Did I do it right?

chud · 12-29-2003, 10:13 AM

I am on my first tank. i have 46 gallon with fully cured fiji, aragonite substrate bottom, remora skimmer, purple tang, false clown, and purple pseudochromis. All my levels appear to be right on with an SG 1.021. Problem is my substrate is starting to vary in coloration. Is this normal?

johnlewis · 12-29-2003, 10:59 AM

Does it appear to be covered with a coat of slime ? What color are you seeing ? Did you use RO water to start ? What is your Calcium level ?

jks1 · 12-29-2003, 11:05 AM

Good ?s john, also how long has it been set up?

mwrager · 12-29-2003, 11:07 AM

I would raise my SG to 1.024 or 1.025. To me that is to low. Raise it slowly.
Like johnlewis said Does it appear to be covered with a coat of slime ? What color are you seeing ? Did you use RO water to start ? What is your Calcium level ?
Do you have a pic?

mwrager · 12-29-2003, 11:08 AM

Oh Yah, Welcome to the Sanctuary, Chud. Where in AZ are you?

Craig Manoukian · 12-29-2003, 03:42 PM

Welcome Chud.

Not to be an alarmist, but your tank, unless 48" in length, will not provide sufficient lateral swim room for the Purple Tang.

The lenght of time your system has been up and running would be of great help. Could be a normal red cyanobacteria stage, but without more information, just a guess.

Travis · 12-29-2003, 09:14 PM

Another question... the substrate, is that crushed coral or aragonite sand? CC would be big chunks, and not a very good idea. I would go with no substrate before using crushed coral, just causes problems in the long run.

T

mnreefman · 12-29-2003, 10:35 PM

i agree with the all above statements... algae and diatoms are a part of the tank maturation process, give us some more infor pertaining to age, lights, filters, substrate ect ect... and welcome to reef sanctuary

chud · 12-30-2003, 12:00 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I have had the tank up and running for 1 month. The aragonite is sand not coral. I used R.O> water but I am begining to think my filter was bad. I am in the East valley of AZ. It appears to be brown algae, because it looks to have spread to my live rock. Is this too early to make that assumption? If it is brown algae what can I do? I have got purified water curing to perform water changes to get suspected R.O water out. The reason my salinity is at 1.021 is because all local dealers are at 1.021 and I was given the advice of keeping with them for ease of stress on fish.

chud · 12-30-2003, 12:09 AM

As for the lighting system I have a coralife tank light with 2x atinic/ 2x 10,000K light. The atinic is on a 10 hour timer, amd the 10,000K come on for 4 hours to simulate midday. Is this good?

Craig Manoukian · 12-30-2003, 12:43 AM

Three fish in one month is a little too fast as far as stocking your tank. You have not given your bacteria time to increase and handle the bioload. This is probably resulting in a nitrate buildup as your dentrification is behind the bioload. Diatoms, algae blooms, and red cyanobacteria thrive on the nitrates.

It is better to add fish very slowly to allow your tank to properly mature. While diatoms, algae blooms, and cyano are a regular part of the tank maturation process overstocking will only exacerbate the situation.

Go slow and let it grow.

HTH

Travis · 12-31-2003, 11:50 AM

Great advice Craig, Karma coming at ya!

T

Scooterman · 12-31-2003, 01:05 PM

I've heard fish will have less chance of getting sick or something at lower SG but it wouldn't hurt them to acclimate them to a higher SG. Your lighting seems to be good if it is VHO or PC I'm guessing. Your LR, how much do you have?
Do you plan on having more than just fish? Post some of your measurments and with what type & manufacturer of the kits. The more information you post the better chance we can provide you with sound help. The bloom seems normal at just on month so whatever you do don't panic!

Cougra · 12-31-2003, 01:49 PM

I agree that you are having a diatom bloom in your tank at the moment. It's a perfectly normal part of the maturation process. The brown film you see covering everything are dead diatoms that have fallen out of the water column. I recommend that you do a light vacuuming of them to remove as much as possible so they don't decay in your tank.

Welcome to the saltwater world and reef sanctuary! You've just embarked on a rewarding, draining (financially and emotionally), addictive journey!

JennM · 01-01-2004, 08:21 PM

Diatoms -- totally normal and expected and harmless (even if unsightly) for this stage of your tank's development. Just bear with it, stir up the sand a bit, and clean the glass, and this too shall pass.

