Newbie to the hobby and to the site

T

tramore

New member
Hello!

I'm a newbie to this hobby as well as to this site. Somebody mentioned this site, so I thought I would check it out. Seems like there's a ton of info to sift through.

I'm a cycling my 55gal tank right now. I have some LR, 2 shrimp, 5 crabs, 5 snails and a foxface in the tank. I'm on day 5 of the cycling process. I've tested for ammonia today and it still reads at zero.

My question at this point is, and I'm sorry if it's a typical "newbie" question that has been answered a million times, but I'm noticing some brown algae in my tank already. I hear it spreads rapidly and isn't good for the tank. What do I need to do to rid it? Add some more bacti-vital?

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated! So glad to know there are sooo many enthusiates close by!
 
Re: Newbie to the hobby and to the site

I wouldn't worry about the algae right now. It tends to come and go, especially this early in a tank's life cycle.

The bacti-vital is (like many, many things in this hobby) a waste of money in my opinion. Your live rock, etc. is a very good seed source of bacteria. In fact, it would be much more difficult to try to prevent the right bacteria from growing in your tank...

Have you tested for nitrite or nitrate?

Good luck.
 
If the brown algae is like a dusting on the rocks, sand, etc... then it's just diatoms. Perfectly normal, won't hurt anything, and will clear on its own in time.
 
Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you for your wisdom. It is a dusting on my LR and sand, so I guess I won't worry about it. I was researching online about it and I guess they always give you worst case scenarios.

This is such a fascinating hobby. I hope to learn more from each of you as I venture further into this.

Any insight or wisdom you can give would be greatly appreciated!

:D
 
Oops... forgot

Oops... forgot

I have tested for nitrite last night and it reads at zero as well, so I guess all is normal, correct?
 
Diatoms usually pop up for a couple of reasons. 1st is silicate in the water. I suggest (if you can) switch to RO/DI (Reverse Osmosis/DeIonized) water. The RO/DI process will pull out almost all impurities in the water. Without silicates the diatoms will eventually burn themselves out. The other cause of diatoms are nitrite. Usually you'll have them in your tank at about the 2nd weed of your cycle. The combination of a new tank (with lots of silicate on the surface area of the glass, all the silicate in the tap water and the nitrite from your cycle) there really is no way to avoid diatoms the first couple of weeks you've started the tank.

If your worried about the look of the sand you can GENTLY sift through it. (dont kick up to much sand and cause a sand storm) And you can wipe down the sides of the tank (I really like the MagFloat if you havn't seen it, check it out) But for the rocks, there isn't a whole lot you can do.

Definitely think about switching to RO/DI water. You can get a RO/DI 100 gallon/day unit for about $200 or you can buy it by the gallon. Most grocery stores and wal-mart have RO water for sale or machines that dispence it, and you can get RO/DI water for about $2/5Gallons at Coral Island.

P.S. Just thought of something, what kind of sand did you use to start up the tank. Make sure you use sand ment for saltwater. If you use something else like sand from the desert or some other type of sand you may never get rid of diatoms because of all the silicate in the sand.
 
I did use tap water for the initial fill but will definitely be switching to RO/DI for future water changes.

I used aragonite for the substrate. So hopefully I'll be able to get rid of it.

I do have a mag float and just scraped the sides of the tank with my handy-dandy scraper.

I have a couple of conches, which I forgot to mention in my original post that seeem to be stirring up the sand a bit, so that's good.

Thanks for your reply!
 
Any new members should pm Mrs_Witchdoctor so she can put you on the email list for the address for the next meeting. You can also go by Southwest Reef Company and talk to her directly. Her name is Jen, she wont be there until next week I think.

You dont need to bring anything but yourself and maybe some sort of snack since we have a pot luck type meeting. Other than that just show up. :)
 
Please consider moving the inverts/foxface out of your tank until you fully cycle. It is too stressful on them!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10232805#post10232805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Catawaba
Please consider moving the inverts/foxface out of your tank until you fully cycle. It is too stressful on them!
Click to expand...

Agreed! Also, once the cycle is complete, you can add 6-12 or so cerith snails and they will tear through the diatoms on the rocks and sand in no time.
 
Really ??!

Really ??!

So you think I need to move my fish out of the tank? I was told by a trusted LFS (won't name which one) that this is absolutely fine during the cycle and in fact, would benefit the cycle.

I have no where else at this poi
 
Sorry, my son is sitting right here and pushed a button...

as I was saying, I have no where else at this point to put the little creatures.

They're going to have to stay in there at this point.

blahh....
 
Call Rob at SWR at 884-0901

or Eric at Coral Island at 830-9188

Explain the situation and I am sure they will hold the fish at their store until your tank is fully cycled and stable, unless one of those guys are the 'trusted' LFS, I doubt it tho. Those guys know better than that.

If both those are bust then wait until someone else chimes in, they may offer to hold them while your tank finishes its cycle. Ahh...the benefits of having a local reef club.
 
Re: Really ??!

Re: Really ??!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10234853#post10234853 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tramore
So you think I need to move my fish out of the tank? I was told by a trusted LFS (won't name which one) that this is absolutely fine during the cycle and in fact, would benefit the cycle.

I have no where else at this poi
Click to expand...

That 'trusted' LFS employee isn't a true marine aquariust and should not receive your business any longer. I think it is totally appropriate to name them here. Best wishes.
 
I can't name the store... let's just say it's one of the three local stores. They've spent a TON of time with me as far as coaching me through the whole saltwater setup, so I hope to give them the benefit of the doubt. Plus, I read a post stating that the employees read this forum and don't wanna stir anything up.

I bought the tank used and used some of the LR and substrate that was already in the tank, so would that make a difference as to whether or not I am not able to put a fish/inverts this early? I bought additional LR at this LFS to help cycle.

IYO, will my fish/inverts not survive the cycle? I have an empty tank that I can put some water in but wouldn't that basically be the same thing as far as starting a whole new cycle??

Crazy. Thanks again for your help. Truly appreciated.
 
There are too many variables involved for me to predict your success. To me, it boils down to needless cruelty to animals. Imagine having to sit in a room filled with the smell of some noxious fumes for a few days.......You'll survive, but you'll suffer. Just keep a very close eye on your levels and have water changes ready to go.
 
If you bought the tank and the live rock used, I think your under the wrong impression. You are not starting a cycle, but restarting an established system. As long as you did not leave the lr or the sand out of water for a extended period of time (like 1-2days) your lr and sand bed still have the established bacteria in place.

Keep an eye on your levels, but as mentioned before, you should always know your tanks condition before adding any type of live stock. It is a mistake we have all probably made.
 
Sorry...

Was completely under the wrong impression. I am restarting an established system. (I told you I was a newbie.) I am still learning, so please bear with me. I apologize in advance for any future stupid questions, as well. I'll keep them to a minimum. :-)

All my readings are within the normal range and my foxface and inverts are thriving. All is well and am not worried about their well being at this point.

Will add some more to the CUC in a few more weeks to help with the diatom bloom. Thanks to the folks at the LFS who have spent a TON of time coaching me. (Hi Guys!) It's been a fascinating learning curve.
 
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