what is this?

[catchyy]

Hi all,

 

My tank (AR380) is just under way. It only has water and live sand it in as of now. I noticed that there is white residue seeping out of the top of the tank. I was wondering if that was normal and what it was exactly.

[caja]

Describe the white residue.

[catchyy]

when i try to wipe it off, it kinda just breaks off. So, its brittle and almost clear white.

[Crakeur]

anthrax?

 

is the white residue inside the tank or outside?

 

outside would be salt and could be a result of a slow leak.

inside the tank could be sand that is settling and sticking to the wall of the tank.

[caja]

Salt creep.

[catchyy]

it was outside the tank....it seeped out of the top of the tank and dribbled down the sides of it i believe.

 

Also, is it normal for the sand near the filter to be turning brown, more brown than other parts of the tank.

[caja]

Yep, that is salt creep for sure and the brown is diatoms forming. A normal part of the cycle process. They will spread and get worse then eventually die off and fade away.

[birdman204]

waiting for them to die and fade away is the worst!

[catchyy]

thanks for the help guys. so when it dies off, the brown stuff disappears?

[birdman204]

Well, your cleanup crew will take care of it. You can scrape it offm or use a turkey baster to blast the sand but, this too shall pass.

[Reefer_Buddha]

ah the turkey baster the unsung hero of nano reefing.