what is going on? how do I fix it?

[12PMER]

I started my tank July 4th. And I've been steady checking my parameters. All good. Now the brown algae (diatoms). Yuck! What to do to get rid of it? CUC recommendations? Let it run its course? Ditch it and start over open to all advice.

 

[Alexoss]

Ugly phase is a step in the etablishment of a new tank, many have more problems trying to get rid of it than just being patient and waiting for the "phase" to run its course.
You can go with various snails that eats diatoms and other uglies to help with the view.

 

[elorablue]

1 Mexican turbo snail will get rid of that in a day.

"Ditch it and start over". You're joking right? LOL

 

[Snoopy 67]

No fish or corals --Turn OFF the lights!

 

[Idech]

In my 13.5 gallons I bought 1 x nassarius, 3 x cerith and 1 trochus snail. They did a fantastic job !

 

[12PMER]

1 Mexican turbo snail will get rid of that in a day.

"Ditch it and start over". You're joking right? LOL

Absolutely Joking.

 

[12PMER]

No fish or corals --Turn OFF the lights!

No fish or corals yet. Just put in a few different Snails, and 2 blue leg crabs.....still no lights??

 

[elorablue]

No fish or corals yet. Just put in a few different Snails, and 2 blue leg crabs.....still no lights??

Only coral will need lights. Ambient light will be fine for fish and inverts. Also there’s nothing in your tank for the crabs to eat so you might want to throw some food in there every few days or they’ll starve.

 

[12PMER]

Only coral will need lights. Ambient light will be fine for fish and inverts. Also there’s nothing in your tank for the crabs to eat so you might want to throw some food in there every few days or they’ll starve.

Roger that. I will do that.

 

[Timfish]

I for one would have the lights set for whatever corals you plan on getting. There's alot of stuff going on and changing the lights only messes with the equilibrium of the system. It doesn't help create the microbiomes needed for corals. See Aquabiomics article here for a better understanding of how the stuff on maricultured live rock helps create the right microbiome for a mature system.

Here's some other videos you might find informative:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas"

Changing Seas - Mysterious Microbes

Nitrogen cycling in hte coral holobiont

BActeria and Sponges

Maintenance of Coral Reef Health (refferences at the end)

Optical Feedback Loop in Colorful Coral Bleaching

Richard Ross What's up with phosphate"

 

[12PMER]

I for one would have the lights set for whatever corals you plan on getting. There's alot of stuff going on and changing the lights only messes with the equilibrium of the system. It doesn't help create the microbiomes needed for corals. See Aquabiomics article here for a better understanding of how the stuff on maricultured live rock helps create the right microbiome for a mature system.

Here's some other videos you might find informative:

"Coral Reefs in the Microbial Seas"

Changing Seas - Mysterious Microbes

Nitrogen cycling in hte coral holobiont

BActeria and Sponges

Maintenance of Coral Reef Health (refferences at the end)

Optical Feedback Loop in Colorful Coral Bleaching

Richard Ross What's up with phosphate"

Nice. Thanks. I will watch these for sure. I'm down with knowledge.

 

[Cell]

Blow off rocks and vacuum sandbed on your next water change. With no fish or coral, you could cut back on lighting or keep it off completely. It's time for some CUC as well. Not sure what size you tank is, but some snails and maybe a crab would help.