Cycling Tank - What is this growing on my sand?

[eshtog]

I have searched all over, but cannot find anything on this. But, my tank is about 2 weeks into cycling using Dr Tim's One and Only and Ammonium Hydroxide from ACE Hardware method. I have this strange growth in the sand and my water is almost tea color. Anyone know what could be causing this growth and the brown tinted water? I started running carbon last night to see if it will clear up.

 

[billdogg]

diatoms. Normal part of any and all new tanks. They will also come and go seasonally in many tanks. Nothing to worry about. Because it's a new tank, the off colored water is probably algae of some sort, but it could also be dissolved organics. Carbon and/or a skimmer will help

hth

 

[TatorTaco]

That's interesting that the water isn't clear too, but I'd have to backup billdogg and say it's likely algae. I had diatoms and it looked like a lot of brown/copper color stuff covered absolutely everything.

How long are your lights on? That might help control the algae.

 

[jstack]

yea I just had that diatoms/green water a few weeks ago new tank. WATCH your skimmer cup that crap cake's on pretty nasty

 

[eshtog]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't know if it's related but the water was cloudy about a week ago and I decided to turn on my UV. The water cleared up but then about a day or two later the water turned brown. Since then I have decided to turn off the UV. Skimmer is running and I have not been running my lights. Hopefully things will clear up on their own. I am running carbon in my filter socks now for 1 day but I haven't noticed the water clearing up.

 

[eshtog]

I thought I would post this here rather than starting a new thread. I am a bit frustrated with the cycle taking longer then expected. I added ammonium and Dr. Tim's one and only two weeks and 2 days ago. Ammonia readings were around 3-4PPM when first added and now ammonia is at 1PPM, but I still have no nitrites or nitrates. I thought surely by now especially with Dr. Tim's one and only I would have some nitrites and nitrates. Any idea why it is taking so long or is my situation not unusual?

I am a bit concerned as the diatoms growing on the sand and brown water is not something I experienced with my 38G nano tank. BTW my tank is Red Sea Reefer 525XL.