Jenn

12-29-2003, 10:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
chud Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Did I do it right? I am on my first tank. i have 46 gallon with fully cured fiji, aragonite substrate bottom, remora skimmer, purple tang, false clown, and purple pseudochromis. All my levels appear to be right on with an SG 1.021. Problem is my substrate is starting to vary in coloration. Is this normal?

12-29-2003, 11:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	Good ?s john, also how long has it been set up? __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

12-29-2003, 11:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would raise my SG to 1.024 or 1.025. To me that is to low. Raise it slowly. Like johnlewis said Does it appear to be covered with a coat of slime ? What color are you seeing ? Did you use RO water to start ? What is your Calcium level ? Do you have a pic? __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-29-2003, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Oh Yah, Welcome to the Sanctuary, Chud. Where in AZ are you? __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

12-29-2003, 03:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 17,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Welcome Chud. Not to be an alarmist, but your tank, unless 48" in length, will not provide sufficient lateral swim room for the Purple Tang. The lenght of time your system has been up and running would be of great help. Could be a normal red cyanobacteria stage, but without more information, just a guess. __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-29-2003, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	Does it appear to be covered with a coat of slime ? What color are you seeing ? Did you use RO water to start ? What is your Calcium level ?

12-29-2003, 09:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,557 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Another question... the substrate, is that crushed coral or aragonite sand? CC would be big chunks, and not a very good idea. I would go with no substrate before using crushed coral, just causes problems in the long run. T __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

12-29-2003, 10:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
mnreefman Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,393 View Gallery Karma Komment	i agree with the all above statements... algae and diatoms are a part of the tank maturation process, give us some more infor pertaining to age, lights, filters, substrate ect ect... and welcome to reef sanctuary __________________ http://reefrock.com

12-30-2003, 12:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
chud Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for all the replies. I have had the tank up and running for 1 month. The aragonite is sand not coral. I used R.O> water but I am begining to think my filter was bad. I am in the East valley of AZ. It appears to be brown algae, because it looks to have spread to my live rock. Is this too early to make that assumption? If it is brown algae what can I do? I have got purified water curing to perform water changes to get suspected R.O water out. The reason my salinity is at 1.021 is because all local dealers are at 1.021 and I was given the advice of keeping with them for ease of stress on fish.

12-30-2003, 12:09 AM	#10 (permalink)
chud Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 3 View Gallery Karma Komment	As for the lighting system I have a coralife tank light with 2x atinic/ 2x 10,000K light. The atinic is on a 10 hour timer, amd the 10,000K come on for 4 hours to simulate midday. Is this good?

12-30-2003, 12:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 17,911 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Three fish in one month is a little too fast as far as stocking your tank. You have not given your bacteria time to increase and handle the bioload. This is probably resulting in a nitrate buildup as your dentrification is behind the bioload. Diatoms, algae blooms, and red cyanobacteria thrive on the nitrates. It is better to add fish very slowly to allow your tank to properly mature. While diatoms, algae blooms, and cyano are a regular part of the tank maturation process overstocking will only exacerbate the situation. Go slow and let it grow. HTH __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

12-31-2003, 11:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
Travis Smilie Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 6,557 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Great advice Craig, Karma coming at ya! T __________________ Help build the Encyclopedia of ReefKeeping Find over 1400 Reef Aquarium Articles at The Reef Aquarium Index

12-31-2003, 01:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
Scooterman Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 1,184 View Gallery Karma Komment	I've heard fish will have less chance of getting sick or something at lower SG but it wouldn't hurt them to acclimate them to a higher SG. Your lighting seems to be good if it is VHO or PC I'm guessing. Your LR, how much do you have? Do you plan on having more than just fish? Post some of your measurments and with what type & manufacturer of the kits. The more information you post the better chance we can provide you with sound help. The bloom seems normal at just on month so whatever you do don't panic! __________________ Scott Ardoin (Ard-Dwan)

12-31-2003, 01:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree that you are having a diatom bloom in your tank at the moment. It's a perfectly normal part of the maturation process. The brown film you see covering everything are dead diatoms that have fallen out of the water column. I recommend that you do a light vacuuming of them to remove as much as possible so they don't decay in your tank. Welcome to the saltwater world and reef sanctuary! You've just embarked on a rewarding, draining (financially and emotionally), addictive journey! __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

01-01-2004, 08:21 PM	#15 (permalink)
JennM Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	Diatoms -- totally normal and expected and harmless (even if unsightly) for this stage of your tank's development. Just bear with it, stir up the sand a bit, and clean the glass, and this too shall pass. Jenn __________________ JennM Owner:Imagine Ocean

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