My tank update

[Trent]

Hello all.
My first system is going well I think. cycling at two and a half weeks. Stocked at two weeks with one live rock, two snails and a black and white damsel. Now like I said I am using a liquid organic tank starter product. And the addition of the new livestock would definitely boost the levels and really get things under way.

But then in the wee hours of the morning, right after I bought that damsel, it made its final swim into the intake of the unprotected powerhead. And there ya go, I learned something new. :P
I saw all kinds of thing move on this new rock. My snails and hermit crabs were feeding off the rock and all was well.
--My box of Premium Fiji LR arrives Friday. I'm sure there will be lots to look at.
But then, just this morning. I discovered a lightly toasted brown coating on the sand/coral bed (in patches). Now, I'm hoping this is all normal and it's just beneficial algae. Or I could be wrong, and it's a terribly infectious bloom of something bad.

Any thoughts as to my recent situation?

[Ocean Images]

Trent, sounds like your tank is cycling normally:D you will go through different stages of algae. You will probably start seeing particles of brown floating on the surface anytime now;)
All of this normal
:cheers:

[ajx22]

Hello Trent,

The brownish algae you are seeing is a normal part of cycling called Diatoms. They will come and go - nothing to worry about.

I would like to warn you NOT to place any more livestock in the tank until the cycle has completed. You are in the very beginning stages of your cycle, and your ammonia will still be at higher levels. This high level of ammonia will burn the gills of fish, and though a tough fish like a Damsel will likely survive - it is still not a healthy environment.

A true cycle will take from 4-8 weeks (sometimes more) to complete. You have the Diatoms starting - so the cycle is under way.

My suggestion to you would be to add the new live rock tomorrow, and then monitor the tanks parameters very closely for the next few weeks. The water specs that you are going to need to monitor are:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate


If you haven't - please read the following thread:
http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=335#post335

This will give a brief blurb about the tanks cycle.

Also...as you have discovered...keeping fish is the same as having children - you must make sure that their environment is safe. ;) Most of us have learned the hard way too...always make sure that powerhead intakes are covered with some sort of strainer to disipate the amount of suction in any one spot.

HTH and I will see you tomorrow...:wavehand:

[Trent]

Yes, the next day I went and bought a quick filter attachment for the powerhead. And no, I had no intention on stocking any more at this point.
I am all excited about this new LR I'm getting today.
The one rock I bought turned out to be teaming with life. If this new rock is anywhere near the same there will a fascinating amount of activity and a big jump in the water parameters.

Thanks OI and AJ. I knew not to panic about the diatoms but you see, at this point, all is new and unexpected changes might be a cause for concern.

[Trent]

:)