Hi all,
Long time reader and researcher. Finally took the plunge a few weeks ago and am ecstatic to be a part of everything this is.
I am running the fluval evo 13.5 with about 15 lbs dry rock and 1" caribsea live sand around.
Started off dosing ammonia, had used instant ocean bio-spira to get moving with cycling. Took a few days to get nitrite readings, maybe another week to start reading nitrate, and three more days to read nitrates with zero nitrites ...
Within a day or two of reading nitrates, started seeing the brownish coloration appearing on sand and live rock. Has expanded over last two days.
Have a few emerald crabs and hermits in the tank now, and also added a maroon lightning clown (beautiful) once nitrites had dropped to zero (of course I also stopped dosing ammonia as soon as these guys went in).
Wanted to check what this growth is, relative to where I might be in the initial algae phases.
Are these diatoms? Look similar to diatoms in my freshwater tanks...
Additionally, any guidance on when to start using things like purigen, charcoal and/or chemipure.
Is it too soon for those? Do I want to let my nitrates build a bit (5-10ppm) for a little while?
Thanks to anyone for your time and support. Really excited to be a part of this with all of you.
Long time reader and researcher. Finally took the plunge a few weeks ago and am ecstatic to be a part of everything this is.
I am running the fluval evo 13.5 with about 15 lbs dry rock and 1" caribsea live sand around.
Started off dosing ammonia, had used instant ocean bio-spira to get moving with cycling. Took a few days to get nitrite readings, maybe another week to start reading nitrate, and three more days to read nitrates with zero nitrites ...
Within a day or two of reading nitrates, started seeing the brownish coloration appearing on sand and live rock. Has expanded over last two days.
Have a few emerald crabs and hermits in the tank now, and also added a maroon lightning clown (beautiful) once nitrites had dropped to zero (of course I also stopped dosing ammonia as soon as these guys went in).
Wanted to check what this growth is, relative to where I might be in the initial algae phases.
Are these diatoms? Look similar to diatoms in my freshwater tanks...
Additionally, any guidance on when to start using things like purigen, charcoal and/or chemipure.
Is it too soon for those? Do I want to let my nitrates build a bit (5-10ppm) for a little while?
Thanks to anyone for your time and support. Really excited to be a part of this with all of you.