Is this normal?!!!!! 2 weeks into cycling HELP!!!

[tjsweldind94]

My live rock was pretty much white when I got it with a little reddish maroon on it, not there’s some brown algae or something on it also is this normal also little bubbles coming from the reddish areas pictures below, any suggestions it’s 2 weeks into cycling

 

[RobB'z Reef]

those are diatoms, that is very normal. Based on your question, I'm highly recommending you do further research on this forum regarding diatoms, cycling tanks and how nutrient uptake and export works. This shouldn't be a surprise if you've done your homework in advance. If you get stuck there are a ton of experts on this, but you should put in the effort first.

My live rock was pretty much white when I got it with a little reddish maroon on it, not there’s some brown algae or something on it also is this normal also little bubbles coming from the reddish areas pictures below, any suggestions it’s 2 weeks into cycling

 

[tjsweldind94]

those are diatoms, that is very normal. Based on your question, I'm highly recommending you do further research on this forum regarding diatoms, cycling tanks and how nutrient uptake and export works. This shouldn't be a surprise if you've done your homework in advance. If you get stuck there are a ton of experts on this, but you should put in the effort first.

ive done tons of research and have red a book this is just my first salt tank and I’m kinda wanting to confirm my knowledge and make sure I am right on what I’m thinking but thank you for you input

 

[RobB'z Reef]

was your assumption diatoms? just curious this hobby is so complex it can be overwhelming initially... If i had a nickel for every hour I've spent reading on here I'd have 10 tanks by now haha

 

[vetteguy53081]

Diatoms and what may be developement of cyano. Tank is not yet cycled but doing what it typically will do during a cycle process.

 

[brandon429]

those growths mean your whole tank is cycled, nice job. u thought bad stuff was happening but the most reliable confirmation of a closed cycle is happening, neat.

(at no time in reefing do benthic growths emerge on top of non cycled surfaces. These organisms are a community set that happen after basic filtration bacteria have set up shop first, on the submerged items)

we know you've fed and waited + inoculated with life by what's growing on the rocks.

lift up the rocks out of the tank, wipe or rinse off the growths, set back in now cleaned, doesnt harm anything. is basic new reef gardening, no params are bad or anything.

from your pics, not all the rocks might have been pre-submerged but the ones with primary growths sure were, ive never seen a dry rock system develop layers of invasion (cyano on diatoms rough estimates you can see the pigmentation though) if it was bare white dry rock 14 days ago, some of those look wet already from the pet store and then you had them 14 days longer

 

[tjsweldind94]

those growths mean your whole tank is cycled, nice job. u thought bad stuff was happening but the most reliable confirmation of a closed cycle is happening, neat.

(at no time in reefing do benthic growths emerge on top of non cycled surfaces. These organisms are a community set that happen after basic filtration bacteria have set up shop first, on the submerged items)

we know you've fed and waited + inoculated with life by what's growing on the rocks.

lift up the rocks out of the tank, wipe or rinse off the growths, set back in now cleaned, doesnt harm anything. is basic new reef gardening, no params are bad or anything.

from your pics, not all the rocks might have been pre-submerged but the ones with primary growths sure were, ive never seen a dry rock system develop layers of invasion (cyano on diatoms rough estimates you can see the pigmentation though) if it was bare white dry rock 14 days ago, some of those look wet already from the pet store and then you had them 14 days longer

Okay awesome I appreciate the input and yes I bought one live rock and the rest dry I was told that the dry rocks would seed and I wouldn’t be able to tell a difference between the two in a couple months is this right?

 

[tjsweldind94]

These are the other rocks

 

[tjsweldind94]

was your assumption diatoms? just curious this hobby is so complex it can be overwhelming initially... If i had a nickel for every hour I've spent reading on here I'd have 10 tanks by now haha

Yes it was diatoms I just wanted to know if I was right lol and yes I have constantly been reading on this it’s like going to college all over agin

 

[Cell]

Live rock gave you instant cycle. Just stock slowly now.

 

[terraincognita]

Yes it was diatoms I just wanted to know if I was right lol and yes I have constantly been reading on this it’s like going to college all over agin

Looks Great! Like the start of an awesome budding tank!

It's a fine balance of letting the uglies be, and not letting them get too crazy.

It may sound "stupid" but honestly, best advice is after you've researched and studied for yourself, trust your gut.

If you feel like it might be "too much" you're probably right. And no one on this forum is going to have a deeper or better understanding of your tank than you.

This is definitely not anywhere near "too much" at all. But if it ever gets to that point. Don't be afraid of asking because now you're scared.

Someone will always help and answer here. Even if we're tired of answering the same exact question over and over....

we still do.....

Promise.

 

[tjsweldind94]

Live rock gave you instant cycle. Just stock slowly now.

Is it okay to clean the diatoms of the rock like stated above?

 

[tjsweldind94]

Looks Great! Like the start of an awesome budding tank!

It's a fine balance of letting the uglies be, and not letting them get too crazy.

It may sound "stupid" but honestly, trust your gut.

If you feel like it might be "too much" you're probably right.

This is definitely not anywhere near "too much" at all. But if it ever gets to that point. Don't be afraid of asking because now you're scared.

Someone will always help and answer here. Even if we're tired of answering the same exact question over and over....

we still do.....

Promise.

Thank you so much that’s awesome I appreciate it

 

[terraincognita]

Is it okay to clean the diatoms of the rock like stated above?

Yes, but don't.

Just let it be.

Better to keep your hands and things out of the tank as much as possible. If we said "it's a problem clean it" then do it. But since we're saying "It's normal bro, it's another day in the park" Just let it be a day in the park.

I promise you more success with the KISS method on a first time around, than anything else.

Once you really understand more and understand everything about reefing as well as you know how to tie your shoes, then you can tinker.

Until then it's like a surgeon going in a body without knowledge. You're gonna cut something you shouldn't.

I will drop a little knowledge.

Biodiversity is a great natural cure for Diatoms and Dino's.

 

[CMMorgan]

Dinos and diatoms happen. It's a good thing. I let mine go hog for a bit and then clean it up before they take over the sand. They will come back occasionally. NBD
If you get red slimy stuff... that is cyanobacteria. No bueno
If you get little mercury covered bubbles .... that is not caviar. It's bubble algae and emerald crabs will make short work of it.
Circle of life... isn't it awesome!!! Congrats on the new tank.

 

[Cell]

I'd blow it off during my next water change. Generally speaking, you want to keep on top of algae blooms. Diatoms are a bit different as they primarily show up early in reef tank's life and eventually get out-competed, I think, but still doesn't hurt to blow it off the rocks and export it with the water.