My First Build

Jsteere301 · 12/12/2008, 01:46 PM

I have a new 45 gallon project it has been up and running for about 2-3 weeks now (I will post the params and pics later since i am at work) but I have notced i am getting green hair algae on the rock and sand bed is this normal?

Michael · 12/12/2008, 02:25 PM

brown is more common, however the first 3-4 months in a salt water tank anything and everything is normal

Jsteere301 · 12/12/2008, 02:29 PM

well to be totally honest its like a really weird dark color and still not growing hairs yet but you see them forming maybe with forming it will be brown but does all seems as it should?

Michael · 12/12/2008, 02:33 PM

as i said, honestly you will probably see everything in the first few months, from brown dust on the sand bed to red hair algae to rusty coloured crap, even gree algae on the glass, nothing is unusual, however different systems have different types, but its expected, just keep parameters as close to NSW as possible and you will get through it

Jsteere301 · 12/13/2008, 12:08 AM

Okay thanks, got preoccupied tonite but here are the params 2 days short of 3 weeks:

Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrate - 20 ppm
Nitrite - a shade of blue between 0 - .25 ppm
Ph- 8.2

Shmax · 12/13/2008, 12:17 AM

Any time you're showing ammonia or nitrite the tank is still in initial cycle mode, so as he said before, just about anything can be expected. At some point, you're going to have the diatom bloom, probably brown, green, or like mine was, a nasty bronze/gold color. I was lucky and never went through the hair algae phase, but you may experience that as well.

bladeyamaha · 12/13/2008, 12:28 AM

sounds like cyano bacteria

Jsteere301 · 12/13/2008, 01:06 AM

ok as long as its normal I appreciate his and all your guys help!

bladeyamaha · 12/13/2008, 01:19 AM

cyano appears when live rock gets broken or if you have bristle worms, not enough flow. Silicates and phosphates also play a role in this as well.

12/12/2008, 01:46 PM	#1
Jsteere301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 24	My First Build I have a new 45 gallon project it has been up and running for about 2-3 weeks now (I will post the params and pics later since i am at work) but I have notced i am getting green hair algae on the rock and sand bed is this normal? __________________ Thanks! ~Jeff Current Tank Info: 44 In the works!

12/12/2008, 02:25 PM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	brown is more common, however the first 3-4 months in a salt water tank anything and everything is normal __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/12/2008, 02:29 PM	#3
Jsteere301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 24	well to be totally honest its like a really weird dark color and still not growing hairs yet but you see them forming maybe with forming it will be brown but does all seems as it should? __________________ Thanks! ~Jeff Current Tank Info: 44 In the works!

12/12/2008, 02:33 PM	#4
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	as i said, honestly you will probably see everything in the first few months, from brown dust on the sand bed to red hair algae to rusty coloured crap, even gree algae on the glass, nothing is unusual, however different systems have different types, but its expected, just keep parameters as close to NSW as possible and you will get through it __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

12/13/2008, 12:08 AM	#5
Jsteere301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 24	Okay thanks, got preoccupied tonite but here are the params 2 days short of 3 weeks: Ammonia - 0.25 Nitrate - 20 ppm Nitrite - a shade of blue between 0 - .25 ppm Ph- 8.2 __________________ Thanks! ~Jeff Current Tank Info: 44 In the works!

12/13/2008, 12:17 AM	#6
Shmax Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 596	Any time you're showing ammonia or nitrite the tank is still in initial cycle mode, so as he said before, just about anything can be expected. At some point, you're going to have the diatom bloom, probably brown, green, or like mine was, a nasty bronze/gold color. I was lucky and never went through the hair algae phase, but you may experience that as well.

12/13/2008, 12:28 AM	#7
bladeyamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: AGGIELAND, TX Posts: 72	sounds like cyano bacteria __________________ 10 gallon seed tank later to become quarantine tank(phosban 150 reactor, using carbon in it currently), Sea Clone 100(a joke of a skimmer-modded heavily), 80 gallon reef system to go back up in the near future, 50 gallon cube by Oceanic (24x24x20), built circa 1998, drilled and tapped for (3) 1/2 inch bulk head drains and (1) 1/2 inch bulk head inlet, loc line directional inlet, 100 gallons per hour through refugium, Deltec TS1060, 2 Kent Marine Phosban Reactors usually filled with activated carbon, various power heads, biowheels, 33 gallon long (48 inches long)-Oceanic converted refugium, 5 gallon homemade frag tank(given to me), 150 pounds of Pink Fiji sand, 30 pounds of live sand, 250 pounds of Fiji Rock(Live and Dry)total, 150 watt HQI MH, Working on DIY LED Project for 50 gallon cube, 4x24watt T5's (96 watts total T5's)for refuge, 1 Coralife Power Compact 65 watt single for refugium, 1 Coralife 2x54 watt (108 watts total on 48 inch dual strip)for refuge.

12/13/2008, 01:06 AM	#8
Jsteere301 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 24	ok as long as its normal I appreciate his and all your guys help! __________________ Thanks! ~Jeff Current Tank Info: 44 In the works!

12/13/2008, 01:19 AM	#9
bladeyamaha Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: AGGIELAND, TX Posts: 72	cyano appears when live rock gets broken or if you have bristle worms, not enough flow. Silicates and phosphates also play a role in this as well. __________________ 10 gallon seed tank later to become quarantine tank(phosban 150 reactor, using carbon in it currently), Sea Clone 100(a joke of a skimmer-modded heavily), 80 gallon reef system to go back up in the near future, 50 gallon cube by Oceanic (24x24x20), built circa 1998, drilled and tapped for (3) 1/2 inch bulk head drains and (1) 1/2 inch bulk head inlet, loc line directional inlet, 100 gallons per hour through refugium, Deltec TS1060, 2 Kent Marine Phosban Reactors usually filled with activated carbon, various power heads, biowheels, 33 gallon long (48 inches long)-Oceanic converted refugium, 5 gallon homemade frag tank(given to me), 150 pounds of Pink Fiji sand, 30 pounds of live sand, 250 pounds of Fiji Rock(Live and Dry)total, 150 watt HQI MH, Working on DIY LED Project for 50 gallon cube, 4x24watt T5's (96 watts total T5's)for refuge, 1 Coralife Power Compact 65 watt single for refugium, 1 Coralife 2x54 watt (108 watts total on 48 inch dual strip)for refuge.