO3), your cycle is done. Put away the nitrite and ammonia kits until a fish dies without explanation.
4) If your cycle is done, put away the additives. They are creating noise in your biome.
5) Don't do water changes now. Wait until you have a months worth of bioload. Then do 20% every 2 weeks with RODI source water.
6) Lights on/off your choice. You have 6 months of uglies ahead no matter what.
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False positive on API. Also, Prime neutralizes but does not remove ammonia. It will still give you a positive reading, but the ammonia is bound and harmless at that point. You are cycled.
You can stop the prime. Right now its doing nothing. Your tank has been up for 4 weeks and you added bacteria (stability). The fish are alive and your tank is processing ammonia (you have nitrate). I think your nitrate reading should be 1ppm or 10ppm and not 0.1ppm . 01 would be hard to measure. Weekly water changes are a good habit. I dont think you need to do them every day.
Adding corals:
You should wait until you go thru a few ugly stages. Diatoms and some algae growth. Once you have algae, add your clean up crew. Once they get it under control then you can add some easier corals.
Adding corals:
You should wait until you go thru a few ugly stages. Diatoms and some algae growth. Once you have algae, add your clean up crew. Once they get it under control then you can add some easier corals.
W1ngz
Failed Padawan
Yes the brown is normal. It will eventually give way to green and then purple.
No the API isn't reliable at low range.
You don't need the prime anymore.
You probably don't need the Stability anymore.
Yes your wife complaining is normal.
Look at it this way, you didn't buy a reef tank. You bought a science experiment with a steep learning curve. If you make it up the curve, the pay off is a reef tank.
No the API isn't reliable at low range.
You don't need the prime anymore.
You probably don't need the Stability anymore.
Yes your wife complaining is normal.
Look at it this way, you didn't buy a reef tank. You bought a science experiment with a steep learning curve. If you make it up the curve, the pay off is a reef tank.
W1ngz
Failed Padawan
Clean up crew. Snails, crabs and maybe a cleaner shrimp. Avoid starfish, your tank won't have enough stuff in the sand and rocks to keep them fed for a while. Research everything you buy BEFORE you buy it, or you may be dooming it to starvation.
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