[minireefn]

Hey gang, I have my new 29g tank running now for one and 1/2 weeks. Started off with live sand, cured rock and pure-well water which I had tested with results of NO chlorine, metals, irons, and pH at 7.8 before mixing with coralife salt and put into tank. Ran tank for one week, re-tested saltwater with excellent results= pH 8.0, dKH 12, Salinity 1.022, NO amnonia, phosphate or nitrite, and Ca++ at 400. Added two small chromis and two small damsal fish on day 10 (just last Saturday) as well as benificial bacteria. Also, left protien skimmer off for 48hrs. as to not suck up the added benefical bacteria. Today (Monday), I have diatom (brown algae) covering the live rock and starting on the sand. I re-checked water and still no amnonia, nitite of phos. Have good bright lighting and oxygenation. Fish are doing well. Is this just a normal cycle? Or do I need to be worried? Should I get some snails and crabs to help remove brown algae (diatom)? Should I start adding some corals to compete. Could there be salicate in the water? If so how do I test for that.
Please HELP!!
KenW.

[Ninong]

I wouldn't be concerned if I were you. A diatom bloom is considered a normal part of a new-tank cycle. It is usually gone within two weeks even if you do nothing about it. I would suggest that you gradually raise your specific gravity to 1.025-1.026, which would be a lot more natural than your present 1.022.

[FireEater]

Originally Posted by minireefn

Is this just a normal cycle?

Yes, it is still cycling. Give it a few more weeks or so.

Originally Posted by minireefn

Should I start adding some corals to compete.

No, patience is the key to success in this hobby.

[minireefn]

Originally Posted by Ninong

It is usually gone within two weeks even if you do nothing about it. I would suggest that you gradually raise your specific gravity to 1.025-1.026, which would be a lot more natural than your present 1.022.

Thanks, this eases my mind some. Will the brown algae start to dissapear or will it need to be removed? I was planning on adding more salt to achieve 1.025 salint. Just was being carefull not to go over-board. Also, just in case, is there a way to check for salicate in the water?
TY,
KenW

[minireefn]

Originally Posted by FireEater

Yes, it is still cycling. Give it a few more weeks or so.

Will it go away on it's own or will I need to remove it? I'm not sure what elements will stop it from growing or make it go away if I have nothing to remove it. Please enlighten me.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by minireefn

Thanks, this eases my mind some. Will the brown algae start to dissapear or will it need to be removed?

It should disappear on its own once it exhausts the available silicate. You will want to clean the glass of the tank frequently so that you can see in.

I was planning on adding more salt to achieve 1.025 salint. Just was being carefull not to go over-board.

Don't add salt to the tank. What you should do is use saltwater for evaporation replacement instead of freshwater until your salinity is up to where you want it to be.

Also, just in case, is there a way to check for salicate in the water?
TY,
KenW

Yes, there are test kits for silicate. I wouldn't bother with this if I were you. However, you may wish to test your source freshwater at some point if you have any doubts about it. It's up to you to figure out if you should be worried about your source water or not.