New Tank, New Algae?

reefallen

New member
Well, I've been busy setting up my new SW 75g tank. I've added live sand, rock... Everything seems to be going smoothly... But, now the tank and rocks and sank are beginning to turn a rust color!!

I realize it's probably part of the cycling process and it's probably an algae of some sort... but it's freaking me out a tad. OK. More than a tad. The rocks were beautifully colored before and are now being covered by this rust colored yuck! I believe it's too early to put in crabs or snails.

I'm going to be getting some more live rock (already cured) and some "cured?/live" sand from someone else's tank this weekend. I think that should bring my tank to being fully cycled. It's pretty close now, I think... Then I should be able to add the crabs, etc. What do you think? And what is the rust colored stufff?? I could try to post a pic if it would help. Thanks!
 
reefallen,
<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

It is something you will be dealing with as your tank is new. Once your tank is finished cycling, and you start water changes, things should start to get better. You can start putting in your clean up crew, and they will help some with your algae problem. Do you have a skimmer on your setup?
 
The rust colored stuff is called Brown diatoms. It is perfectly normal in a new tank and it will go away on its own as the tank stabilizes and matures.
As for the adding a cleanup crew, I would wait until the nitrites and ammonia are zero for say a week, just to make sure they will stay there.
You can blow the algae off with a turkey baster if it bothers you.
 
Yes, I have a protein skimmer, it is a Berlin Turbo Skimmer. I'm also going to get, I think a lighting setup of an IceCap 660 VHO setup with 4 110 watt. I'm still learning, so... I know it's a good idea and set up...

So far, I haven't placed the rocks exactly where I want them. I was going to get base rock and happened upon some more live rock, so I am going to fill the tank with all live rock instead of a combo of live rock and base rock.

I am going to hang/suspend some from the top of the aquarium and create a type of "cave look" on one side of the tank. I may use some PVC for "shelving of the rest or just go natural, it depends on what the rock is "willing to do". I figure that according to what I've heard, everyone rearranges everything anyway, so it probably doesn't really matter.

Any pointers?
 
Ive never heard of anyone suspending the rock. Maybe you could get half inch pvc and build 3D cubes and stack the rock around them to make caves. Im not sure how your going to suspend them, But you dont want them moving around With the current in the tank.

Also if your still cycling you could cut back on your lighting which should reduce some of the algae that is growing.
 
Sometimes it's easy to play with your live rock outside of the tank. Try stacking it different ways on the floor, and if you come up with something you like, take it apart and place in order on the floor. Then re-assemble it in the tank and get it right the first time. This may save you from scratching your tank.
 
I agree, breaking down your tank later to rearrange everything is a pain in the you know where!!! Youll have fish by then and possibly corals its easier to get it how you like it the first time.
 
I'm planning on suspending the rock by using acrylic rods that go across the length of the top of my tank. I will then use plastic tie backs to attach the rocks to the rod. It's actually very easy. You can also use PVC pipe, but then you see it for a while. It enables you to get a total 3-D effect! Top, sides, back and bottom! A total cave!

If you stack your rock outside the tank, do you just use a wall or something to stack it against?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6924016#post6924016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefallen
If you stack your rock outside the tank, do you just use a wall or something to stack it against?
Yes, if you have some plywood, you can do it next to your tank.
 
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