Fairly New Tank - Brown Alge Outbreak

[aj3350]

Hello everyone.

I have had my tank setup for about 8 weeks now. I cycled using LR and LS for 6 weeks before adding fish and checked my levels thoughout the process. 3-5 days after adding a yellow tang my ammonia level rose to .5 ppm ; went back to 0 within 2-3 days and all other levels remain at 0. My PH is a bit low, at 8.0 but it's been that since I began.

Just today, I noticed an outbreak of brownish alge on the tank sides. Can someone please tell me whats happening and if this is normal ?

I have a 15 gallon tank with 15 lbs. of live rock, 15 lbs. of live sand, 1 yellow tank (small in size) 2 turbo snails, and 1 cleaner shrimp.

Tank parameters as of yesterday are as follows:

Salt 1.022
Temp 80 F
PH 8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

Is whats happening normal since I have a small tank ? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: AJ Brown ]</p>

 

[Anonymous]

Completely normal. What are you using for topoff/change water? With a tank that small, you can get away with going to the store and picking up gallons of distilled water. Unless of course, you already have an RO unit, in which case I'm green with envy...

djp

 

[Anonymous]

A 15 gallon tank, is that right?

Yes the brown algae is normal when a tank is new. It is due to diatoms. They live on nutrents like nitrates and phosphates, and they use silicates to make their glassy shells. Get rid of nutrients & silicates and you'll end the diatom outbreak.
At your tank's age, most people advise just waiting til things stabilize.

BTW; a 15 gallon (if that's not a typo) is too small a tank for a yellow tang. Better take it back.

 

[aj3350]

I am using RO/DI water. I have done 2 water changes since inital setup, each of 3 gallons. I have not done a change since I added the fish, shrimp, and snails. I have one scheduled next week. I plan to do a 3 gallon change every 3 weeks.

The tang is eating fine, feed every other day. The shrimp and snails are active.

Should I just clean my tank sides or will this go away ? The snails are heading toward it but have not got there just yet.

Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, go ahead and clean the glass.