First post...but got a question..already

[AstroCreep]

Hi all..just wanted to say that this site Rocks and from what ive read you all know your stuff, so thought i would join and ask a newb question. ive had my 60 gal up and running now for a month with about 45lbs of live rock, 3in sb, 2 damsels, 2 hermits, 2 turbo snails. Every thing was going good untill i put 15lbs of new live rock in and now i have this brown algea all over the sand and sides of my tank. just wondering what could have caused this..thanks for the info

60 gal
29 gal sump
2 maxijet powerheads
pc lights

 

[Rick357]

Most likely you have a diatom bloom, this is a very normal thing when starting up a new tank. when you added the 15 more lbs of rock you probably added some "extra nutrients" which the diatoms are feeding on.

I would siphon as much off as you can with your normal water changes, and be patient, it is part of the natural cycle of the tank, and will eventually resolve itself. Be patient and keep checking your water parameters, your tank isn't fully cycled yet :wink:

Oh and welcome to the board!

 

[fyrefysh]

Diatoms will usually stick around for a couple of weeks. Best thing to do to get rid of them is do a weekly 10% water change. Good luck!

 

[AstroCreep]

i keep my light on for about 9 hrs a day, will this make the diatoms spread and grow even more?

 

[Rick357]

No AstroCreep, they are a part of life!!! you are allright, it is part of starting a tank. Just like Fyrefysh, and I suggest just keep up with your weekly H2O changes and be patient and you will be fine

 

[Anonymous]

:welcome:

Ah yes the joys of a daitom bloom it's all part of cycling. Astro, are you using RO water? Point being that if you aren't using RO or something like it the excess nutrients can fuel the bloom FWIW.

 

[AstroCreep]

Yeah ive been using Ro water..at least im pretty sure it is...ive been getting water from raleys, the stuff that costs a buck fifty for five gallongs..anyway its outside in a vending machine it says its reverse osmosis, carbon filter stuff. That water should be allright right? oh and btw the 15 lbs of live rock that was suposed to be pre cured..isnt cus it has been stinking up my whole house...a foul rotten egg smell....mmmm

 

[Anonymous]

Well as the saying goes, this too shall pass Astro. Do you have a skimmer? If so crank it up to pull wet foam, that will help pull nutrients as well.

 

[AstroCreep]

the skimmer that i have now is the bakpak skimmer, i have it down in my sump, but yesterday my pump up and quit on me so im thinking about getting a new one, any suggestions? or should i buy a new pump and just use the bakpak

 

[Anonymous]

I've never used the CPR bakpak so I can't comment on it, but you can look here...

http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=78592

Great thread on all types of skimmers. If money is an issue, buy another pump and get the one you have running... if not then go shopping. Personally I feel that next to RO Water and good lights a good skimmer is key in this hobby.

 

[SnowManSnow]

If you need a HOT skimmer for a 60 I don't think you can beat a AquaC Remora Pro. Lots of bang for the buck here. Definitely worth checking out.

B

 

[fyrefysh]

I dunno, I kinda like my bakpak. I've been thinking of going to a Remora Pro myself though. Astrocreep, if your bakpak came with a RIO pump, I would suggest buying a maxijet 1200 for it, much cheaper than buying a whole new skimmer.

 

[AstroCreep]

Thanks for all the suggestions but i tore apart the rio pump, put it back together and now it is magically working again. i donk know what its problem was, but it is skimming away right now, hopefully it will continue to work. Oh i was wondering, would it hurt to throw in a couple more turbo snails in my tank, or should i wait till it is done cycling...ive noticed that they have been going to town on the brown algea(diatoms i guess) that is growing in there

thx

 

[Anonymous]

As long as your ammonia level is down, it wouldn't hurt to add a few more snails.

 

[fyrefysh]

I suppose if your snails start falling of the glass, etc. then you probably still have too many nitrites/ammonia. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

Do you still have the biomedia in the bakpak? If so, take that out and replace with live rock rubble. It cuts down the nitrite that gets stuck in the biomedia. FWIW

 

[AstroCreep]

i just tested my water today and my nitrites are good so i will defenitly get some more snails, right now i just have 2 turbos, do you think i should get a few different kinds or stick with turbos?

right now in my bakpak i have no media but i will try the live rock idea! thanks cvp7900

 

[ChrisRD]

I would advise against putting live rock rubble in your skimmer. Whatever small amount you could fit in there will be insignficant compared to what's already in the system. You already have more than enough live rock/sand in your system to provide adequate biofiltration. Putting rubble in the skimmer (a high flow area) it will end-up acting as a mechanical filter (ie. it will trap detritus) and do more harm then good for your water quality.

 

[AstroCreep]

so then it would be better to just leave it empty then

 

[Anonymous]

Yup, Chris is as usual right...