What is this??

[Bmw015]

Morning! Noticed brown bubbles in my tank. Turned the white lights on and the water was greenish/brownish. My tank is 9 months old. I didn’t retest much yet. Just went straight to cleaning/ water change mode.

As I was cleaning, I took the first two pictures, the last picture was taken on 3/26. It’s slimy. Don’t see anything on my rocks. My sand bed isn’t as clean as it was. But I wouldn’t say there’s a coating on them. I moved it around about 4 days ago because I had diatoms from adding sand a few weeks ago. I would say the

sand is brown tinted. Not as white as it was.

Did get phosphates at .13. Up from a test a week ago. As soon as I finish a water change, I’ll retest.

But as of 3/26..

Calcium 340
Alk 8.1
Magnesium 100
Salinity 1.024
Phosphates .09

I dosed 2 part since 3/26 and do not dose regularly. Working on that. I don’t test Nitrates because I can’t read the dang test properly. Every time I think I do it correctly, I go to my LFS and they say it’s 20 point higher.

As of right now, I pulled the skimmer because it hasn’t been skimming properly. Probably due to lack of maintenance. Though I did do a through cleaning with vinegar 2 months ago.

Cleaned the media reactor (also not thoroughly cleaned since February). Replaced the filter sock, which I replace on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s. Religiously. I added a second filter sock. I pulled the GFO bag that I put in 2 months ago. Pulled some 2 month old filter floss I forgot was there.

I haven’t replaced my Marine Pure bioballs since I got them on 1/17. How long do they last?

Just a note, my anemone’s have split. The Rose on 3/1. One of the Rainbows on 3/21. Maybe one of my 5 BTA’s spawned?

Sorry this is long. Wanted to provide as much info as possible.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Looks like a typo on your magnesium and Nitrates would be a good nutrient to dial in on testing. IME brown is dyno's from higher nutrients maybe from having your skimmer off and lack of maintenance as you mentioned. Media and filtration need to be kept up on a regular basis for it to continue to contribute to the stability your tank has been accustomed too.

 

[Leadfooted]

I'm not sure about the algae but beautiful tank! Keep a super close eye on the Hollywood Stunner feeders that come out at night, they're reeeeeeeally long and in time that amazing blasto could be in danger. I also noticed your CA at 340, I'd slowly increase that closer to 420. 340's kinda the edge I prefer not to walk along.

 

[Bmw015]

Looks like a typo on your magnesium and Nitrates would be a good nutrient to dial in on testing. IME brown is dyno's from higher nutrients maybe from having your skimmer off and lack of maintenance as you mentioned. Media and filtration need to be kept up on a regular basis for it to continue to contribute to the stability your tank has been accustomed too.

Lol. Sorry. Mag is 1000. Skimmer has been on until today. Just a bit dirty. Do you know if Salifert is easier to read? Or maybe someone needs to school me on my Red Sea Nitrate test kit. Do I test for the high test range? Low? Both?

 

[Bmw015]

I'm not sure about the algae but beautiful tank! Keep a super close eye on the Hollywood Stunner feeders that come out at night, they're reeeeeeeally long and in time that amazing blasto could be in danger. I also noticed your CA at 340, I'd slowly increase that closer to 420. 340's kinda the edge I prefer not to walk along.

Thank you!!! It’s been doing well until today. And really, only 2 anemone and one Magician polyp are reacting atm.

I’ve been dosing calcium since 3/26. In equal part to Alk. And since Alk is decent, I’ve only been dosing 11ml of each every day until 4/5. However, that calculation doesn’t account for the loss of Alk and Calcium on a daily basis. I do need a regular dosing schedule.

I thought I saw a sweeper tentacle. It was short that time. I didn’t realize they get super long. Seems happy in that corner, so I’ll move him up. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[Leadfooted]

I learned the hard way, lost a few blasto's and Acan's to my Hollywood and a big lobo too. It's not easy but set your alarm one time to 3am and check your DT with a UV light or just flashlight thats shaded. I was amazed to see that for the first time.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Lol. Sorry. Mag is 1000. Skimmer has been on until today. Just a bit dirty. Do you know if Salifert is easier to read? Or maybe someone needs to school me on my Red Sea Nitrate test kit. Do I test for the high test range? Low? Both?

I'd slowly raise your magnesium to 1200ish... my opinion.

I do like salifert slightly better then my red sea but I use them to check each other as well. It is easier. I'd just do a normal range and if you find that you are outside of that then adjust as needed.

 

[Bmw015]

I learned the hard way, lost a few blasto's and Acan's to my Hollywood and a big lobo too. It's not easy but set your alarm one time to 3am and check your DT with a UV light or just flashlight thats shaded. I was amazed to see that for the first time.

I’m up at 1 for sure. But I’m not usually looking at my tank. I believe you tho. And will move it as soon as I get my water from the LFS to do a water change. I do intermittent fasting, so I wanted to go after I finished eating. [emoji1787][emoji1787]. My poor tank, eating is definitely my priority (especially if you haven’t in 16 hours). It’s looking less greenish/brownish though.