Started this tank with live sand and about 30 percent water from an established tank. Also some live rock. It's been running a week now and I see this algae on the sandbed. Check my levels and I have 0 ammonia but have some nitrite and nitrate. PH is good. Is this normal or should I do a water change. Was gonna add some fish tomorrow.
Confused
- Thread starter Tstanfill
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bobman
Well-Known Member
Cayno bacteria!!!! I would not have used live sand from another tank. Sand tend to hold nasties. A cup at the most would be ok but no more. Also never ever ever use someone elses water as little to no bacteria is actually in the water column instead only nasties.
For now I would let everything settle do large water changes and not add anything yet as it will only fuel the cayno.
For now I would let everything settle do large water changes and not add anything yet as it will only fuel the cayno.
bobman
Well-Known Member
Well the picture shows red slime alge. Brown could be either the slime is dieing or as I can also see in the pic some diatoms. If its diatoms then your good but I would still wait a litle longer before adding an fish maybe a small clean up crew. The diatoms will go away on its own. However you started this thread less than an hour ago. Cayno just dont die that easy. Do you still have your lights on? It will cut back and have a brownish appearance when lights are off but will return happy and red when lights come back on.
Coralsdaily
Well-Known Member
Honestly no need to panic. Every one of my newly established tank goes through a period of cyanobacteria. It's part of cycling. stay put, do regular water change (no need to up the cadence) and keep nutrient under control you'll be fine. Also, if you are only cycling the tank with no coral in there yet, just keep the lights off for a couple days the cyano will disappear. See my post on it: http://bluemarineart.com/2014/11/20141102-cyanobacteria-brown-slime-algae-problem/
My tank at week 6 had diatoms all over (normal part of cycle), week 8 no diatoms and LOTS of coraline growth. I used a back scratcher to gently rack the sand bed, I cleaned the glass with a mag cleaner, I cleaned my pre-filter, I added 12 total snails and 1 emerald crab, I added my wavemaker. Since then my tank has looked pristine. No more diatoms just good algae.
Here is a before and after. The diatoms got a little worse after this pick, but then got better after I did all of the above changes.
![IMG_0200[1].JPG](https://test9.reef2reef.com/attachments/img_0200-1-jpg.264862/ "IMG_0200[1].JPG")
![IMG_0294[1].JPG](https://test9.reef2reef.com/attachments/img_0294-1-jpg.264863/ "IMG_0294[1].JPG")
Here is a before and after. The diatoms got a little worse after this pick, but then got better after I did all of the above changes.
bobman
Well-Known Member
All looks to be good as stated cayno is part of the cycleing process. I have never had an issue with cayno during cycling but it is normal. Especially with old sand and water. You added netuernts faster than your bio filtration could consume. Just keep up on water changes and add stock to tank slowly. The cayno should go away. It back come back from time to time in the beginning stages but even though its unsightly its normal and there for a reason. Once it consumes what its there to cosume it will go away.
