What is This?

[kilbys4]

I have a brownish, some lite, some dark, discoloration or growth on my LR,and also a brownish,almost looks like dirt on my CC base. The tank has been up over 2 weeks with only a Damsel in it. Any ideas of what this could be?

 

[kilbys4]

Photos, I hope.

 

[kilbys4]

LR

 

[melissa v.]

That is a normal alge growth(diatoms-or something along that spelling) where your tank is cycling, do you have a cleanup crew (crabs, shrimp etc.) if not go get some and they will help with it, it usually hangs around for about 2 week and then just disappears, do not worry everything is normal.
Melissa V.

 

[kilbys4]

How many crabs and shrimp would be ok? Its a 45 Gal corner tank, and could I add some snails also?
Thanks

 

[melissa v.]

I HAVE A 29 GALLON TANK AND I HAVE 10 SNAILS AND ABOUT 20 CRABS. AND I COULD USE A FEW MORE CRABS, SO I WOULD GET LIKE 1 CRAB PER GALLON OF WATER, I COULD BE WRONG ON THIS AND IF I AM, I AM SURE SOMEONE WILL CORRECT ME ON THIS.
MELISSA V.

 

[slick]

You can get clean up crews from this site and they are awsome. Just click on reef packages to your left.

 

[timo]

You may want to let this algae run it's coarse in the cycle process before you add things to clean it up. It's there for a purpose...to eat up whatever "toxin" that's a part of that process.

 

[timo]

Oh...
and then get your crabs (whom love these things) when the cycle is complete.

 

[melissa v.]

well i got mine before cycle was complete and didn't lose a single crab or snail. but you can choose to do whichever way you want to.
Melissa V.

 

[thomas712]

Originally posted by melissa v.
That is a normal alge growth diatoms.
It usually hangs around for about 2 week and then just disappears, do not worry everything is normal.
Melissa V.
HA! I wish, and I bet ya TIM wishes the diatoms in his tank only lasted only 2 weeks. ......... Of course your milage varys but your answer is good Melissa V. just made me laugh.

 

[fishy88]

its normal

 

[elan]

its been months and i still get diatoms.... but now, i am glad i have them.... what else are my snails going to eat???... If they compeletely went away, i would be afraid all my snails would starve..... and its sorta cool to see the lines my snails make when they eat away.