Tank cycled, update video.

[maff2026]

Tank is cycled, skimmer running, UV power head running well, main canister and pre filter running well. Parameters excellent. At the brown algae stage.

 

[maff2026]

Parameters:
PH 8.3
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15
Phosphate 0.015
KH 10.5
Calcium 420
magnesium 1300
Fish fed on brine shrimp.

 

[Uncle99]

Doesn’t your UV sterilize the good stuff?
Never understood the use of UV unless targeting something specific in the water column.

Nevertheless, looks great and enjoy.

 

[maff2026]

Doesn’t your UV sterilize the good stuff?
Never understood the use of UV unless targeting something specific in the water column.

Nevertheless, looks great and enjoy.

Indeed it does. When you are cycling the tank, you can't have the UV or the skimmer running. Bacteria is pulled out of the water columb by either. Once you have the bacteria established in both the live rock, sand and biofilter the bacteria in the water column lessens as it gets established elsewhere.
I had my UV and skimmer turned off for three weeks while I was cycling my tank, during that time the brown algae was given a free ride and that's why its gone bonkers. Now the UV is back on we can hope to destroy residual algae in the water column without harming the bacteria in the live rock, sand and biofilter.

 

[maff2026]

The silicates in the sand and the nitrates are feeding the brown algae and will continue to do so through the rest of the ugly stage. A decent CUC that doesn't feed on the macro algae will help me to make the ugly stage look more desirable but I'll need to feed the Trochus snails with algae wafers after they demolish the brown algae and keep them healthy. It's all good stuff. Didn't expect the brown algae this early but it came in on a live rock I used to cycle my tank from my LFS. It's here now so lets get stuck into it.