Sugestions

[David Grubb]

So I got my tank cycled I do believe, everything is at zero except nitrates and they are between 5 and 10ppm. So I went and got a,couple clown fish and put them in a qt tank and low and behold I woke up on day 3 and they had white spots all over so now im treating for that as well. I also bought 5 blue leg crabs and 3 snails with a trunk on them lol ( dont know there name ) but my big proble is I'm getting alot of brown algae and need sugestions on how,many more or what I should get to help with the algae, I have a 55 gal tank so it seems like theres a lot of it in the tank now but dont want to get over run with it

 

[Peace River]

So I got my tank cycled I do believe, everything is at zero except nitrates and they are between 5 and 10ppm. So I went and got a,couple clown fish and put them in a qt tank and low and behold I woke up on day 3 and they had white spots all over so now im treating for that as well. I also bought 5 blue leg crabs and 3 snails with a trunk on them lol ( dont know there name ) but my big proble is I'm getting alot of brown algae and need sugestions on how,many more or what I should get to help with the algae, I have a 55 gal tank so it seems like theres a lot of it in the tank now but dont want to get over run with it

I'm sorry to hear about the fish. If you post pictures then we may be able to help with a more specific ID of the algae, but based on what you described it sounds like diatoms which is part of what some times is referred to as the "uglies stage" of a new tank.

 

[David Grubb]

I'm sorry to hear about the fish. If you post pictures then we may be able to help with a more specific ID of the algae, but based on what you described it sounds like diatoms which is part of what some times is referred to as the "uglies stage" of a new tank.

Yeah it is diatoms, what do you mean the ugly part of a new tank, will this go away over time or what would you suggest

 

[Peace River]

Here is a thread about New Tank "Uglies"

This is one specific post from the thread that captures the thought:

1. "New tank uglies" simply refers to the normal maturing process that a new tank will go through. It is something that should be permitted to happen as new tanks are out of balance, and this phase is the tank balancing out. Tank uglies appear because of a competitive imbalance. As an example, you may get something like brown algae because there isn't anything competing with it for it's food source. This is why letting it run it's course is important; so that competition for the food sources can grow and starve out the offending algae.

2. You don't want to avoid it as it is an important step to the finished product. You can minimize the appearance through manual removal. So I would suggest letting it run its course and use a toothbrush.

3. Think of new tank uglies as a waypoint on your journey to a healthy tank.

There are many people out there who will be quick to sell you all kinds of product designed to "fix" your issues. New tank uglies are not something to fix, but something to endure. It's hard to watch and that is why manual cleaning is a good strategy.

In the end, I feel over the counter solutions should be avoided when possible.