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12/15/2009, 10:35 AM | #1 |
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Hmmm....whats on my rock?
About a month ago i bought a heap of live rock from my LFS, since then it has adapted well.
Recently i have made the decision to keep corals, so i started to supplement water with seachem reef fundamentals. My calcium rose my magnesium held its level, but about 1 week later i have gone from a nice corraline and white look with alot of growths, to now a brown tinge to every peice,but only happned when i started to supplement my water. I have attached a picture below. Im starting to worry, anybody have any ideas as to why, and wether it is a good or bad thing? |
12/15/2009, 10:36 AM | #2 |
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Also i have noticed that it hasnt affected any of the growths as yet as they all show through.
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12/15/2009, 10:42 AM | #3 |
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looks like diatoms to me. Did you cycle the tank? This is usually a natural part of the cycling. It could also be that by adding those supplements(how did you do it, with a water change, or directly in the tank?) you may have added some nutrients that the algae needed to start.
The "live rock" wasn't all white when you got it was it? How long did you wait before adding live-stock, like the sea star? What are your parameter readings? |
12/15/2009, 10:56 AM | #4 |
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ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0 nitrate - 50 calcium - 400 PH 8 ATM for some reason. a month 3xchromis a week later 1xpsuedochromis another week 1xlinkia No rock wasnt all white, ill add older pics and some current ones. Also why would my PH be dropping and how to fix this problem? Last edited by -Pixie-; 12/15/2009 at 11:11 AM. |
12/15/2009, 11:02 AM | #5 |
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Here are some pics.
And trust me im well aware linkia was a bad move, was on the recomendation of my LFS -- << jerk. |
12/15/2009, 11:03 AM | #6 |
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Supplements were added directly to tank, slightly diluted
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12/15/2009, 11:04 AM | #7 |
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First pic is current, second is a little older showing some die off
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12/15/2009, 11:05 AM | #8 |
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Any idea on what the orange growth with the tentacle type things is?
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12/15/2009, 11:26 AM | #9 |
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Also just added a T5 3 bulb fixture with 3 x 10k sun bulbs, could this have anything to do with it?
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12/15/2009, 12:08 PM | #10 |
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Pixie,
The first picture is definitely a diatom bloom on the rocks.This should disappear after silicates are used up in the tank.That should take a week or two as long as you don't reintroduce them with tap water. Seconds picture could be a majorno anemone.Not sure as I've never had any just seen them,but these critters can be a pest. Last picture could be sponge,but as it's on top of the rock probably not. It could be some fungus caused by die off in,on the rock.
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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 |
12/15/2009, 12:09 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Maybe somebody will comment that has dealt with them before.
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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 |
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12/15/2009, 12:28 PM | #12 |
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Majano Anemone*
Looks like a diatom bloom in the first picture. Are you using tap or RO water? Also you really should consider replacing one of the 10k bulbs with an Actinic. This will give you a much bluer appearance. You'll be happy with it. |
12/15/2009, 02:34 PM | #13 |
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Agree that at least one of those 10k has to be changed to actinic. Is the fixture brand new? What did you have before? If the fixture is used, how old are the bulbs? If they are old, they can produce poor light that can increase algae/diatom growth. If diatoms, it appears to be part of the cycle. Your Nitrate seems VERY high.
At 50ppm on a tank with 4 fish in it, and a linkia, it is likely not really done with its cycle if it's only 5 weeks old. Over time in reef tanks I have heard that PH will drop. This is why they make carbonate buffer to raise it to 8.3. Also, you can have PH swings depending on when you test, because as I understand it, having a lot of CO2, will bring your PH down. All critters in your tank create CO2, and use oxygen. When you have algae/plant life, your plants absorb CO2, and produce oxygen. If you don't have a refugium opposing your regular light cycle, you could be getting swings. Check your PH early am, and later, right about when the lights turn off. My bet you will have a higher ph at night. The white thing looks to me like an encrusting sponge. I have a few, NOTHING near that size. The orange/brownish thing could be majano. If so, BAD! |
12/16/2009, 12:44 AM | #14 |
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Thanks guys, so what to do about the brown appearance/diatoms?
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12/16/2009, 12:45 AM | #15 |
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And is it bad?
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12/16/2009, 12:45 AM | #16 |
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I used tap water for my initial tankfill
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12/16/2009, 05:19 AM | #17 |
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the tap is likely a large part of the reason for your diatom bloom. Tap carries tons of garbage along with it, a lot of times, algaes and such along with it. This is why tap contains chlorine to keep algaes in check.
If you haven't already, your next big purchase should be an RO/DI water-maker. IMO, this is the only way to go. As to the diatoms, seems normal during a cycling tank, which it seems yours still is at about a month. Also, not sure your flow, but diatoms and cyano like to hide in low flow areas more than others. |
12/16/2009, 05:27 AM | #18 |
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Still no ammonia
still no nitrite LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i meant 5.0 not 50 nitrate Im sure i cant possibly be cycling still? |
12/16/2009, 05:30 AM | #19 |
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Ive adjusted flow towards the worst peices for now, hopefully things improve, all i can put it down to is the tap water...
thanks cheif =) |
12/16/2009, 07:49 AM | #20 |
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also, sand-sifter componants of a CUC will help this a great deal, including some snails, hermit crabs, and a sea cucumber. Welcome
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