Back Into The Hobby

[Figstr]

Hi everyone. A bit of background: I started with freshwater way back when I was a kid about 40 years ago. I was in and out of the hobby most of life since life circumstances kept changing. Then, several years ago life settled down and I got back into permantely. After a couple years running a few freshwater, I decided to try my hand at saltwater. Unfortunatly I wasn't very successful, but that was my fault and found the problem months later. Anyway, I eventually started a couple other saltwater tanks and things were looking up. Then a divorce, and another move put things on hold until recently. I just recently set up one of my tanks and am currently cycling it. It's an Oceanic 54 corner with an eheim canister (don't want to run a sump in this tank), Remora HOB skimmer, live sand, dead rock being seeded with a piece of life rock from my local LFS, PC lighting. The problem with the lighting fixture is only once side of the ballast is working. So I'm only running 1 50/50 bulb until I can replace the ballast.

The problem, which I've never had before, is I'm getting brown algae growing on the substrate and live (dead for now) rock. I should mention the rock is what I used before and has been sitting in sterile containers the past few years. I currenly have 1 yellow tail damsel cycling the tank right now. The tank has been running for nearly a month, but cycling for only 2 weeks.

 

[Fishinizer]

Good luck

 

[jy544]

Hi everyone. A bit of background: I started with freshwater way back when I was a kid about 40 years ago. I was in and out of the hobby most of life since life circumstances kept changing. Then, several years ago life settled down and I got back into permantely. After a couple years running a few freshwater, I decided to try my hand at saltwater. Unfortunatly I wasn't very successful, but that was my fault and found the problem months later. Anyway, I eventually started a couple other saltwater tanks and things were looking up. Then a divorce, and another move put things on hold until recently. I just recently set up one of my tanks and am currently cycling it. It's an Oceanic 54 corner with an eheim canister (don't want to run a sump in this tank), Remora HOB skimmer, live sand, dead rock being seeded with a piece of life rock from my local LFS, PC lighting. The problem with the lighting fixture is only once side of the ballast is working. So I'm only running 1 50/50 bulb until I can replace the ballast.

The problem, which I've never had before, is I'm getting brown algae growing on the substrate and live (dead for now) rock. I should mention the rock is what I used before and has been sitting in sterile containers the past few years. I currenly have 1 yellow tail damsel cycling the tank right now. The tank has been running for nearly a month, but cycling for only 2 weeks.

Welcome back! Do you have a picture of the algae? Sounds normal to me. The rocks will sometime get a coating of algae during the cycling period.

 

[Figstr]

Good luck

If you don't have anything constructive to add, don't!

 

[Figstr]

Welcome back! Do you have a picture of the algae? Sounds normal to me. The rocks will sometime get a coating of algae during the cycling period.

Thanks for the feedback. I was concerned since I don't ever recall having brown algae crop up during a cycle.

 

[cdrewferd]

Brown algae during the cycle is normal and wanted. Once it goes away do your normal testing and your tank will probably be cycled.

 

[kfennell]

Are you using RODI water with TDS 0? If not its possible that is cotributing to your algae as well apart from the fact that you are cycling.

 

[Figstr]

Are you using RODI water with TDS 0? If not its possible that is cotributing to your algae as well apart from the fact that you are cycling.

Unfortunatly due to a divorce and a move, my RO unit (6 stage) was lost. I'm using water from the "Water Mill" down the street that goes through a 7 stage process - RO and UV.

 

[OurReef]

What goals do you have for the tank? Lps, softies, sps, fish only, or mixed reef?

 

[kfennell]

Using that water is your problem, you NEED to use RODI Water or you will have algae problems, spend the $120 now and save yourself the trouble.

 

[Figstr]

What goals do you have for the tank? Lps, softies, sps, fish only, or mixed reef?

This particular tank will be a FOWLR. My larger tank, which is reef ready, will be a reef for beginners. I have a lot of research to do since I've never done a reef before. That however, is many months away.

 

[Figstr]

Using that water is your problem, you NEED to use RODI Water or you will have algae problems, spend the $120 now and save yourself the trouble.

The watermill produced RODI water. However, I have been looking at RODI units because of your reply. I found one with 3 DI stages, plus the normal filtration and I found others with DI and an inline carbon filter following the DI unit. Both are very reasonable. Would a 3 stage DI unit be more beneficial than a single stage DI and what about the inline carbon filter that follows the DI unit?

I apprecieat all of your replies and help- thanks everyone.

 

[revsgirl]

Welcome to R2R!!