Help?

[TioTom]

Hey guys . First off . I know this is a reef forum. I have a FOWLR for now. And was needing some help. I had a 120 in perfect running conditions . Never lost a fish . Decided to upgrade to a 210 7'. Long tank. And ran into an issue. I've lost some fish and no signs of bullying so not sure if this is the issue . Plus I have this stuff seen on attachments on my sandbed. If I disturb or remove it comes right back the next day... What could be the reason.? Any input. Is greatly appreciated.
My lights were white-100/ blue-60. I thought this could be the reason for the "stuff" on my sand... So I lowered them to
White- max50
Blue- max 35

Parameters:
Salinity- 1.0021
NO3- 40
NO2- 0
Ph- 8.4
KH- 180
Ammonia- 0

Ca-390

 

[happyhourhero]

Looks just like the normal diatom phase kicking in on a new tank.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Mine went through diatom bloom which cleared up magically one day....and is now back a week later.

 

[TioTom]

Looks just like the normal diatom phase kicking in on a new tank.

I forgot to mention. I used about 100 gallons of the "established" water from my mature 120 when I moved everything over. ... The sand is new though. How do I take care of it. Or prevent it ? Will it go away on its own? Will it harm my fish I have in there . ?

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

Those are diatoms. Very commonly found in newer tanks. Reducing your lighting as you did won't have too much of an effect on them. What's your water source? You may want to consider investing in a RO system if your just using tap water.

 

[TioTom]

Those are diatoms. Very commonly found in newer tanks. Reducing your lighting as you did won't have too much of an effect on them. What's your water source? You may want to consider investing in a RO system if your just using tap water.

Yes it is tap water I use. Treat it. Mix it . Let it sit a couple of days with power heads . Always used this method. Didn't see it as much in my 120. Could it be cause it is more water volume ? How long should I expect it to show in my tank ? I have been looking around for an RO system that won't hurt my wallet so much lol. will my fish be safe in this ?

 

[TioTom]

Mine went through diatom bloom which cleared up magically one day....and is now back a week later.

Did you do anything different ?

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

Yes it is tap water I use. Treat it. Mix it . Let it sit a couple of days with power heads . Always used this method. Didn't see it as much in my 120. Could it be cause it is more water volume ? How long should I expect it to show in my tank ? I have been looking around for an RO system that won't hurt my wallet so much lol. will my fish be safe in this ?

I'm sure you can look on amazon and fine one cheaper, but I've seen most run ~$100 for a 100 gal/day system. It will increase water quality tenfold therefore helping the overall health of any tank additions. Definetly a must have!

 

[TioTom]

I'm sure you can look on amazon and fine one cheaper, but I've seen most run ~$100 for a 100 gal/day system. It will increase water quality tenfold therefore helping the overall health of any tank additions. Definetly a must have!

Thank you !
Will my fish be fine in this for now ?

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

Thank you !
Will my fish be fine in this for now ?

For now.. what fish do you have? Try to get a RO unit as soon as possible.

 

[TioTom]

For now.. what fish do you have? Try to get a RO unit as soon as possible.

Different Tangs and angels. And a couple of skunk cleaner shrimp and one fire shrimp .

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

I usually would be concerned about those types of fish in tap water, but if they've been in there for a while, they should be fine until you switch

 

[FishGuyBri]

Did you do anything different ?

Yep. Increased my lighting schedule and rearranged rock which stirred up a lot of he sand bed, which brought back the diatoms. They go away on their own after about two weeks in my experience so far.

 

[TioTom]

Yep. Increased my lighting schedule and rearranged rock which stirred up a lot of he sand bed, which brought back the diatoms. They go away on their own after about two weeks in my experience so far.

Yeah I stirred up the sand bed... And the next day it was right back again. Lol.

 

[TioTom]

What about my parameters ? What do y'all think ?

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

What about my parameters ? What do y'all think ?

They're to be expected for a tank w/ tap water. Preferably you'd do a water change to help bring the nitrate down, but the tap may also be a source of your nitrate.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

The kh is a bit low.. which can lead to fluctuations in ph (which may have been a cause of some of your fish loss?) while the kh is that low, I wouldn't do any water changes larger than 15% at a time.

What brand of salt are you using?

 

[TioTom]

The kh is a bit low.. which can lead to fluctuations in ph (which may have been a cause of some of your fish loss?) while the kh is that low, I wouldn't do any water changes larger than 15% at a time.

What brand of salt are you using?

I currently use instant ocean.. but switching over to red Sea . I can always go buy water from the watermills. They sell RO water

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

lots of people use tap water as along as its treated. brown stuff is diatoms and there is nothing to worry about them. soon as silicate levels in system go away so will diatoms. this is a simple phase of breaking in the tank.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

I currently use instant ocean.. but switching over to red Sea . I can always go buy water from the watermills. They sell RO water

When you make that transition with your salt, do it slowly. Those brands have very different chemistry and switching directly over could cause some issues. I'd ween your tank over to Red Sea in no less than 3 water changes. You'll prob want to do 70% instant ocean 30% Red Sea for your first WC, 50/50 for your second, and 30/70 for your 3rd. (Extending this would be preferable) you can do weekly/ biweekly waterchanges to accomplish this