New brown stuff

Dr RBG · 04/15/2017, 02:00 PM

My new tank is cycling and is about 3 weeks old. It is a reefer 450 with live rock and sand. I have tested it every few days and ammonia nitrate and nitrite and phosphate are 0.

Now it has brown stuff on rock and sand which I guess are diatoms, Should I let it stay like that as some suggest and or get some turbo snails as one person said. It currently has 2 clown fish?

Thanks for any thoughts

RBG

AlSimmons · 04/15/2017, 03:12 PM

What kind of water are you using, RO/DI or something else? You can add a few snails if you want, but keeping parameters such as Phosphates, Nitrates & Silicates low is probably your best bet.
(along with some time)

https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

mcgyvr · 04/15/2017, 03:58 PM

Welcome to a new totally normal tank..
You can certainly add snails,etc.. if you would like a "Clean up crew"..

Diatoms typically come first.. Then some green algae and then maybe some red cyano bacteria.. All a normal part of a new tank and referred to as the "uglies"... They will all pass provided you are keeping parameters good/proper maintenance..

Dr RBG · 04/15/2017, 03:58 PM

yes using only RO/DI water I think I read somewhere this happens in new tanks.

04/15/2017, 02:00 PM	#1
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	New brown stuff My new tank is cycling and is about 3 weeks old. It is a reefer 450 with live rock and sand. I have tested it every few days and ammonia nitrate and nitrite and phosphate are 0. Now it has brown stuff on rock and sand which I guess are diatoms, Should I let it stay like that as some suggest and or get some turbo snails as one person said. It currently has 2 clown fish? Thanks for any thoughts RBG

04/15/2017, 03:58 PM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Welcome to a new totally normal tank.. You can certainly add snails,etc.. if you would like a "Clean up crew".. Diatoms typically come first.. Then some green algae and then maybe some red cyano bacteria.. All a normal part of a new tank and referred to as the "uglies"... They will all pass provided you are keeping parameters good/proper maintenance.. __________________ Who me?

04/15/2017, 03:58 PM	#4
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	Rodi yes using only RO/DI water I think I read somewhere this happens in new tanks.

04/15/2017, 03:12 PM	#2
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	What kind of water are you using, RO/DI or something else? You can add a few snails if you want, but keeping parameters such as Phosphates, Nitrates & Silicates low is probably your best bet. (along with some time) https://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide