What isnthisngrowing on my sand and rock's?

Turtleman87 · Nov 17, 2021

Good evening! I am new to reef keeping. I completely cycled my tank added 2 fish a 4 corals on Saturday. I got home he from work and noticed reddish spots all over my sand and rocks. My top 2 rocks which I got as live rock from my local fish store and very dark red in color.
My nitrates and phosphates are all reading 0.

Should I be concerned? If so what should my next steps be.

Os sorry for the terrible typing of my title. Wasn't paying attention and tried to get this typed as fast as possible.

blaxsun · Nov 17, 2021

None of the images are showing, but I suspect it's probably the start of coralline algae (the purpleish algae that we all want covering our rocks).

Soren · Nov 17, 2021

Turtleman87 said:
Good evening! I am new to reef keeping. I completely cycled my tank added 2 fish a 4 corals on Saturday. I got home he from work and noticed reddish spots all over my sand and rocks. My top 2 rocks which I got as live rock from my local fish store and very dark red in color.
My nitrates and phosphates are all reading 0.

Should I be concerned? If so what should my next steps be.

Os sorry for the terrible typing of my title. Wasn't paying attention and tried to get this typed as fast as possible.

I can't see the pictures either, but I'd look into cyanobacteria as a possibility.

Turtleman87 · Nov 17, 2021

blaxsun said:
None of the images are showing, but I suspect it's probably the start of coralline algae (the purpleish algae that we all want covering our rocks).

I just re-upload the pictures. Hopefully you can see them now

blaxsun · Nov 17, 2021

Turtleman87 said:
I just re-upload the pictures. Hopefully you can see them now

The vast majority of it looks like coralline algae (the live rock looks a bit different, but it's also live rock so...). As your tank just cycled I don't think this is necessarily anything to be concerned with.

Billldg · Nov 17, 2021

I am going to say its the start of the ugly stage, aka, Diatoms. The ugly stage is completely normal and most of us go thru it. I would start to dose something to get you N03 and P04 up to something other than 0.

Turtleman87 · Nov 17, 2021

Billldg said:
I am going to say its the start of the ugly stage, aka, Diatoms. The ugly stage is completely normal and most of us go thru it. I would start to dose something to get you N03 and P04 up to something other than 0.

What would you recommend I dose? I am a newbie but don't I won't lower N03 and P04? Won't increasing give it more nutrients?

blaxsun · Nov 17, 2021

Most of this looks like coralline algae (highly desirable).

Billldg · Nov 17, 2021

Turtleman87 said:
What would you recommend I dose? I am a newbie but don't I won't lower N03 and P04? Won't increasing give it more nutrients?

Low N03 and P04, yes, 0 no. Especially in a new tank with mostly dry rock. I used NeoNitro and NeoPhos to help raise my levels. You want to increase nutrients in the tank so you get anything but double 0.

Turtleman87 · Nov 17, 2021

Billldg said:
Low N03 and P04, yes, 0 no. Especially in a new tank with mostly dry rock. I used NeoNitro and NeoPhos to help raise my levels. You want to increase nutrients in the tank so you get anything but double 0.

Oh okay got it. Thank you

Billldg · Nov 17, 2021

Turtleman87 said:
Oh okay got it. Thank you

Dry rock will absorb N03 and P04. It can also give Dino's a chance to take hold and cause far more issue, trust me, I know.

littlebeard · Nov 17, 2021

Billldg said:
Dry rock will absorb N03 and P04. It can also give Dino's a chance to take hold and cause far more issue, trust me, I know.

^ This * 1000.

I'm now in the avoid dino outbreaks at all cost club.

Ajayabb · Nov 17, 2021

TBH that looks like cyano. The API test kits can be unreliable. I would try to increase flow to the area and grab a better test kit. Usually cyano indicates a surplus of nutrients contrary to your test results