Attack of the brown algae!!!

[old salt]

Started my 29gl tank with some damsels 3 weeks ago... got rid of em last friday and added 30 lbs of LR. Ammonia spiked and dropped, Nitrite & Nitrate are both high (i think nitrite dropped a little from last nite). Now I've got Brown algae growing like crazy... should i leave it?? is it going to cause more die off on my LR (it was uncured btw)??

 

[dlight692000]

it is perfectly normal becuase it is uncured...just leave it

 

[old salt]

Should I add a powerhead? I"m not sure if I'm getting enought movement... the LR seems to be blocking it...

 

[marine qa]

I am no expert, I am cycling my first SW tank now, but I would definately get a powerhead. I have two 170gph powerheads in my 46g. Everything I have ever read, and everyone I ever talked to has said that water movement is important in SW tanks.
As far as the brown algae, I believe that it is a sign that your tank is nearing the end of it's cycle.

 

[bobj]

You are experiencing a diatom bloom which is common in cycling tanks. It will not harm anything and should decrease as the nutrients change.
However, high phosphate and silicate levels will enhance the growth and prolong it.
Sunlight striking the tank can also be a factor in diatom growth.

 

[old salt]

I picked up 1 225 gph powerhead tonite... wow, everything is moving in my 29gl now... I placed it about halfway down in one corner, pushing water across the front of the tank... sound like the right way to do it???

 

[goofieones]

Yep, that is the right place for the power head, if you want you could even add one on the other side. I have two in my tank, and it works out great.

 

[old salt]

I used tap water... lfs... man, everything they say sucks... LOL... I've been hearing here that Walmart usually has a RO water machine... i'll check that and when I start my water changes I'll use it...

 

[krustytheclownfish]

Any fish or inverts that can take care of the diatoms? How about filters?
Old Salt- let me know if you find anything at Walmart about R0 machines. I'm curious.
Thanks.

 

[old salt]

I'll let you know... what I heard was they have a water vending machine that is RO... i'll let ya know here...