I thought I had a build thread maybe not

[Freenow54]

I thought I had a build Thread maybe not. Anyway has been a long trip so far. I cycled tank lights off, using fishless method. I turned on the lights have been on for 4 weeks. Most of what is in the pictures I post is not a surprise to me. However the green algae on the rocks with the bubbles is. Unfortunately I discovered

that the sand is lighter than the algae, and I cannot siphon the substrate. If you have comments about anything of concern, and methods to eliminate please advise. Thanks: Wally

 

[blaxsun]

Have you tested your water parameters? If not, do that (ammonia, nitrates, phosphates). Some cleanup crew will help with some of the algae (although I can't tell what everything is).

Trochus snails are good for the glass, some blue or scarlet hermits for general, a orange lip conch for the substrate and some spiny astrea snails and ring cowries to tackle the rocks (again, assuming the water parameters are fine).

 

[Freenow54]

I thought I had a build Thread maybe not. Anyway has been a long trip so far. I cycled tank lights off, using fishless method. I turned on the lights have been on for 4 weeks. Most of what is in the pictures I post is not a surprise to me. However the green algae on the rocks with the bubbles is. Unfortunately I discovered

that the sand is lighter than the algae, and I cannot siphon the substrate. If you have comments about anything of concern, and methods to eliminate please advise. Thanks: Wally

Going to repost this was lost somewhere NEED ADVICE

 

[Rmckoy]

Without test results , advice can be hard to point in the right direction .

as soon as I see red slime like algae I think Cyanobacteria .
manage nutrients and give more flow .
Could also be part of a ugly must have stage .

 

[Freenow54]

Without test results , advice can be hard to point in the right direction .

as soon as I see red slime like algae I think Cyanobacteria .
manage nutrients and give more flow .
Could also be part of a ugly must have stage .

Cant give it much more flow. Have three power heads now, and pump return of course. Did not think it was slime maybe so . As to nutrients yes bad for over feeding. Thanks

 

[Utubereefer]

Have you been dosing bacteria?

 

[Freenow54]

Have you been dosing bacteria?

NO Only once at beginning of cycling. Four months ago now. Not a big fan of dosing try to use logical approaches' first only because not sure about side effects like say Vibrant

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Without test results , advice can be hard to point in the right direction .

as soon as I see red slime like algae I think Cyanobacteria .
manage nutrients and give more flow .
Could also be part of a ugly must have stage .

This, looks like new tank uglies.

 

[Freenow54]

This, looks like new tank uglies.

Hope so so just sit tight?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Hope so so just sit tight?

Id try a lil brightwell microbacter 7, one of the few bacteria in a bottle I personally trust. Otherwise it will clear up overtime as the parameters balance out.

 

[Utubereefer]

NO Only once at beginning of cycling. Four months ago now. Not a big fan of dosing try to use logical approaches' first only because not sure about side effects like say Vibrant

You can seed your tank with rock rubble from aqua biomics. Starting a tank dry is really tough. You need the good bacteria
https://aquabiomics.com/

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

You can seed your tank with rock rubble from aqua biomics. Starting a tank dry is really tough. You need the good bacteria
https://aquabiomics.com/

This or check with your LFS, they sometimes have seeded live rock in a clean system (mine does anyway).

 

[gbroadbridge]

I thought I had a build Thread maybe not. Anyway has been a long trip so far. I cycled tank lights off, using fishless method. I turned on the lights have been on for 4 weeks. Most of what is in the pictures I post is not a surprise to me. However the green algae on the rocks with the bubbles is. Unfortunately I discovered

that the sand is lighter than the algae, and I cannot siphon the substrate. If you have comments about anything of concern, and methods to eliminate please advise. Thanks: Wally

Looks like cyano (green & red - congratulations :)

More flow and vacuum out.
Resist tempation to solve it chemically.
It will go away on its own.

Someone else suggested MB7. It's useful to add biodiversity but don't expect overnight magic froma bottle.

 

[Freenow54]

Looks like cyano (green & red - congratulations :)

More flow and vacuum out.
Resist tempation to solve it chemically.
It will go away on its own.

Someone else suggested MB7. It's useful to add biodiversity but don't expect overnight magic froma bottle.

Yes That is what I thought but was not sure. Looking for confirmation on the purple

 

[Freenow54]

Yes That is what I thought but was not sure. Looking for confirmation on the purple

Also I cannot vacuum it because the sand is lighter, and gets sucked up first. Have an idea that I will post later

 

[Freenow54]

Ok so I know that I am due for a water change. Here is my test results from

a few minutes ago. By the way appreciate the suggestions keep them coming please, as I do not want to add coral until this is settled

 

[Rmckoy]

Ok so I know that I am due for a water change. Here is my test results from

a few minutes ago. By the way appreciate the suggestions keep them coming please, as I do not want to add coral until this is settled

Other than having elevated ammonia . And zero nitrates . I would only assume that this tank hasn’t fully cycled .
but …. The algae suggests otherwise .

 

[Utubereefer]

Did you shorten your light cycle? Try a small clean up crew too!

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Get rid of those api test, asap. Buy salifert at the minimum. I've had too many times with bad or way off results with api to trust it anymore.

If those numbers are as said above, you may have a somewhat hung cycle. I'm still sticking with you need some diversified bac.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Also I cannot vacuum it because the sand is lighter, and gets sucked up first. Have an idea that I will post later

If nothing else rake the top with a powerhead running, get it up and into the filtration.