New Here - Help with cycle

[Grizz]

That may be Diatoms can you post a pic?

 

[phoenixdark9]

Okay so 50% water change last night, here are tonights readings:

PH 7.8
Ammonia 2.0 ppm
Nitrite 1.0 ppm
Nitrate 15 ppm (a littler darker than the 10, but no near the 20 tonight)

Here are some pictures of the brown/black stuff (don't know why they are upside down)

Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - phoenixdark9's Album: phoenixdark9 - Picture

Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - phoenixdark9's Album: phoenixdark9 - Picture

 

[Grizz]

looks like cyano dont feed so much cut back by half Could also be why your Ammo was so high

 

[Ingy]

If it is cyano, simply cut back on your lighting, or even leave it off for the cycle. As you only have a cuc it shouldn't bother them (especially if there is a window nearby to provide a tiny bit of light). Cyano needs the light and should die off without it.

 

[phoenixdark9]

Would that be your advice as well Grizz?

 

[Grizz]

Cyano is a bacteria i dont think it needs light but it does need uneaten food and slow water flow to grow here's a site that may offer some insight Cyano, Cyanos, Cyanobacteria, Blue-Green Algae, Algae, Red slime Algae, Slime Algae, Slime, Undesirable algae

 

[Sniperhank]

+1 to Grizz.

 

[Ingy]

Cyano bacteria DO use light in the yellow range (I think).

http://www.reeftime.com/reef-articles/reef-health/cyanobacteria-red-slime-algae/48.htm

 

[Pufferlove]

+1 I thought cyano use light at Least that's what I heard

 

[Schism]

Cyano uses light to a small degree. With the nutrients it cant grow so that should be the course of action. Cutting lights may help kill it bit the nutrients that are freed up are readily taken back up by more cyano. Cutting lighting isnt a fix for anything. Usually ends up doing more harm than good.

 

[spoonman]

What did you start this tank with..? Live rock, live sand? I dont see how you can have that much ammonia from the few things that you have in there. I would take the livestock out and cycle with pure ammonia or shrimp. You will spend more in salt and water than what the crabs and snails cost and they will probably die anyway from all the ammonia. Do you see the snails and crabs moving? If one or more have died that could cause the ammonia levels that you are seeing.