Tan stuff appearing in new tank

cuteclown

cuteclown

Member
Hi,
I have a new saltwater tank set up. And it is cycling rightnow. The ph is 8.4, Nitrites are 1, ammonia is 0.5, nitrates are 5. I have a 75 gallon hexagon tank. The temp is ~77F. I have the standard lighting and is on 12 hours a day. We are in our 4th week of the cycle. We have about 8 pounds of live rock, and several pounds of base rock (not live) also, 30 pounds of live sand. We have about 7 snails, and 6 hermit crabs. 2 Damsels that we have had for 10 days. We are new to this, and think the people on this site really know what they are talking about, and like to help others for the love of the hobby. My husband was the one who wanted all this, and I didn't. Now I can't stop reading about it, and looking at fish and pictures. Everytime I get on the computer, I spend way too long researching. Anyway, we have some orange-tan stuff appearing on our sand, and live rock. What could this be? and is it harmful? Should I just wait for the cycle to be over? Also, how long is it expected for me to get any more fish? Thanks for any help!!! :help:
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
basic lifeforms....algae but they will go away...basicall the way i understand it is they are the first to appear , then bigger stuff eats them...etc...you get the idea
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
no, in fact i think they are a must in establishing a tank...as the tank gets older they become more stable and the readings hardly move...i never mess with my 55 gal anymore..just reg maintenance .. it is 3.5 years old...but i have a 2 month old 29gal i am fidgiting with almost daily...so they will settle down
 
aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
new tanks will go trough algea cycles,brown,green,red algea. after this is when your tank starts to mature.
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
new tanks will go trough algea cycles,brown,green,red algea. after this is when your tank starts to mature.

yup and you will worry at every one of them ***)
 
cuteclown

cuteclown

Member
You are right, I will worry each time, So I'm glad you guys told me! I really want to do this right. At first I wanted just fish, but now I really would like to get more into fish and a reef. Is it really difficult to do? Also, my problem is I have a hexagon tank, and someone told me the light couldn't penatrate far enough, because it is too tall. What are your thoughts on this?
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
i have had a fish only tank with live rock (FOWLR) for 3.5 years and i just started into reef 2 months ago and i love it...keep in mind this hobby is more addicting than crack!!
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
sorry didn't answer your ? you can get a light to penetrate almost any tank....if you have the money....but check on the other pages...reef and lighting for help...sorry i just don't know all the specs
 
cuteclown

cuteclown

Member
ok thanks. I have already notices the addiction. In my fresh water tank, I only let my husband buy cheap fish and cheap stuff. I thought I would be the same way. But we just ran out to the lfs because we called them about a big piece of dry rock. It's 18 inches tall . So excited!! the price was $50 for a big dry rock!
I love this stuff ! I am going to have to get another job just to feed my daughter!
 
cjason3041

cjason3041

Member
i spent 260 bucks last friday for...1 emerald crab, 1 cleaner shrimp, some yellow polyps and some green star polyps (those were 50 bucks..but really pretty)...and a new powerhead and power strip with timer...adds up quick
 
joebob7

joebob7

Member
Originally Posted by cjason3041
i have had a fish only tank with live rock (FOWLR) for 3.5 years and i just started into reef 2 months ago and i love it...keep in mind this hobby is more addicting than crack!!

and more expensive!

its totally worth it though the fish are soooo much better and colorful than freshwater or any other pets
 
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