New tank algae question

[greatg]

I have a 110gal tank with 200lbs of LR. The tank has been cycling for 3 weeks. I have noticed that the LR are covered with a brownish substance? Is this brown algae? Is this part of the cycling? I have kept the lights off, ph 7.9 - 8.4, salenity OK.

Equipment: Ehiem canister filter, Magnum 350 Pro w/carbon (using this for wet/dry) + Bio Wheel, Red Prism pro skimmer and 4 96W CF bulbs...

[afss]

The brown stuff is more than likely cyano.

One thing that i would suggest is removing all media from all filters and just use them for circulation. With that much live rock the filters aren't going to help.. infact, IMO, they will cause you more trouble than good.

If you haven't already done so do some research into DSB (Deep Sand Beds) then i would suggest now is a good time. If you haven't gone this route, it may seem like a PITA to do now that youi have the tank started, but IMO now is the time to do it. Well worth the bit of extra effort required now.

Scott

[afss]

Forgot to mention that the cyano is more or less a normal part of a marine tank cycle

Scott

[Chrismo]

I agree with scott. It's a normal part of cycle, and sand is good.

[greatg]

Thanks,

Actually I forgot to mention that I have about 4inch of Aragonite Substrates by CaribSea

[afss]

If you have 4 inches of sand and 200 lbs of rock then i would suggest you ditch all media in all filters including the bio wheel. If you do it early on the tank will adjust to its needs with the rock and sand only as it goes thru its cycle. Let the rock and sand be the filter. Maybe on occasion run a polisher and or some carbon on a filter, but thats about it.

Again this is only my opinion and what has worked for me thru some experience.

Scott

[Sohal Tang]

Hi there..I agree with scott...get rid of the filter media...
Let the ROCK and SUBSTRATE work....give it time.....
Do you have any snails in the tank yet?
It would not be a bad idea I think to put say 3 or 4 astrea
snails in a one LARGE turbo snail...see how they do
and if they MAKE IT then add a few more say another 4 or 5 astrea and perhaps another 2 or 3 large turbos as long
as you have some green algae starting etc they will survive....
but go slow and make sure you test the water BEFORE you
go pick them up for amonia and nitrate is what I would do...

I just cycled my tank with 80lbs of cured rock (90gallon tank)
it took 3 weeks and I was able to add 3 large turbos and
8 astreas but I had some green algae starting before I did this and they cleaned it up in 2 days!

at 4 weeks I was able to add peppermint shrimp and bloodshrimp and at 5 weeks I recently added a pair of percs and a 6 line wrasse...

EVERYTHING DOING PERFECT but again..I used CURED ROCK
and good lights and good skimmer AND THE RESULT is
perfect conditions (so far...touch wood)

Hopefully this helps...but go slow...test the water steady.

Tim