tank cycling

dhammers06 · 09/09/2008, 07:14 AM

I have a 75 gallon tank, I have 50lbs of live rock and about an 1.5 sand bed. I am getting brown algae in abundance my lfs said to keep my light off for two days so i did and im still having the issue when i turn the lights back on

mike Brolin · 09/09/2008, 07:27 AM

The algae bloom is common with new tank set up. Turning lights.
Have you got any emerald crab? They will eat some alage.
Diffent snails help. Not sure which one however.

dhammers06 · 09/09/2008, 07:30 AM

I have nothing in the tank as far as snails or crabs

stingythingy45 · 09/09/2008, 07:34 AM

It's not really algae but microscopic creatures called diatoms.
This is VERY common in new tanks and will last aprox. a week or two til silicates in the sand bed is used up.Make sure you are using ro/di water or at least ro water or you'll keep fueling the diatoms with silicates.

an411 · 09/09/2008, 08:29 AM

turning the lights off is not going to do anything as soon as you turn them back on its going to start again. leave the lights on. This is normal during a starting tank

dhammers06 · 09/09/2008, 09:24 AM

thanks for the advice

stumpyid · 09/09/2008, 03:43 PM

Check your phosphate levels also if not using Ro/DI water

09/09/2008, 07:14 AM	#1
dhammers06 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: illinois Posts: 126	tank cycling I have a 75 gallon tank, I have 50lbs of live rock and about an 1.5 sand bed. I am getting brown algae in abundance my lfs said to keep my light off for two days so i did and im still having the issue when i turn the lights back on

09/09/2008, 07:34 AM	#4
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	It's not really algae but microscopic creatures called diatoms. This is VERY common in new tanks and will last aprox. a week or two til silicates in the sand bed is used up.Make sure you are using ro/di water or at least ro water or you'll keep fueling the diatoms with silicates. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

09/09/2008, 03:43 PM	#7
stumpyid Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 87	Check your phosphate levels also if not using Ro/DI water __________________ 250g braceless Starphire, custom cherry stand, 400w Radiums x 3, LumenMax 2 w/Galaxy ballast, Cree actenics, Super Dart Gold pump, APEX Gold & WAV, Bubble King SM250, Deltec PF601 Ca, Precision Marine

09/09/2008, 07:27 AM	#2
mike Brolin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Waunakee Wi Posts: 57	The algae bloom is common with new tank set up. Turning lights. Have you got any emerald crab? They will eat some alage. Diffent snails help. Not sure which one however.

09/09/2008, 07:30 AM	#3
dhammers06 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: illinois Posts: 126	I have nothing in the tank as far as snails or crabs

09/09/2008, 08:29 AM	#5
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	turning the lights off is not going to do anything as soon as you turn them back on its going to start again. leave the lights on. This is normal during a starting tank

09/09/2008, 09:24 AM	#6
dhammers06 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: illinois Posts: 126	thanks for the advice