rust color on live sand and rock

[81Shaun]

what is this ? kind of getting out of control. tank has just been set up seeded with live sand and 2.5 live rock. nitrates around 20 ish. stuff is ugly looking and kind of bugging me. did a water change got rid of some of it and reduce nitrates. any idea ?

 

[jrbates08]

I don't see a photo?

 

[mike007]

Need to see a pic. If it is reddish and slimy it is probably cyno. This is caused by excess nutrients. Need to know your water parameters.

 

[81Shaun]

no way to put one on but not red cyno this is rust color . I understand a picture would be of benefit but no way to put one on

 

[Reefing Madness]

Probably Cyano. Whats your phosphates reading at?
If its rusy looking, then its Diatoms

 

[jrbates08]

I'm expriencing/learning about diatoms now....does it look like this?

 

[jrbates08]

From what I'm learning is that this meaning it's going through nitrogen cycle

 

[81Shaun]

not sure phosphate reading don't have kit yet waiting for it. yeah ive had cyno before its not red definitely is between maybe rust color and more brown. just set tank up i understand its impossible to say for sure without kits. but what is diatoms and what is the options ? thanks

 

[jrbates08]

Can u see the pic I posted

 

[Reefing Madness]

Diatoms

 

[81Shaun]

thanks yeah looks just like on sand from your pic its brown looking looks just like that

 

[mike007]

Diatoms

I agree must be diatoms.

 

[81Shaun]

normal ? though ? using rodi and reef crystals could have started from the 2.5 lbs live rock ? nothing been fed. should keep water changes or normal and will eventually go away?

 

[Defect]

Normal and will go away. I had them all over my sand and rock and now that I have a clean up crew in my tank sand is back to being all white. Still have some on my rocks.

 

[jrbates08]

I was informed that it gets worse before better and COMPLETELY normal. Just chillax and watch the change.

 

[81Shaun]

Thanks, had me a tad bit worried. I have dealt with red cyno before and got that cleared up. what clean up crew should I get for a small 24? going to d my best to keep po4 and nitrates down as very low as possible. Thanks, again

 

[Reefing Madness]

Its eating the silicates out of your system, and will die out when its gone.

 

[SantaMonica]

Typcial fun with a new tank