Algea ???

[Steven A]

Since I upgraded my lighting there has been some green and brown/rusty stuff gorwing on my base rock. Is this just algea and what should I do just leave it?

 

[Brenden]

How old is the tank? How long are the lights on and what kind of lights are they? How are your water parameters? Do you use RO/DI water?

 

[Steven A]

Well the tank has been set up 1 month now, water parameters are fine, p.h. is stable and lighting was on for 8 hours (normal). I have only notcied it now that I have upgraded my lighting from 14 watts to 44 watts (florescent tubes).

 

[Steven A]

There is no nitrite and no ammonia. However I am unsure on my Nitrate but when my lfs tested it they said it was fine. I do not of yet have a test kit for nitrate lol.

 

[Brenden]

Sounds like diatom bloom. It is a normal process after tank cycles. It will burn itself out. WC's will help. You can also add a cleanup crew to aid in removal. (make sure water parameters are good)

 

[Steven A]

Ok, what should I add regarding cleanup crew. I allready have a hermit crab and my lfs currently do not have any inverts in so i will have to wait. Will waiting be ok?

 

[hackteck]

try liveaquaria.com they have a nice cleanup crew package

 

[Steven A]

I am in uk

 

[Brenden]

Waiting will be fine. You can also lower your lighting time to help.
hackteck: Good suggestion but he is not in the states.

 

[hackteck]

heh oh ok stupid me assumed you where in the usa

 

[Steven A]

My lfs are getting a load of new stock etc ... even corals (for the first time) soon, so I cant wait.

 

[Steven A]

Its fine

 

[Steven A]

Well it is making my 'base rock' look more like live rock lol

 

[Brenden]

We all posted at the same time. Steven do you have a first fish picked out? If you are not adding a fish now you should feed the tank to keep the bacteria thriving. A hermit is not enough bio-load.

 

[Steven A]

So I need to add a fish now, I dont have one picked out (still researhching) and I was going to add my corals first. But I have to wait for the lfs lol.