HELP ! MOM "SURPRISED" ME

[jay0705]

Give it tomm and see

 

[kunathm]

Give it tomm and see

So test in the morning, should I do a full battery of testing?

And really this brown algae crap is making me mad !

And how often should I feed ?

Abdvthe live rock and frags ... reef roids ?

 

[jay0705]

No need to feed the rock. Once should be ok daily for what u have

 

[kunathm]

Amonioa has creeped up to the colors between .25 and .50 ????

Nitrates still 20

 

[lmforbis]

Do a water change and be prepared to do another in the morning

 

[kunathm]

I think one of the frags isn't doing so hot either ? Should I take it out ?

5 gallon change done and 4 gallons ready for morning .... ugh !!!

 

[kunathm]

Also I have green Algea now ? And still the brown ....... ???

 

[kunathm]

Amonioa is now down to between 0 and .25

 

[lmforbis]

Do another water change to get it even lower. Green algae will help remove some of the ammonia.
You have now entered the uglies stage. It could go on for quite a while so don't get discouraged.

 

[kunathm]

Do another water change to get it even lower. Green algae will help remove some of the ammonia.
You have now entered the uglies stage. It could go on for quite a while so don't get discouraged.

4 gallon change done, no time before work to mix up another batch so that will have to do for a day .....

And how long is a while ?!?! lol I just want a nice pretty tank! Lol

 

[lmforbis]

It can take a few months to fully stabilize. In my experience larger tanks stabilize faster than smaller tanks. In reality I wouldn't consider any tank truely mature enough that there are no algae blooms for a year or so.
Saltwater is all about patience. Don't do anything too fast, don't over stock, don't over feed, keep nitrate and phosphate (these feed the algae) in check. Don't over react to potential issues. Always ask before reacting. Don't add anything to the water you can't test for. Always quarantine new fish no matter where they come from. Lighting needs to be correct. Coral needs wavelengths more in the blue range and algae needs more in the red range. Having lights meant for reef tanks will help discouraging algae.
It can be frustrating in the beginning but if you stick to it it is a very rewarding hobby.

 

[jay0705]

Agreed

 

[kunathm]

Amonioa back down to zero ! Whew ! And now when looking at the brown/green algea what should I be paying attention to ?

Test daily for a week to make sure things stay balanced ? Water change in a week regardless?

 

[lmforbis]

Sounds like a plan.

 

[kunathm]

Amonioa is hold strong at zero, 2 days now
Nitrates are at 5
Calcium at 500


Some parts of the tank and some live rock is spotless, and the rest is a green mess !

Still be patient? Let it all come together ?

 

[jay0705]

Yup patients lol

 

[kunathm]

Is it supposed to be wavy hair like green algae ?

 

[jay0705]

Thats a normal type yea

 

[kunathm]

Red algea ?!?!?!