I am in the process of cycling a reef tank. Due to circumstances beyond my control, my family and I have been out of town for 2 weeks. Upon returning home I found a brown alge growth I believe to be part of the diatom bloom. This tank was setup with cured live rock and live sand used to aid in cycling.
some specifics about the tank:
While out of town 6 hours of 10k lights daily on a timer
actinic lights left off while out of town.
test results
PH: 8.3
NO2: <.05 but not quite 0
NO3: <.25 but not quite 0
Ammonia: <.25 but not quite 0
Alk: 2.9-3.6 range
Temp: 79
SG: 1.025
I guess my questions are will the diatoms go away completely and how long does this process normally take. Since I was unable to do a water change since the tank was setup I was planning a 25% change tomorrow. Does that sound correct?
Also are my water quality test "normal" for this stage or should I be doing looking for something? Its hard to determine where we are in the cycle since I have not seen any of the cycle with my own eyes. Any help you experts can give is appriciated.
some specifics about the tank:
While out of town 6 hours of 10k lights daily on a timer
actinic lights left off while out of town.
test results
PH: 8.3
NO2: <.05 but not quite 0
NO3: <.25 but not quite 0
Ammonia: <.25 but not quite 0
Alk: 2.9-3.6 range
Temp: 79
SG: 1.025
I guess my questions are will the diatoms go away completely and how long does this process normally take. Since I was unable to do a water change since the tank was setup I was planning a 25% change tomorrow. Does that sound correct?
Also are my water quality test "normal" for this stage or should I be doing looking for something? Its hard to determine where we are in the cycle since I have not seen any of the cycle with my own eyes. Any help you experts can give is appriciated.
