Ugly stage?

[Baba Ganoush]

Hi fellow reefers! I am ne to this process and would like some advice please.
I think I’m in the ugly stage? I have been consulting with my local aquarium store but just started watching the 5 minute Guide to Reefing, which I now realize I should have done BEFORE I set up the tank lol.

I have a 35 gallon tank and Fluval Canister filter. Originally when I bought the tank, I was not instructed to add live rock, so I only added the sand and salt water mix. Left it for about a month, then found out I should have added Live Rock. I bought the Live Rock from the aquarium store uncured and put it in the tank. Waited some time and then the store recommended adding 5 hermit crabs, which are in there now.
After watching some of the 5 Minute Guides to reefing, I want to make sure my tank is still salvageable or what steps to take next since I did things a bit out of order. Based on my research I think I am in the ugly stage? Any guidance on next steps would be much appreciated





I don’t know if I added these links right to show pictures, if not, guidance on that would be great too lol

 

[SPR1968]

It looks like the ugly stage, there are some things you can do to skip it, but if your new to this, most would just wait it out and it should sort itself out.

And welcome!

 

[Kennya]

Welcome to R2R.
Likely part of the ugly stage and looks predominantly like diatoms.

 

[chipchipbro]

Not sure if I didnt see it.. But did you use RO water?

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Take things slowly and all will come good In time. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Zach B]

Welcome

 

[jfoahs04]

Welcome! Looks like diatoms to me - pretty standard for a new reef. You’ll get there.

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef and congratulations on the new adventure!

 

[Waters]

Welcome !!

 

[69reefman]

Hello and welcome

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to R2R
It's ugly until it's not, be patient that will pass as the tank matures.
Good luck with your new tank!!!

 

[thatone08]

Welcome!

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Hi there! I moved your thread to this forum for better responses.

 

[Baba Ganoush]

Not sure if I didnt see it.. But did you use RO water?

No I did not, I just used tap and mixed the salt, waited a month and added the hermits. I will be investing in the system for future water changes though.

 

[Baba Ganoush]

It looks like the ugly stage, there are some things you can do to skip it, but if your new to this, most would just wait it out and it should sort itself out.

And welcome!

I am definitely going to wait it out. So since I am in this stage, I should NOT add anything else, correct? I noticed fish being added fairly earlier than expected after reading about new tanks, but now that I am in the ugly stage, I think I have to wait to do anything else? I am going to be doing a water change this week.

 

[chipchipbro]

No I did not, I just used tap and mixed the salt, waited a month and added the hermits. I will be investing in the system for future water changes though.

That could kind of be a problem in the longrun. Always use RO water.
@brandon429 what would you think here?

 

[LeftyReefer]

Do you have test kits for testing your water parameters?

In order to keep the ugly phase in check, you are going to need to keep an eye on your nutrient levels in the tank. Relying on an LFS to do all your testing isn't ideal.

 

[agueybana81]

Hi fellow reefers! I am ne to this process and would like some advice please.
I think I’m in the ugly stage? I have been consulting with my local aquarium store but just started watching the 5 minute Guide to Reefing, which I now realize I should have done BEFORE I set up the tank lol.

I have a 35 gallon tank and Fluval Canister filter. Originally when I bought the tank, I was not instructed to add live rock, so I only added the sand and salt water mix. Left it for about a month, then found out I should have added Live Rock. I bought the Live Rock from the aquarium store uncured and put it in the tank. Waited some time and then the store recommended adding 5 hermit crabs, which are in there now.
After watching some of the 5 Minute Guides to reefing, I want to make sure my tank is still salvageable or what steps to take next since I did things a bit out of order. Based on my research I think I am in the ugly stage? Any guidance on next steps would be much appreciated





I don’t know if I added these links right to show pictures, if not, guidance on that would be great too lol

My tank is going through the same. If you leave the lights off, the diatoms will be controlled really quick. However they can come back once you turn them back on. This happened to my tank as well. I have 2 clowns in mine. After a couple of weeks of going through the stage I notice that the diatoms are slowly fading. I am also starting to see spots clearing out on the rocks.

For the white stuff on the walls, it looks like it could be calcium buildup. You can use a steel razor blade to remove it, or use a flipper.

I also recommend testing the water with a kit. That would allow you to see the parameters and will show you where you need to work on. This will be useful when keeping lifestock in it and corals.