? about cycle

[arredondojason]

So got my tank to spike ammonia and the nitrite then nitrates. As of now my test is like this.

Ammonia-0
nitrites-0
Po4 - 0
cal-490
alk - 12
mag - 1500
ph - 8.0
nitrates-20ppm

I know my mag is high but I am doing it on purpose trying to get 1600 so not worried about it.
My ? is that now that has all happened I am getting little brown diatoms starting to pop up all of the sand and a little on the rock just wondering how long this should last?
thanks for any help.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Tough to say, but I would believe its going to be self limiting. What are you using to measure PO4? What do you have for lighting?

 

[arredondojason]

im running 3 250W MH with 2 6ft VHO super atenics.
using kent test kit and api test kit and getting the same reading. but i am running GFO and using thrive phosphate remover.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Then I have to believe its a self limiting, new tank instability bloom. Dissolved organics in the rocks my be fueling it, but you appear to have taken the appropriate counter measures. Stay the course.

Are your bulbs new?

 

[arredondojason]

no they are about 6 month old radiums that I am using that came with the tank when I got it I am waiting till I add in some sps to throw in the new bulbs. I figured it was just new tank syndrom.

 

[Capt_Cully]

Bulbs could be contributing, but yeah, new tank is more likely IME.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

New tank syndrome for sure. As long as you have good long term nutrient control methods you won't have a lasting problem - but, even the "best" most over-built tanks have these sorts of blooms.

It's important to remember that there's a LOT going on in a new tank besides just the parameters we commonly talk about or try to measure. For instance, the growth you're seeing is probably diatoms, and they're probably being fueled by elevated silica levels, which is typical in a new tank - once things level out, they'll starve off and die out, and you'll be all set.

 

[arredondojason]

ya thats what I thought it was but just checking its been a while since I had to cycle a new tank and since I moved from up state new york I had to get a new tank. Thanks for all the help everyone.