Cycling, Algae and Liverock Questions

[SPAuthentic]

Hello Everyone,

I'm new to saltwater and my tank is currently is cycling stage.

I've bought live sand and live rock and have had it in my water for a few weeks now.

I'm starting to get some pretty nasty brown algae that is growing on the sand and glass that I've been trying to control daily but its pretty ugly.

A friend of mine told me that it is normal for cycling stage and that it should calm down afterwards but I just wanted to confirm with Reef Frontiers that this is the case.

Also, My liverock is starting to grow this white stuff all over it... I've posted pictures below and wanted to know if anyone could ID this and let me know if this is normal also.

Any information and help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Edit*

Also, I am not using a UV Sterilizer and the water I am using is triple distilled ozone water that I buy from a water treatment place (65 cents a gallon).

 

[baseballkid5]

From what youve said.. Its completely Normal. Just keep up with your water changes and after a few months should be clearing up.. You can take a powerhead to blow some of it off or stir the sand up a little just to keep from settling for long periods of time.

 

[SPAuthentic]

From what youve said.. Its completely Normal. Just keep up with your water changes and after a few months should be clearing up.. You can take a powerhead to blow some of it off or stir the sand up a little just to keep from settling for long periods of time.

Good To Know...

Is the white stuff normal too?

 

[Herefishyfishy]

White stuff is probably tunicate sponges. Good filter feeders and a sign of health. Welcome to the hobby and site.
Take your time, nothing good in reef keeping ever happens fast

 

[NC2WA]

Agree with baseballkid and Herefishyfishy,

First, welcome to the addiction..errr hobby I mean !!

Second, what you are experiencing is completely normal, part of the cycling process for a new tank..everyone I know (including me) goes thru a brown diatom algae bloom cycle...the time period varies..for me it was around 2 wks long.

For saltwater, TIME is your friend..don't rush anything even though the urge will to be buy alot of fish and/or coral...also, you might want to purchase/borrow the following book:

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist

IMO, it explains basic concepts such as pH, temp, salinity, etc. and why this is important to saltwater. I still use this book as a reference from time to time and I've been in the hobby 12+ yrs.

Again, welcome.
Kirk

 

[ac7av]

+1 more
diatom algae sucks but it is normal and should dissipate with time.

NC2WA is the man on a beautiful fish filled tank, you would be wise to take his advice on the addiction. One day I hope to have a tank that look like his pictures.

Very nice looking rock you have. Read threw your other posts.

 

[NC2WA]

Erik,

Thanks for the kind words...I am two fish (scribbled and emperor angels) short of calling it good for fish.
And yes, the addiction continues...