brown algae

[AndrewBobDrew]

Let me give you a log of what I have done so I can diagnose the problem and you know everything

10 gallon tank
filtration system
good lighting
Live rock
Aragonite sand

The tank has been running for about a week. I added Marc Weiss BActer Vital to speed up the cycle, Reef bulder to increase alkalinity cos Ph was 7.9 and meq/l was 1.8 but both have seemed to increase. I use natural sea water.I added some live rock and then the first of the Reef builder on Tuesday and since then brown algae has been taking over the LR and sand. Is this diatoms. Should I now bring in a cleaning crew? Does this mean the cycle has finished so I can bring in fish?

Any help will be great

[NoSump]

Let me give you a log of what I have done so I can diagnose the problem and you know everything

10 gallon tank
filtration system
good lighting
Live rock
Aragonite sand

The tank has been running for about a week. I added Marc Weiss BActer Vital to speed up the cycle, Reef bulder to increase alkalinity cos Ph was 7.9 and meq/l was 1.8 but both have seemed to increase. I use natural sea water.I added some live rock and then the first of the Reef builder on Tuesday and since then brown algae has been taking over the LR and sand. Is this diatoms. Should I now bring in a cleaning crew? Does this mean the cycle has finished so I can bring in fish?

Any help will be great

AndrewBobDrew:

I'm sure that some of the "pros" on this site will give you a more in-depth response, but the short answer is - although it sounds like a typical diatom algae phase, one week seems a bit early for diatoms to appear. Diatom algae blooms clear up after about two to three weeks without additives or critters.

Was your rock fully cured before addition to your tank? If not, than you will need to wait for the rock to fully cycle (another 3 - 4 weeks) before considering the addition of lifestock.

You mentioned your PH, but did not mention your amonia, nitrite, or nitrate levels. Those variables are the key indicators of the status of your tanks cycle. I would assume that at one week, you have not completed the cycle and are not yet ready for the clean-up crew (or fish). When you are ready (when nitrates are down around 20 - 30 ppm), there are some great threads on this site that discuss the merits of different clean-up crewmembers.

Finally, many experienced reefers are skeptical of the claims made by Marc Weis products. With natural seawater, and live rock, you really do not need much in the way of additives - patience is the key.

Good luck.

[AndrewBobDrew]

Thanks for the replies. My nitrite test is 0 this morning and has been from the beginning. I am getting my water tested at the pet shop tomorrow to make sure. the rock was fully cured straight out the tank into mine. The first rock did have a journey of a day in a bag with moisture. Will the cycle still be coming or is it possible that the cycle was just really short?

I know patience is the key and don't want dead fish on my hands, just a question. If the cycle has finished why is it important to wait further?

[Spick]

Thanks for the replies. My nitrite test is 0 this morning and has been from the beginning. I am getting my water tested at the pet shop tomorrow to make sure. the rock was fully cured straight out the tank into mine. The first rock did have a journey of a day in a bag with moisture. Will the cycle still be coming or is it possible that the cycle was just really short?

I know patience is the key and don't want dead fish on my hands, just a question. If the cycle has finished why is it important to wait further?

Your tank is definuitely cycling... NOT finished cycling... what yu are currently experiencing is teh first of the cycle, your diatom bloom, usualyl takes a couple weeks to start or more, however its a good thing if it has begun sooner. be patient, you may add your clean up crew. BUT NO FISH! most ppl say or THINK you can add fish during a cycle which yu can however it is extremely harmful to them, and will affect their behavriour in teh future (aggression). It's been one week, simply sit back and relax and enjoy the Live Rock you have, make sure yu have enough current, make sure yu have the right aquascape and in a month or so, then yu may be able to think about adding a fish. Any more questions feel free to post we're here to help.

[AndrewBobDrew]

for a tank this small what should my cleanup crew be?

My problem initially was not coming on here before I bought the nano but project in the works to buy a 75g and then the party will get started

My problem now is this waiting game. My live rock doesn't swim, eat, make babies and just sleeps all day - must be noctrnal!

[Spick]

Well my friend we have had to play the waiting game, some take risks and pay for it, some take risk and win. Best bet is to be safe, relax atleast for another month, save some money, cause its an expensive hobby, and then "slowly start" spending. As for your clean up crew for a 10G I would think, 10 snails of a mixed variety eventually would do you fine. For now i would stick to Astrea snaisl though. There isn't enough bacteria in your tank to feed many other snails (ie. Nassarius, Ceriths) You gotta start with teh basic.