What On Earth Is Happening !!!!!

[Cheryl]

Thats it..... I'm here again ! ;)

My tank had cycled (according to my Lfs) as I had a mature filter (already seeded) and Live Rock which had been in a mature tank for 4yrs (approx)

Two weeks had passed with no movement in the test readings..... :)

We added 5 Green Chromis and 1 Blue Legged Hermit..... :D

All test readings remained un-changed..... :)

But we began to get a little hair algie (only on one rock).....
And this horrible brown stuff (it was only like a dusting after three days).... ;)

I confired with my Lfs and was advised to add some more Hermits.....
So we added 3 Red Legs and a further 4 Blue Legs (although two are really small)....

But the Brown 'algie' has just got worse and worse..... :(

The Blue legs hardly touch it although the Red Legs seam to take it in turns at 'having a go at it' .....



What is it?
and how can I get rid of it?

Thanks

Cheryl :wacko:

[kosh42]

Its all part of the new tank cycle... There are few who have avoided it. When you say a mature filter, what type of filter? Also, are you using a skimmer? A bit more info on the tank will help people give more specific advice...

Also, I find snails better clean up crew than crabs, myself... Try a mix of Turbo's, Trochus and others for best results...

Tim

[Darryl]

Cheryl, how much circulation have you in the tank ?. Don't worry too much it's just a phase your tank's going through.

[Cheryl]

I have a fluval 303 filter
My skimmer gives some
and two extra powerheads

Its not surging but from what I can see the water is moving everywhere...



Should this just die off then? ;)

[Darryl]

If it is a cyano type, try directing the flow down towards the sand a little. Yes as the tank matures it will die back, providing you follow sound practises, regards Darryl.

[Cheryl]

Well I hope I'm following sound practices then Darryl....

at the moment I'm using books, Marine World magazine and you guys to try and 'feel' my way through this....

I pray and I hope ! :D

[Darryl]

Sound practices. :) New you would be :rolleyes:, after all your on the best site to learn. Good luck in the future with your tank B)

[Glenn'n'Emm]

Cheryl

If its any consolation I have had fish in my tank since january i think it was and water plus some rock since the edn of last year.

I had a brown algea bloom, all over the sand and rocks, that went after a bit.

I went away on hols for a week with a hair algea problem, no not me, the tank!!

Got back after a week and no more hair algea, probably thanks to the rowaphos but its gone. What have i got instead, a horrid red algea bloom now!!!

I keep telling Emma that its just a phase but it looks horrible at the moment, still im sure it will clear soon. keep plugging away and dont get disheartened.

HTH

Glenn

PS im not saying youve got to have the brown, red and hair algea but it does seem like they come as a kind of a set in marine tanks. :D :D

[Cheryl]

Thanks Glenn'n'Emm

So far it seams like your going to be right ! :D

The brown algie has nearly gone now .....
(Thanks to the hard work of my 'blue cheek goby')

But the hair alfie is trying to get its roots in ! :wacko:

We've done the same as you and put some phosphate remover in.....
(Fingers crossed)

But thats enough algie for me!!!
'PLEASE'
:(

[MrFish]

But thats enough algie for me!!!
'PLEASE'

No chance :P

[kim]

Hi again.

Load up with the live rock ! Apart from keeping the fish fed and happy, you need the filtration. And don't defer it to buy more appealing stock such as fish.

Reason is that when you add LR you unavoidably add a source of algae nutrients. This isn't because it is bad stuff - it is good - but our tanks are small and little additions that don't matter a bit in the Pacific Ocean matter more.

So until your LR is in and settled, you haven't begun. Every time you add some, you add potential for algae.

Get it over with.

FWIW,

kim

[pingoshea]

Hi,my first few tanks all developed brown algi which seemed to take over,
but as like yours it disapeared. what followed was green algie, which stayed a little longer but that 2 eventually disapeared.
My main reef tank still suffers with a red slime like algie(silica based)
a have rowaphose and activated carbon but it still appears,
The only way i`ve found to sort of eradicate it is to use a net and scoop it out. This problem only appears if i feed my inverts to much.
This feeding seems to be a fine art.
Hope your tank goes well. :D
If you wish to see my tank look in the members tank section. :rolleyes: