JustAddSalt Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I have had my tank up and running for a few weeks now and this brown stuff is just coating my sand and starting to coat the sides of my tank as well. I use a magnetic scraper to clean the glass but its getting to the point where even 1-2 times a day doesn't seem to be enough. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Link to comment
saltohio Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I have had my tank up and running for a few weeks now and this brown stuff is just coating my sand and starting to coat the sides of my tank as well. I use a magnetic scraper to clean the glass but its getting to the point where even 1-2 times a day doesn't seem to be enough. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Tank is in the process of cycling, what are your prameters? Is that a clown is see in your uncycled tank? Link to comment
Gerk Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Prob a diatom bloom, what CUC do you have? Think usually hermits / snails will help by sifting and stirring up the bed. Link to comment
Ezsharkman Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 +1 to What saltohio said. Link to comment
Fluffeh Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 +1 to letting it cycle before adding fish Link to comment
JustAddSalt Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 The tank isn't really "new", I inherited the live rock, sand, livestock, and equipment from a friend who had the tank up and running for about a year. The aquarium she gave me cracked and so I bought a 10 gallon to put everything in, but other than that nothing is new. It had not really been up and running the last few months she had it, just sat in a corner in her living room with lights off and filter going. I didn't want to throw all of her stuff away and start over with new animals so I just kept hers. There are 4 little hermit crabs, a nassarius snail (I think, Haven't seen it in awhile) and some other larger snail with a pointed turban like shell and the clown, plus all the critters on the live rock. Link to comment
FlCandy Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 What are your params? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphates? Something is not right because you have Diatoms. The tank may cycle as the sand was old and probably had waste built up in it and when you moved it, it was released. I would test everything and probably do a waterchange. Seems everything was cured but you may have kicked up a bunch of bad stuff using the old sand. Link to comment
ldballoon4 Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 It will go away by itself, just do your water changes and check your parameters. You moved in a little too quickly with your livestock to a new tank. Link to comment
MFChop Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 I have the same thing developing in my tank but Im 2 months in and just with a CUC right now, It might be the lighting your using / time its on Link to comment
ngoodermuth Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 It sounds like a "mini-cycle" from disturbing the old sand bed in the move. I'm hoping the "experts" on here might provide more detailed direction on how to reduce the effects of the cycle, I've heard of "soft-cycling" by doing frequent water changes. I will be researching this myself before upgrading my tank, as I'm not certain if it is better to just replace the current sand bed entirely. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has input on re-using an established sandbed such as this? Link to comment
FlCandy Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 From what I have read and heard it's usually better to just trash the sand and go with a new bed. Or you can try rinsing the old sand very thoroughly (giant PITA from what I have heard). There is a thread dedicated to a soft cycle for a new tank just use the search option. I think you are going through a mini cycle, so watch your new params and I think your going to have to do many small water changes or you may lose the livestock. Good luck and someone please correct me if I am wrong. Oh here the Soft Cycle Thread http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=180442 Link to comment
JustAddSalt Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 It sounds like a "mini-cycle" from disturbing the old sand bed in the move. I'm hoping the "experts" on here might provide more detailed direction on how to reduce the effects of the cycle, I've heard of "soft-cycling" by doing frequent water changes. I will be researching this myself before upgrading my tank, as I'm not certain if it is better to just replace the current sand bed entirely. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has input on re-using an established sandbed such as this? So, should I not vacuum the sand bed when I do water changes? Link to comment
FlCandy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 So, should I not vacuum the sand bed when I do water changes? You can just don't stir it up. The only thing you want to get in the siphon is detritus and algae. I keep mine tilted so I can skim just over the sand and suck everything up without disturbing it. Link to comment
JustAddSalt Posted September 20, 2011 Author Share Posted September 20, 2011 You can just don't stir it up. The only thing you want to get in the siphon is detritus and algae. I keep mine tilted so I can skim just over the sand and suck everything up without disturbing it. Great. And just FYI, my pH is 8.4, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0. I don't have a Ca test but guess I should get one. Thank you all for the help I am sure I will need more in the future. Link to comment
FlCandy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Great. And just FYI, my pH is 8.4, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 0. I don't have a Ca test but guess I should get one. Thank you all for the help I am sure I will need more in the future. Also check for Phosphates. That is #1 for algae growth. Link to comment
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