Yikes...Is this Brown Algea

bacffin

bacffin

Member
I have been cycling my tank for 12 days now and just recently started to turn the lights on, about 3 days now. I have them on for 8 to 10 hours each day. Today I get home from work and this is all over the place. Any suggestions as what to do? I have ro/di water, wet dry filter, protein skimmer, 50 lbs. LR, and 20 lbs. of LS.
Here are yesterday's readings.
SG = 1.023
Ph = 8.2
Alk = low (red sea test kit)
Ammonia = <0.25 to .25
Nitrites >1.0
Nitrates = 100
Phosphates = 1.0
Calcium = 350
Tank Temp 78 to 79 (f)
Will this go away by itself? Is this part of the cycling process? For now the only thing I can think of doing is to turn the lights out and leave them off until my cycle is done. Can or should I do a water change at this point? Will a cleaning crew take care of this after my cycle is done?
I really hope I didn't screw anything up...Everything was going so well too.

Thanks,
Bruce

 
thejdshow

thejdshow

Member
I would let things go as they are. I wouldn't run my lights quite that long. I had some diatoms when my tank was cycling too. IMO I wouldn't do a water change. Wait untill your tanks cycles and then do a large water change. I hope someone more knowledgeable than me is able to give you some real advice! lol, good luck!
*JD
 
firefish21

firefish21

Member
Hey
My tank has brown diatoms worse than that, MUCH worse
I have been told to wait it out
check out the thread "FireFish's 12g Nano Cube DX"
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
Yeah, wait it out ... it's definitely diatoms which is normal for a young tank. Once the cycle is over add some nassarius snails and hermits ... they'll help some. By the way... I'd re-check the nitrate reading and maybe consider a Salifert test kit. :D
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
Ummm, I am guilty of buying the cheap test kit. I take it you don't believe the nitrate reading?
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bacffin
Ummm, I am guilty of buying the cheap test kit. I take it you don't believe the nitrate reading?
I believe the reading you got ... it's the accuracy I question. :D
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
Ahhh, OK. I understand completly. So I didn't mess anything up (yet). This is quite normal at this stage.
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
None of the local fish stores carry Salifert kits. The only other kit that I recognize is seachem. Are these kits reliable? :notsure:
Bruce
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
Well I got an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals nitrate test kit and did a side by side test with Red Sea.
Red Sea = 100 ppm
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals = 50 ppm
:rolleyes:
 
puffer32

puffer32

Active Member
I have the AP test, and it reads mine the same as my LFS test, so i would believe that one, 50 sounds more correct.
 
farmboy

farmboy

Active Member
It is pretty amazing how fast the diatom went away after the cycle was complete. We added the cleaner crew and they imediately went to work. Don't worry--just wait!
BTW nassarius snails are good diatom eaters. They are also fun to watch bury themselves in the sand.
 
bigarn

bigarn

Active Member
Originally Posted by Bacffin
Well I got an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals nitrate test kit and did a side by side test with Red Sea.
Red Sea = 100 ppm
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals = 50 ppm
:rolleyes:
Ahhh ... that's more like it. Once you do waterchanges the nitrates should come down. Gotta watch those test kits... you should be fine now. :D
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
Speaking of water changes, after my cycle is done, how much water should I change out? I read allot of different opinions on this subject in books and posts. Would you do 50%, 20%, 10%? :notsure: :thinking:
Thanks.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
I usually do 10% a week after my cycle. You just want to bring down your nitrate levels. By the way how large is your tank? I didnt remember seeing it above. I would say that if you change 30% the week after your cycle. Dont do it all at once, there is no need, just do it over the course of a week. Then go to 10% changes weekly, or a 50% change at the end of the month. Good luck and good fishing.
themaddhatter
 
bacffin

bacffin

Member
It's a 45 gallon tall tank. I just got through reading some searched posts and there are some who recommend doing water change half way through the cycle. Is this the preferred practice? Will this slow down my cycle, help it, or disturb the process altogether?
Thanks :notsure:
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
No your cycle is not IN the water. You are letting a dieoff occur. Basically, you are cycling the sand and rocks. So if you want do a water change, it isnt going to make much difference either way. Also know that the cycle itself is growing bacteria, not IN the water but on the surfaces in your tank. If you were to remove these bacteria then you would be affecting you cycle otherwise you are fine.
Good Fishing,
Themaddhatter
 
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