Is this normal?

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 02:40 PM

Woke up today checked the tank and I noticed my rocks are more of a golenish color on certain rocks and areas, also noticed parts of the sand bed has a brownish/goldish look to it. The tank is a little over 2 months, no fish, just 5 snails and 5 hermit crabs, I also noticed parts of the rocks are getting more of a purplish/pink to them as well, is this normal? Are the rocks chaning for the better or should I be worried about something?

Thanks,

Ken

Snelly40 · 07-24-2006, 02:51 PM

purple/pink is good, typically that is coraline algea which forms in healthy tanks. The golden/brown algea is not a bad algea either, usually forms in newer tanks that are going through their natural progressions. Cleaning the sand and rocks will cut down on the brown immediately. The purple is hard and will remain and should spread. Congrats on the new tank

blue_eyes53813 · 07-24-2006, 02:52 PM

All part of the cycle...Keep blowing the algae off the rocks and sand bed with a turkey baster...Scoop al algae out with a net...it should clear up in a week or 2.... watch for problem algaes like hair algae..You can also increase flow in those areas..

Witfull · 07-24-2006, 02:53 PM

very well could be a diatom bloom. once again, normal for new tanks.

JFK_Jr · 07-24-2006, 03:04 PM

Sounds like diatoms... food for your snails. If it gets too bad, then increase your snail population.

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 03:14 PM

ya, before i noticed the brown/goldenish color i noticed all my critters were out, which i thought was odd b/c usually i can only see see 2-3 at a time. so should i just wait it out? do a water change? i just ordered my ro/di unit should be here this week. i was thinking about adding 2 fish sometime this week should i wait for this to clear up, or is this ok?

Snelly40 · 07-24-2006, 03:16 PM

starter fish will be fine in there, how long has it been up and running?
water changes always help and just remember try to go slow. Its hard but patience is key

Witfull · 07-24-2006, 03:21 PM

i would wait for thr RO unit. your tap water could be feeding the bloom~

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 03:30 PM

ya i have been using ro water from the store (bottled water) and purchased water from the lfs they brought it out when they brought my tank (92 corner) tank has been up for a little over 2 months. Should i keep my lights off or on or? 65watss actnics 150mh and 2lunar lights.

Thank You

blue_eyes53813 · 07-24-2006, 03:41 PM

Lights on is fine....How long are the lights on for ?

jdk504 · 07-24-2006, 03:45 PM

actnics 2x65
9-8pm
mh 150
10-5pm
lunar
8pm-3am

blue_eyes53813 · 07-24-2006, 04:02 PM

That should be fine.. If the algae get worse and doesnt seem to go away after a couple weeks you could try to lessen the time of actinics, but I think you will be ok... Some leave them on longer than that... if the tank gets direct light from a window , that could be another problem down the road... Good luck

Snelly40 · 07-24-2006, 04:06 PM

yeah, once i bought some dark curtains i had some growth like taht. The curtains have really cut down on it

lcstorc · 07-25-2006, 01:27 PM

Have you tested the tank paramaters? I would use that to judge the suitability of the tank for fish at this point. If everything looks good then start adding, but add slowly and research first. The order you add the fish can make a big difference. Most agressive fish should always be last.

07-24-2006, 02:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Is this normal? Woke up today checked the tank and I noticed my rocks are more of a golenish color on certain rocks and areas, also noticed parts of the sand bed has a brownish/goldish look to it. The tank is a little over 2 months, no fish, just 5 snails and 5 hermit crabs, I also noticed parts of the rocks are getting more of a purplish/pink to them as well, is this normal? Are the rocks chaning for the better or should I be worried about something? Thanks, Ken

07-24-2006, 02:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,098 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? purple/pink is good, typically that is coraline algea which forms in healthy tanks. The golden/brown algea is not a bad algea either, usually forms in newer tanks that are going through their natural progressions. Cleaning the sand and rocks will cut down on the brown immediately. The purple is hard and will remain and should spread. Congrats on the new tank __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

07-24-2006, 02:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this normal? All part of the cycle...Keep blowing the algae off the rocks and sand bed with a turkey baster...Scoop al algae out with a net...it should clear up in a week or 2.... watch for problem algaes like hair algae..You can also increase flow in those areas.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-24-2006, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this normal? Sounds like diatoms... food for your snails. If it gets too bad, then increase your snail population. __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

07-24-2006, 03:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? ya, before i noticed the brown/goldenish color i noticed all my critters were out, which i thought was odd b/c usually i can only see see 2-3 at a time. so should i just wait it out? do a water change? i just ordered my ro/di unit should be here this week. i was thinking about adding 2 fish sometime this week should i wait for this to clear up, or is this ok?

07-24-2006, 03:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,098 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? starter fish will be fine in there, how long has it been up and running? water changes always help and just remember try to go slow. Its hard but patience is key __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

07-24-2006, 03:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? ya i have been using ro water from the store (bottled water) and purchased water from the lfs they brought it out when they brought my tank (92 corner) tank has been up for a little over 2 months. Should i keep my lights off or on or? 65watss actnics 150mh and 2lunar lights. Thank You

07-24-2006, 03:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this normal? Lights on is fine....How long are the lights on for ? __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-24-2006, 03:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
jdk504 Midas Blenny Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 92 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? actnics 2x65 9-8pm mh 150 10-5pm lunar 8pm-3am

07-24-2006, 04:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 8,024 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this normal? That should be fine.. If the algae get worse and doesnt seem to go away after a couple weeks you could try to lessen the time of actinics, but I think you will be ok... Some leave them on longer than that... if the tank gets direct light from a window , that could be another problem down the road... Good luck __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-24-2006, 04:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
Snelly40 Manta Ray Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 3,098 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this normal? yeah, once i bought some dark curtains i had some growth like taht. The curtains have really cut down on it __________________ Snelly's 90gal Reef-O-Rama *Member-"Crabs Are Evil" Society*

07-25-2006, 01:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this normal? Have you tested the tank paramaters? I would use that to judge the suitability of the tank for fish at this point. If everything looks good then start adding, but add slowly and research first. The order you add the fish can make a big difference. Most agressive fish should always be last. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

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