Question about a new nano type tank

[newguy1233]

I have been in the process of setting up a 15.8 gallon nano type tank, keep in mind I am totally new to this so I apologize in advance if my questions are trivial. I have a good start for live rock and put in some emerald crabs and hermit crabs few weeks ago followed by 2 yellow gobys and a royal goby last week, evrything is going great the water test are doing well and the salinity is 1.024 The algae is starting to pop up now I now I want the purple type but my question is dose it start out as the brown and green or how dose that part work. I bought the cheaper live rock but put a larger chunk of the good stuff that had the purple all over it.

Thanks in advance and thanks for any and all advice and suggestions.

Joe

[blennydude]

I suggest you get this product called "Purple Up", it does wonders.

[blennydude]

No, don't I just couldn't hold it back. It's an inside joke around here. You will have purple coraline poppin up before you know it, just takes a few weeks as long as your calcium is high enough.

[Ninong]

Hi newguy1233,




I think maybe you're talking about three different things. The purple algae you're talking about is probably coralline algae. The green stuff is probably nuisance green hair algae and the brown stuff might be just diatoms. You will have to try to describe all three of them as best you can. What do they look like to you?

[newguy1233]

OK the Brown after reading the read this before you ask sticky (oops) appears to be diatoms and the purple is on the LR and some of the Hermit crabs. The green is popping up on the LR in some places and then I have like a deep Burgundy color popping up on some LR. Nothing in great amounts just a pit hear and there. I did a good water change last night and wiped off most of the Diatoms from the front and sides of the glass. attached are some of the pics of what I am talking about. From Left to right the first is of the green that has come up on my Purple and the second of more green but a lighter color and the third of the burgundy excuse the picture quality I did it with my phone, wife has the camera

[Ninong]

This is purple coralline algae:

It's considered desirable. In time it will spread to cover all of the rocks in your tank.

I really can't make out what's in your two other photos; however, diatoms are nothing to worry about. They should go away on their own within a couple of weeks after the excess silicate in your aquarium is exhausted.

What are you using as source water to make up your fresh batches of saltwater and what are you using for your topoff water? If you're using tapwater, that might be a source of silicates.

I can't see the green stuff well enough to comment.

[newguy1233]

Thanks and as far as a water source I am using Tap water, I put a conditioner in and add the salt to the desired salinity and temp of course and swap it out. I will use the camera this afternoon and see if I can get a better shot of it. Thanks again for the help.

[Ninong]

Sometimes tapwater presents problems when it comes to very sensitive reef aquariums. That's why most reefkeepers prefer R.O./D.I. (reverse osmosis deionized) water. However, since your aquarium is really quite small, you might consider buying either distilled water or R.O. water.

Distilled water sells for about 58 cents a gallon at places like Wal-Mart Supercenters. Wal-Mart also has Culligan Water machines in the front of their stores that dispense R.O. water for 25 cents a gallon if you bring your own containers. Do not purchase "spring water" or any of the other commercial drinking water. You have to know for sure what's in the "drinking" water.

I would recommend that you consider buying either distilled water or R.O. water. Some LFS sell R.O./D.I. water but it will be more expensive than supermarket R.O. water. Or you could decide to purchase a cheap, portable R.O./D.I. set-up but the cheapest ones run well over a hundred bucks.

[newguy1233]

Interesting, I Know the place here sells the R/O for 55cents a gal. so I might do that the next few times and see how it goes, It is so interesting to see the tank going through all the changes, even my 4 year old is enjoying it.

[dirtbikekid005]

I also have a small nano tank and I purchase my RO Water from a local fish store for $0.50 a gallon for fresh and I also buy my Saltwater for my water changes from them it's $1.00 a gallon