Brown algae?

[srothenberg]

It's diatoms correct? My CUC should take care of it? I am on day 9 of my tank being up and my ammonia has been zero for awhile due to me taking rock and sand from another tank giving me a short cycle. The snails should eat the algae off the glass and the hermit crabs get it off of the sand? What is causing the algae? I am using tap water.

 

[yosemite sam]

Originally Posted by srothenberg
http:///forum/post/2776055
What is causing the algae? I am using tap water.
You likely just answered your own question. Have you tested your tap water for nitrates, silicates, phosphates, etc.? Tap water is generally not very good to use in a saltwater tank because it can contain lots of things we want to keep out. A good RO/DI water filter is an important piece of equipment you should think about getting.
Diatoms are very common in new tanks, what are your water parameters, and what lighting do you have?

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
http:///forum/post/2776267
Tap water is generally very good to use in a saltwater tank because it can contain lots of things we want to keep you.
This sentence confuses me. I read it three times and think I know what you are trying to say...
Tap water is generally not very good to use in a saltwater tank because it contains lots of things you don't want in your tank.
This I agree with.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
http:///forum/post/2776267
You likely just answered your own question. Have you tested your tap water for nitrates, silicates, phosphates, etc.? Tap water is generally very good to use in a saltwater tank because it can contain lots of things we want to keep you. A good RO/DI water filter is an important piece of equipment you should think about getting.
Diatoms are very common in new tanks, what are your water parameters, and what lighting do you have?
This is normal on a new setup. It shouls subside in a couple weeks.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by srothenberg
http:///forum/post/2776055
It's diatoms correct? My CUC should take care of it? I am on day 9 of my tank being up and my ammonia has been zero for awhile due to me taking rock and sand from another tank giving me a short cycle. The snails should eat the algae off the glass and the hermit crabs get it off of the sand? What is causing the algae? I am using tap water.
Like Sam said,
it's common in new tanks. It should subside on it's own in a couple weeks.

 

[yosemite sam]

Thanks! I didn't catch my typos there, it was a long day! I definitely meant that you DON'T want to use tap water.

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
http:///forum/post/2776530
Thanks! I didn't catch my typos there, it was a long day! I definitely meant that you DON'T want to use tap water.

It was obvious you knew what you were talking about, but your fingers were not cooperating.

 

[rotarygeek]

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam
http:///forum/post/2776530
Thanks! I didn't catch my typos there, it was a long day! I definitely meant that you DON'T want to use tap water.
Depends on your local water i guess. I was using RO water from walmarts water machine, but lugging that 5 gallon jug every like 3 days sucked, so i quit. I use tap water now, and i actually see an improvement in all my levels. No wierd algea beyond the norm, no phosphates at all. Low (15 or so, very good for my lack of water changes) nitrates, and healthy everything.

 

[socal57che]

Tap water can contain everything from copper to pharmaceuticals, but, yes, YMMV.
I don't use it anymore, because I can't possibly test for all the garbage that could be in it.

 

[srothenberg]

I just want to make sure that its going to subside as my entire tank and sand bed has a rust look going on and its awfully ugly. I am planning on an RODI unit soon, in another month or so so that I can begin water changing with good water.