Brown Stuff... Everywhere.

[EmilyXLC]

So, the past few days there has been brown algae out the ying yang in my cycling tank. It's all over the glass, sand & rock. Is this what they call a 'diatom bloom'?

I'm about to head out the door but I can post pictures, parameters & whatnot when I get back....

If it IS a bloom, is there something I should be doing? The hubby is hooking the skimmer up tonight.

 

[jgraz]

Diatoms. Don't worry about them. They will burn out. Very common with new builds.

 

[Chameleon]

yeah i would not worry, but the getting the skimmer going cant hurt. my last tank had them about week two and about week 3 and a half they were almost completely gone. I think it is more common when starting with dry rock

 

[Chameleon]

oh those astrea type snails seem to help mow it down if you are worried

 

[tynman]

Dont put anything in there to fast. The algea will go away once the cycle is over.

 

[slugwall]

Diatoms. Don't worry about them. They will burn out. Very common with new builds.

+1 good call

 

[EmilyXLC]

Oh, thanks guys! I won't add any creatures until the tank is cycled. I don't want anyone to be in pain. : /

Is it okay for me to scrub the algae off the glass? It's driving the husband mad.

 

[markkazdad]

Oh, thanks guys! I won't add any creatures until the tank is cycled. I don't want anyone to be in pain. : /

Is it okay for me to scrub the algae off the glass? It's driving the husband mad.

Is there something on his honey-do list driving you mad?

 

[NanaReefer]

Yes you can clean the glass

 

[jgraz]

On the skimmer issue. You'll get mixed opinions on whether to run it during the cycle. Some do some don't. What I did was use the cycle time to help the skimmer break in. I set it up and ran it but pulled the plug to allow all skim mate to go back into the tank. That way when my cycle was over the skimmer was ready to go with no break in period.