New tank old problems, diatoms?

[wjm6449]

I figure I’m hitting my ugly phase with my 125. I have two clownfish and a juvie sailfin tang - I just did a 10% water change.

Am I dealing with Dino’s or diatoms. On my rock there are some algae with bubbles on the top. I’m dosing with bacteria. I have my skimmer on. Lights for 6 hours a day. No coral yet. Only two hermit crabs.

Should I continue feeding every 12 hours or once a day. Should I add more fish? I took my water to my lfs and was informed there’s still some phosphates and nitrites and was told ‘wait 6 days before adding a fish or CUC’

the bloom wasn’t there two days ago. Now covers everything. Advice? Trying to not bomb the tank but also want to add/supply a CUC. Skimmer isn’t even producing skimmate.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It looks like diatoms to me. How old is this tank?

Feeding has nothing to do with diatoms, diatoms in new tanks feeds off the silicates in new sand, they will die out in a week or two with the silicates have been consumed.

 

[wjm6449]

It looks like diatoms to me. How old is this tank?

Feeding has nothing to do with diatoms, diatoms in new tanks feeds off the silicates in new sand, they will die out in a week or two with the silicates have been consumed.

About a week and a half old.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

you cycled the tank with the fish? Thats unnecessary since a bottle of bacteria can cycle the tank in a few days without harming fish.

If you have nitrite in the water then the tank is still cycling and not ready for fish yet.

I agree with the LFS you should wait a few weeks to get more fish, let the system stabilize before adding more bioload. Stock the tank slowly.

Look into buying some test kits before adding new livestock, its the only way we have of measuring the water quality.

 

[Lavey29]

If you have no coral then you don't need lights on. Fish don't need lights. If you do this for several months then your tank will develop biodiversity and microfauna so when you do add coral and light your ugly phases will be more manageable.

 

[wjm6449]

you cycled the tank with the fish? Thats unnecessary since a bottle of bacteria can cycle the tank in a few days without harming fish.

If you have nitrite in the water then the tank is still cycling and not ready for fish yet.

I agree with the LFS you should wait a few weeks to get more fish, let the system stabilize before adding more bioload. Stock the tank slowly.

Look into buying some test kits before adding new livestock, its the only way we have of measuring the water quality.

I have phosphate and nitrate. Don’t have other test kits yet.