Brown stuff on my sand and rocks?

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Nano#9

New Member
I'm about a week into cycling now and i have noticed over the past few days that my rocks /sand have been getting covered in some kind of brown stuff. Is this some kind of algae? or what is it? I guess since my tank hasnt cycled yet cant add the CUC. Do i just continue with cycling process and get cuc after cycle to clean this up? What should i do about this brown stuff, and how do i get it to go away? and what causes it? thanks!!

~ Sonny
 
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Nano#9

New Member
Thanks for the link! Yes it has lightly cover all of the rocks and sand. Sounds like diatoms is what i have by reading your link. I dont have test kit yet, i have amonia test kit from my FW tanks that says it does both FW & SW. I did that test and shows .25 the last two nights. Will be getting the whole test kit this friday "pay day" I have a mj900 in chamber 3 w/ hydorflo and stock pump in chamber 2 connected to a spray bar in display. I'm asuming that after cycle and adding my CUC and lil time these diatoms will go away? I will post my test reading once i get my test kit. Thanks islandcreations! :mrgreen:
 
islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
No problem.... Just keep reading the forums and 90% of the time so one has asked that same question. But if you wanted others opinions on choosing items then always post a topic! Yeah, a test kit is always vital, along with a hydrometer!
 
T

Trogdor

New Member
Just make sure that when buying off of ebay that the test chemicals aren't past their expiration date.
 
N

Nano#9

New Member
Yea good thinkin! but i was to curious to what my tank was doin so went to petsmart and got that exact kit for like $26. I come home and ran all my test...

PH -7.8
ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 0
nitrate - 0

its been 7days since i started the tank and put my LR in. Should i do a water change to get ammonia to come down to zero or just wait it out?? Could my tank cycling process be coming to an end already?
 
islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
Please wait for a month.... Yes you can do a water change but please don't rush anything and wait for a full cycle. Keep lights on only for viewing purposes, don't want algae growth. So far so good! :mrgreen:
 
J

jgreen

New Member
The hardest part about this stage of the hobby is the waiting period. I've only had my tank for 11 days and it is so hard not to run out and by a CUC. I test almost everyday just to watch my numbers. However, just as the more experienced members say, patience is a virtue in this hobby. Hang in there man, I'm in the same boat as you. Let nature take it's course and before you know it, our tanks will blossom.

I have another newbie problem too. I can't seem to keep my hands out of the tank. I'm always re-aquascaping or adjusting something. It's my goal for this week to just keep my hands out of the tank unless there is something that just has to be done now.
 
N

Nano#9

New Member
jgreen said:
The hardest part about this stage of the hobby is the waiting period. I've only had my tank for 11 days and it is so hard not to run out and by a CUC. I test almost everyday just to watch my numbers. However, just as the more experienced members say, patience is a virtue in this hobby. Hang in there man, I'm in the same boat as you. Let nature take it's course and before you know it, our tanks will blossom.

I have another newbie problem too. I can't seem to keep my hands out of the tank. I'm always re-aquascaping or adjusting something. It's my goal for this week to just keep my hands out of the tank unless there is something that just has to be done now.
Click to expand...
Thats funny how we cant stop messin with our tank :lol3: , i'm the same way. I know not to rush just cant believe my tank perimeters are already back at zero. My ammonia dropped to zero this morning, i rinsed out my sponge for the 1st time, thinkin that may have dropped my ammonia. I guess time for my 1st water change! I will wait a month b/f i add anything to the tank. Its hard though but i know patience is the key to success in this hobby.
Jgreen what kinda of setup do u have?
 
islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
Also look into creating your own saltwater. I know when I began I used to spend a good amount of money on catalina water. Do some research on the forum, just future advice. Plus after a month has passed put in a clean up crew for a week to make sure everything good. After that you can add fish, just a safer approach. Yeah, this hobby is adiccting. At first I was happy to have any coral, now I'm looking into the more exotic corals which have brighter colors. There goes more money $$$$$ :sad: :mrgreen:
 
J

jgreen

New Member
Nano#9 said:
Jgreen what kinda of setup do u have?
Click to expand...
I have a 12g Nano cube not the DX model.

So far, I have about 13LBs of LR, 15LBs of LS.

Chamber 1-purigen and chemi-pure
Chamber 2- phosphate guard, heater and LR rubble
Chamber3- MJ1200

Sponges, Bioballs and rings removed.
 
S

Semo

New Member
Silica was a big problem when I had diatoms....I do believe your issue is the cycle though..

Just a sign its progressing..
 
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