When to expect the nasty phases

NormanB · Nov 17, 2019

I'm wondering when I'll see the diatom, cyano, etc. parts of the tank cycle.

Currently, 11 days into the cycle of a new 75 g with live rock. There is 80 pounds of Caribsea Fiji Pink substrate (not live) and 60 pounds of rock from KP Aquatics.

Reading as of this morning:

Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0.03 ppm
Nitrate 5.0 ppm
Calcium 450 ppm
Alkalinity 4.0 meq/l
Salinity 35 ppt
Temp 78 F
Phosphate Unknown
Magnesium Unknown

Using Instant Ocean
RODI for all water
Reef Breeder Photon 48-V2+
Reef Octopus Classic 150-INT
Running Carbon in a BRS reactor
55 gallon sump for equipment
ATO

Occupants:

3 small green chromis
many crabs and snails

Thanks!!

ndrwater · Nov 17, 2019

Hopefully you never see Dynos. Cyano and the rest, within a few months. Ride it out, take things slow. You'll get there soon enough

KrisReef · Nov 17, 2019

Turn the lights off and you'll never see the nasties.

ahiggins · Nov 17, 2019

Dinos and cyano aren’t part of the “uglies”. They happen when your nutrients bottom out (nitrates and phosphates). Dinos came for me (in a totally dry start up) around week 5-6. If you have true live rock, you may never see a diatom bloom, just the normal film algae and some diatoms in corners, rocks.

taricha · Nov 18, 2019

I love kp. How are you liking their live rock? I've never gotten any of that from them.

Some bits of evidence here and there accumulating that good live rock makes a huge difference in avoiding early tank uglies.
But watch for 3 months or so and see.

Katrina71 · Nov 18, 2019

I have rock envy.

NormanB · Nov 18, 2019

ndrwater said:
Hopefully you never see Dynos. Cyano and the rest, within a few months. Ride it out, take things slow. You'll get there soon enough

Thanks for your comments!

KrisReef said:
Turn the lights off and you'll never see the nasties.

Well, that's one way of looking at it....hmmmmmm maybe not the direction I'll head.

ahiggins said:
Dinos and cyano aren’t part of the “uglies”. They happen when your nutrients bottom out (nitrates and phosphates). Dinos came for me (in a totally dry start up) around week 5-6. If you have true live rock, you may never see a diatom bloom, just the normal film algae and some diatoms in corners, rocks.

Maybe uglies was not the best description to use, but you know what I mean...all the less than desirable phases a new tank goes through.

Yes, as true live rock as you can get these days, my understanding is KP's rock though man-made has been in the water for a fairly long time.

I appreciate your reply. Thanks!

NormanB · Nov 18, 2019

taricha said:
I love kp. How are you liking their live rock? I've never gotten any of that from them.

Some bits of evidence here and there accumulating that good live rock makes a huge difference in avoiding early tank uglies.
But watch for 3 months or so and see.

I really like their rock, it looks amazing and cycled the tank quickly.

I'm way behind on posting build pics...I've got them just need to upload then post there.

I'll keep an eye out...Thanks