Is this the ugly phase how do I fix it?

[jacobcoral]

I just set up his tank about a month ago and it’s starting to get brown algae. It is still not cycled yet. Does anyone have any recommendations to get rid of this? Should I dose bacteria or get a UV sterilizer?

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Well your surface has no agitation so your going to get that biofilm on top. Either add a wavemaker or point the return nozzle higher up to break the surface a bit.

If its not cycled, you wouldn't have a fish... I'd say your probably cycled at this point.

As for the ugly stage. Might as well get over the fact that your rocks are gonna be covered in it. Not everyone gets amazing coralline growth instantly. Going to take months if not years.

So this is the moment to add CUC. You have a good amount of sand so look for sand sifters like nassaruis snails. They go great. Add some hermits. Trochus's are great as they self-right. Pay attention to your nitrates as they continue to rise, slow down the feeding or do some water changes.

Overall your tank is looking good. Don't stress!

 

[jacobcoral]

Well your surface has no agitation so your going to get that biofilm on top. Either add a wavemaker or point the return nozzle higher up to break the surface a bit.

If its not cycled, you wouldn't have a fish... I'd say your probably cycled at this point.

As for the ugly stage. Might as well get over the fact that your rocks are gonna be covered in it. Not everyone gets amazing coralline growth instantly. Going to take months if not years.

So this is the moment to add CUC. You have a good amount of sand so look for sand sifters like nassaruis snails. They go great. Add some hermits. Trochus's are great as they self-right. Pay attention to your nitrates as they continue to rise, slow down the feeding or do some water changes.

Overall your tank is looking good. Don't stress!

I have 2 fish and zero nitrates still. If I had a wave maker, do you think that’s going to help with the algae? I’m not sure I understand.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I have 2 fish and zero nitrates still. If I had a wave maker, do you think that’s going to help with the algae? I’m not sure I understand.

Do you have any ammonia present? If so then yes I'd be worried. But if you have no ammonia present but nitrates still show 0. It just means the current algae in the tank is consuming it all.

No ammonia present= continue feeding as usual. Start to add CUC in the tank. They will cut down on the algae thus freeing up nitrates so you should see it rise over time. Then it becomes a balancing act in the ecosystem.

Yes the wavemaker will help tremendously! Some algae cannot stick to surfaces so it helps blow it off.

 

[jacobcoral]

Do you have any ammonia present? If so then yes I'd be worried. But if you have no ammonia present but nitrates still show 0. It just means the current algae in the tank is consuming it all.

No ammonia present= continue feeding as usual. Start to add CUC in the tank. They will cut down on the algae thus freeing up nitrates so you should see it rise over time. Then it becomes a balancing act in the ecosystem.

Yes the wavemaker will help tremendously! Some algae cannot stick to surfaces so it helps blow it off.

Sounds good! I have a cuc too a bunch of snails! Last I checked my amonia was 0 but I had some nitrates .8 and now it’s 0

 

[Tahoe61]

A wave maker is essential in this hobby. You want increased oxygenation and gas exchange. Just a little stress or bacterial bloom and the tank will go south.

The initial algae and diatom stages are mostly unavoidable if you start with dry rock and sand. BUT you shouldn't not any bacteria products until you get a wave maker or power head.

Once you get more flow consider adding some live sand, rock or rubble from a reputable distributor like Tampa Bay.

You are off to a good start.

:)

 

[jacobcoral]

A wave maker is essential in this hobby. You want increased oxygenation and gas exchange. Just a little stress or bacterial bloom and the tank will go south.

The initial algae and diatom stages are mostly unavoidable if you start with dry rock and sand. BUT you shouldn't not any bacteria products until you get a wave maker or power head.

Once you get more flow consider adding some live sand, rock or rubble from a reputable distributor like Tampa Bay.

You are off to a good start.

:)

The White rock you see was dry. The big purple one in the middle was Live rock. I believe all the sand was live too. I have a tiny wave maker I’ll add right away.

 

[Uncle99]

I just set up his tank about a month ago and it’s starting to get brown algae. It is still not cycled yet. Does anyone have any recommendations to get rid of this? Should I dose bacteria or get a UV sterilizer?

It must be cycled or the fish would have suffocated.

 

[jacobcoral]

It must be cycled or the fish would have suffocated.

I added Fritz turbo start with fish as soon as i set it up

 

[jacobcoral]

I added Fritz turbo start with fish as soon as i set it up

The fish have seemed perfectly normal the whole time.

 

[Uncle99]

The fish have seemed perfectly normal the whole time.

That because it is cycled.

 

[jacobcoral]

That because it is cycled.

I’ve tested it numerous times and I still havnt gone over 1 nitrate

 

[jimk60]

By the age of your tank I would say this is probably diatoms. It should clear up on its own is a few weeks. After that the algae will probably set in so as recommended get some surface agitation and

I’ve tested it numerous times and I still havnt gone over 1 nitrate

cleanup crew.

 

[jacobcoral]

By the age of your tank I would say this is probably diatoms. It should clear up on its own is a few weeks. After that the algae will probably set in so as recommended get some surface agitation and


cleanup crew.

Sounds good do you think crabs would help? Or hermits I just have snails.

 

[rcpiv93]

To answer your question directly, yes, this is part of the ugly stages. Diatom algae feed off of the silicates in your tank's silicone. This will resolve itself when the available silicates are gone. Give it a couple of weeks and this stage will pass.

 

[jimk60]

Sounds good do you think crabs would help? Or hermits I just have snails.

A couple hermits wouldn't be bad. i wouldn't get any other type at this point unless you really want a particular crab.

 

[Uncle99]

I’ve tested it numerous times and I still havnt gone over 1 nitrate

A bit low at 1ppm.
If phosphate is too low, the system starves and maturing slows.

I’d be running 2-5ppm and .1ppm phosphate so everyone’s getting fed, thus increasing population of your micro friends which can be very very effective at cleaning rocks and making sand white.

These are the algae’s and bacteria and pods stuff that coat our hard surfaces, and “process” our water.

A few snails, sure. Crabs ok but may become a problem down the road and once they understand you feed the fish, they clean little.

 

[jabberwock]

I added Fritz turbo start with fish as soon as i set it up

No, this is not a good way to start. Clowns are tough. They can survive a lot.

You don't need clean up crew yet. They will starve. I can't tell you how to go backwards, so just don't do anything but regular husbandry for a long time.

 

[exnisstech]

It will get worse and is just part of the process. Your rocks are never going to stay white no matter what CUC you add. Sorry im a realist ;)

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is a normal part of cycling and tank maturity and can occur even with mature tanks. Reducing white light intensity will help a little but not stop process. Silicates often are contributors from new rock and sand and will slowly dissipate